11+ inference questions: how to read between the lines

Published 24 October 2026 by 11+ Texts

What is an inference question?

An inference question asks about something the writer implies rather than states. The answer isn't sitting in the passage waiting to be copied. Your child has to put clues together, such as a character's actions, words or the way something is described, and reach a sensible conclusion.

How to spot one

Inference questions often include phrases like these:

• "Why do you think…"
• "How do you think … felt?"
• "What does this suggest about…"
• "What impression do we get of…"
• "Explain how you know…"

The Point, Evidence, Explain method

1. Point: say what you think in one clear sentence.
2. Evidence: quote a short phrase from the text that supports it.
3. Explain: say how that phrase shows your point.

A worked example

Imagine a passage that says: Tom checked the lock on the door for the third time, then pulled the curtains tight and sat very still, listening. A question asks: "How do you think Tom is feeling?"

Weak answer: "He is scared."

Stronger answer: "Tom seems frightened that someone might come in (point), because he 'checked the lock on the door for the third time' and sat 'very still, listening' (evidence). Checking the lock again and again suggests he doesn't feel safe, and listening so carefully suggests he is expecting to hear someone outside (explain)."

The stronger answer earns its marks because every part is tied to something in the text.

Common mistakes

• Retelling the story instead of answering the question.
• Using outside knowledge ("I know people do that when…") rather than evidence from the passage.
• Quoting too much. A few precise words are better than a whole paragraph.
• Stopping after the point. For a 2-mark question, the explanation is usually where the second mark comes from.

How to practise at home

Inference is a habit more than a trick. While reading together, pause and ask "How is he feeling now? Which words tell you?" Older, classic stories are especially good for this because characters' motives are often hinted at. Every 11+ Texts study pack ends with a 4-mark "reading between the lines" section, and the answer guide gives model answers to compare against.