An inference is best defined as which of the following?

• A. Data without evidence
• B. Evidence and reasoning
• C. A personal guess
• D. A direct observation

Answer: (B)

An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence using reasoning. It means you interpret what you observe by connecting clues to what you already know, going beyond the surface data to make a logical claim. For example, if you see dark clouds, a drop in temperature, and hear distant thunder, you infer that a storm is approaching; you’re using both the observable clues and your knowledge about weather to reach a conclusion. This is different from simply stating data without evidence, which would be raw facts with no interpretation; or making a personal guess, which isn’t supported by reasoning; or describing a direct observation, which is just what you see or measure without drawing broader conclusions. So the best definition is a conclusion that relies on evidence plus reasoning.