Making Inferences - Quiz

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Luxembourg is a country wedged between Belgium, Germany, and France. The school system there is vastly different from the system in the U.S. For one, elementary school lasts for six years, not including Kindergarten, and students then have a choice of several tracks to pursue. Students start first grade when they are six years old, and if they plan to go to a university, they will have to complete seven years of high school. Typically, students who graduate from high school speak a minimum of four languages fluently.

The population is composed of 53.3 % Luxembourgers and 46.7% foreigners. 71% of all workers in the country are foreigners, though not all foreign workers live in the country. People from more than 170 nationalities live in Luxembourg, and it is normal for teachers in the larger cities to have children from more than 10 different nationalities in the classroom.

The country itself is roughly the size of Rhode Island, and much of its income is generated by financial institutions such as banks and insurance agencies. Luxembourg offers financial advantages to companies willing to relocate to the country, and it is also the seat of the European institutions.The country’s main trading partners are Germany, France and Belgium.  

Luxembourg is the wealthiest country in the European Union, and its citizens enjoy the highest standard of living in the EU - 35% above EU average.

1. 1. What can you infer from the statement that students who plan to go to university have to have at least thirteen years of schooling?
1. Students who do not plan to attend university have more years of schooling
2. Students who do not plan to attend university have fewer years of schooling
3. Students who plan to attend university fail classes at a higher rate than other students
4. Students who plan to attend university are usually foreigners

1. What can you infer from the following statement and the preceding information?

71% of all workers in the country are foreigners, though not all foreign workers live in the country.

1. The calculation has to be incorrect
2. A lot of foreign workers work from home
3. Since the country is so small, many workers cross the border to work in Luxembourg.
4. Many Luxembourgers do not work.
1. What can you infer from the following statement and the other information in the passage?

Typically, students who graduate from high school speak a minimum of four languages fluently.

1. Students already speak several languages when they start school.
2. Students in Luxembourg are more intelligent than other students.
3. Speaking several languages is important because teachers need to communicate with their students.
4. Students who do not attend high school may not be able to speak at least four languages fluently.

1. What can you infer from the passage?
1. Luxembourg’s economy is mostly based on farming
2. Luxembourg’s economy is mostly based on heavy industry
3. Luxembourg is a poor country.
4. Luxembourg’s high standard of living makes it an attractive place for immigrants.

Read the following passage and answer the question.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones are celebrating their anniversary in a restaurant with a romantic dinner. Suddenly, Mrs. Jones’ friend Mrs. Jackson comes up to them, She is smiling broadly and saying, “I did not expect to see you here! I am here with my husband and I thought it would be nice if we could all sit together! Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Mr. Jones is glancing at his wife, and Mrs. Jones doesn’t quite know what to say.

Mrs. Jackson carries on, “ I really didn’t feel comfortable inviting you guys over to the house again, but this is a nice coincidence! After all, a long time has passed since….” and she stops talking.

1. Of course, we have no real idea how this situation will continue, but we can infer:

1. I) that Mr. and Mrs. Jones do not want to sit with Mr. and Mrs. Jackson
2. II) that Mrs. Jackson has organized the romantic dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Jones

III) that something unpleasant happened last time the couples were together

1. IV) that the Jones’ have missed the Jacksons and are happy to see them

1. I) only
2. II) and III)
3. I) and III)
4. III) and IV)

Read the following passage and answer the question.

You are riding on the train, and across from you is a man with a little girl. The little girl is screaming loudly, and the man tries to calm her. But no matter what he does, the little girl keeps screaming.

1. What inferences can you draw?
1. She has been kidnapped.
2. She is tired.
3. She is in pain.
4. There is not enough information to draw a conclusion.