What is drawing a conclusion in reading?

• A. A direct quote from the text.
• B. An inference based on information in the text.
• C. A guess not supported by any evidence.
• D. A restatement of the author’s main idea.

Answer: (B)

Drawing a conclusion means using clues from the text and what you already know to decide something that the author doesn’t state directly. It’s an evidence-based step where you combine details from the reading with reasoning to reach a logical interpretation. That matches the choice described as an inference based on information in the text. It’s different from quoting exact words, which would just repeat text; it’s different from guessing without support; and it’s not just restating the main idea, which is a summary of what the author says rather than what you infer from clues in the story. For example, if a character keeps glancing at a clock, sighing, and tidgeting with a bag, you might infer they’re worried about being late or something important happening—that conclusion comes from the details in the text plus your reasoning.