When drawing conclusions, look for words and phrases in the passage that express the writer’s viewpoint.
The writer sometimes uses certain phrases to express his or her point of view.
The writer’s point of view can be introduced with phrases such as: as contrary to, on the other hand, or unfortunately.
You can search for phrases like the above in reading passages on your exam to help you answer questions on drawing conclusions.
In addition to searching for phrases, you should also use deductive reasoning when drawing conclusions on your reading test.
Deductive reasoning means that you need to draw a specific conclusion based on a general assertion from the passage.
Drawing conclusions therefore requires you to use the critical analysis and reasoning skill of deductive logic.
Drawing Conclusions − Passage 1
American students are falling behind students from other countries in achievement in the subject of math. Compared to student results from 64 other countries participating in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the math scores for United States’ students were below average when the PISA was introduced in the year 2000. There has been very little change in PISA math results for United States’ students ever since then. The lack of improvement in U.S. PISA scores in math does not bode well for the future performance of United States’ students at college.
We can conclude from the information in this passage that:
A. More countries will participate in the Program for International Student Assessment in the future.
B. United States’ students perform better than students from other countries in the subject of science.
C. Math scores for American students will fall in the future.
D. Math is the most important academic skill for American students.
E. The author believes that math scores on the PISA test are a useful predictor of student success at college.
The general assertion in this passage is found in the last sentence, which states: The lack of improvement in U.S. PISA scores in math does not bode well for the future performance of United States’ students at college.
Bode means portend or predict, so we can understand that the author is making a general assertion about the future performance of American students at college.
Since the author is making a prediction based on the PISA scores in math, we can conclude that the author believes that the PISA test in math is a valid basis for making these prognostications.
So, the correct answer is E.
Drawing Conclusions − Passage 2
Staging a musical can be a risky and daunting experience. Lighting, choreography, singing, accompaniment, and sound systems all play an important part in the ultimate success or failure of the production. Very few forms of entertainment require delivery to a live audience using such a complex combination of creative elements. Musicals are perhaps the most expensive type of live stage productions, and a large-scale production will need to be sold out for several months in order to make a profit.
Based on the information contained in the passage, what is a likely conclusion regarding the production of musicals on stage?
A. Success or failure of the musical production is measured in monetary terms.
B. One needs personal experience of performing on stage in order to be able to comment on the subject.
C. It is difficult to allocate the available funding among the lighting, choreography, singing, accompaniment, and sound systems when producing a musical.
D. Audience reaction to a musical production can be fickle and unpredictable.
E. Singers and actors in musicals are more creative than singers and actors in other types of stage productions.
The author makes the general assertions that “Musicals are perhaps the most expensive type of live stage productions, and a large-scale production will need to be sold out for several months in order to make a profit.”
From the use of the words expensive and profit in this general statement, we can make the specific conclusion that the author is defining success in monetary terms.
So, the correct answer is A.