Critical Reading & Inference
Topic overview
Critical reading and inference are the core of LNAT Section A. The passages are mostly discursive texts on social, ethical, legal and political topics, and the questions test whether you can accurately grasp the main point, distinguish argument from evidence, make necessary (rather than excessive) inferences, understand the meaning of words and phrases in context, and judge the author's tone and stance. Key mindset: answer solely on the basis of the passage itself, without bringing in external common knowledge or personal views.
Key concepts
An argumentative passage usually revolves around one main conclusion, with the remaining sentences as evidence supporting it. Techniques for finding the conclusion:
- Ask yourself 'which sentence does the author most want me to accept?'
- The conclusion often appears at the beginning or the end, preceded by 'therefore', 'so', 'thus', or at a turning point after the build-up.
- Evidence answers 'why'; the conclusion is the sentence supported by the evidence.
Key points
- ◆For main-idea questions, choose "the author's position", not a particular piece of evidence or detail
- ◆Beware of overly strong options (containing always / only / never when the passage does not say so)
- ◆Options that paraphrase correctly often express the same meaning in different words
Inference questions ask "what can necessarily be concluded from the passage". The correct answer must be supported by the information in the passage and must not go beyond its scope.
- Correct inference = explicitly stated in the passage or logically necessarily implied.
- Incorrect options: not mentioned in the passage (external knowledge), over-extrapolation, presenting "possible" as "necessary".
Key points
- ◆Choose only what can be directly supported from the original text
- ◆"Possibly true" does not equal "inferable"
- ◆Do not use your own common sense to fill in content the passage does not state
Tests the meaning of a word or phrase in the context of that sentence, not the dictionary meaning. Method: substitute each option back into the original sentence and see which best fits the author's intention and the tone of the context. Figurative expressions (such as 'a shield', 'a mask', 'a shout carries further than an argument') require understanding their extended meaning.
Key points
- ◆First look at the sentences before and after the word to pin down the context
- ◆For metaphors, take the extended meaning, not the literal one
- ◆Choose the interpretation consistent with the author's overall position
To judge the author's attitude towards a topic: agreement, reserved scepticism, criticism, neutral doubt, etc. Signal words: 'yet', 'but', 'however' (contrast, often introducing the author's true attitude); 'there is something to this...but' (concede first, then question = reserved scepticism).
Key points
- ◆Concession + contrast often indicates "conditional doubt"
- ◆The author's position is not necessarily equal to either side in the passage; it may be "suspending judgement"
- ◆Pay attention to irony and hedging tone
Worked examples
Try each example yourself before checking the explanation.
Passage: 'Convenient charging, improved range, falling prices — therefore electric vehicles will eventually replace petrol cars.' Which sentence is the conclusion?
The article says "most accidents happen on rainy days". Can one infer that "driving on a rainy day will definitely lead to an accident"?
Ready to practise this topic?
Practise the available questions for this topic. Difficulty labels are platform references.
Practise Critical Reading & Inference →