SSAT Reading Refer Vs. Infer



SSAT Refer vs. Infer

Refer = “Find it” question (directly stated in the text)
Infer = “Reason it out” question (text + logic)

1. Refer Questions

Meaning: These ask about something that is directly mentioned in the passage.

  • Common phrasing: “The passage refers to …” or “According to the passage …”

  • The answer is clearly stated in the text, so you can locate the exact line.

Example:
The passage refers to the author’s childhood in order to…

Answer: Look for the part of the text that directly describes the author’s childhood.
👉 In other words, refer questions are fact-finding questions.

2. Infer Questions

Meaning: These ask about something not directly stated but that can be logically concluded from the text.

  • Common phrasing: “It can be inferred that …” or “The author implies …”

  • The text gives hints or evidence, but you must connect ideas to uncover the hidden meaning.

Example:
It can be inferred that the author views technology as…

Even if the passage only says, “Technology is changing our lives rapidly,” you must decide—based on tone and context—whether the author’s view is positive, negative, or neutral.
👉 In other words, infer questions require interpretation and reasoning.

🔎 Comparison Chart

Feature Refer Questions Infer Questions
Basis Directly stated in the passage Logically concluded from the passage
Difficulty Easier (fact-finding) Harder (requires reasoning)
Keywords “According to / The passage states / refers to” “It can be inferred / implied / suggested”
Strategy Locate and restate the exact line Connect ideas → uncover hidden meaning

🚀 Ready?

Go Practice!


SSAT Refer Vs. Infer

  • Refer = 찾기 문제 (텍스트 그대로)

  • Infer = 추론 문제 (텍스트+논리)


1. Refer 문제

의미: 글에 직접적으로 언급된 내용을 묻는 문제.

  • 보통 “The passage refers to …” 또는 “According to the passage …” 같은 식으로 출제됩니다.

  • 근거가 글 속에 명확히 존재하기 때문에, 해당 구절을 찾아 그대로 가져오면 답이 됩니다.

Example: 
The passage refers to the author’s childhood in order to…

  • 정답은 글 속에 나오는 “어린 시절” 관련 구절에서 바로 확인 가능.

  • 즉, 텍스트에 적힌 정보 그대로를 고르는 문제.

 

2. Infer 문제

의미: 글에 직접적으로 쓰여 있지 않지만, 논리적으로 추론할 수 있는 답을 고르는 문제.

  • 보통 “It can be inferred that …” 또는 “The author implies …” 형태로 출제됩니다.

  • 글 속 단어와 문장은 힌트일 뿐, 답은 숨겨진 의미나 논리적 귀결을 찾아야 합니다.

Example: 
It can be inferred that the author views technology as…

  • 글 속에 “Technology is changing our lives rapidly”만 나와 있어도, 전체 문맥을 보고 → 긍정/부정/중립 태도를 추론해야 함.

  • 즉, 직접 말하지 않은 것까지 읽어내야 하는 문제.

 

구분 Refer 문제 Infer 문제
근거 글 속에 직접 언급 글 속에서 논리적 추론
난이도 비교적 쉬움 (찾기 문제) 더 어려움 (생각 문제)
키워드 “According to / The passage states / refers to” “It can be inferred / implied / suggested”
전략 해당 구절을 그대로 찾아서 옮기기 여러 문장 연결 → 숨은 의미 추론

 

 

Go Practice!