CONCLUSION,

INFERENCES,
ASSUMPTION.
ELC501 – ENGLISH FOR CRITICAL
ACADEMIC READING
CONCLUSION
• A LOGICAL position/judgment/opinion that we create based on facts, evidence, and observation.
• It has to be ACCURATE
• In a way, something we DECIDE after thinking about all the information we have.
• Tip: Ask the question ‘Why’ after deciding on a conclusion. It would be best if you got its answer
from the given passage.
• For example:
• “I have an exam tomorrow, but I don’t have a pen to write the exam.”
• Conclusion: I will either buy or borrow a pen
• This is what we usually do in this situation

• I want to go out, but the weather is so warm

• Conclusion: I will go out with a pair of umbrella to prevent from the sun.
INFERENCES
• Based on facts, evidence, observations, AND prior knowledge/experience.
• It could be ACCURATE or INACCURATE; LOGICAL or ILLOGICAL
• For example: A stray dog runs towards you with his teeth out, growling and barking.
• Inference: The dog is about to attack you (based on observation and experience
• It may or may not be true.
• Example: It is very dark outside, with winds and dark clouds
• Inference: It will rain heavily soon.
CONCLUSION vs. INFERENCES
• CONCLUSION – more specific
• INFERENCES – more general
• EXAMPLE: India has fought many wars with Pakistan and China. There are tense situations even
now on India’s northern borders. The exact border line is often challenged by these countries. A
lack of properly marked borders is also an issue with Bangladesh
• CONCLUSION: India does not have good relationships with its neighbors.
• INFERENCE: Unclear borders may lead to unhealthy relationships between countries that share similar
borders.
ASSUMPTION
• What we believe about a situation/ thing/ the world.
• From this belief, we will be making assumptions.
• For example:
• A religious person assumes everything happens due to the will of God
• A racist person assumes everything occurs due to a person’s race or ethnic group, not individual actions.

• EXAMPLE: Seeing someone driving fast and recklessly on the road.

• CONCLUSION: He must be in a rush.
• INFERENCE: He must be late somewhere.
• ASSUMPTION: He needs to attend an important meeting/family emergencies

• EXAMPLE 2: Seeing someone sad with red eyes and tissues.

• CONCLUSION: He must just have cried.
• INFERENCE: He must be having problems in his life
• ASSUMPTION: He has financial /relationship issues.