Final answer:
An inference is a conclusion that a reader draws based on evidence in a text. Readers use clues from the text and their own background knowledge to make inferences about what is not explicitly stated.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inference is a conclusion that a reader draws based on evidence in a text. When making an inference, a reader uses clues from the text and their own background knowledge to fill in gaps or make predictions about what is not explicitly stated. For example, if a character in a story mentions that they are feeling nervous and looking over their shoulder, a reader might infer that the character is expecting something or someone to appear.
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