Statement and Inferences Cheat Sheet
31 Oct 2026
Quick answer
A quick revision cheat sheet on statement and inferences for SSC, Banking, Railway and state exams. It covers what an inference is, the five-way grading from definitely true to definitely false, how to judge each inference from the passage alone, and the common traps, with a worked example to revise quickly before the exam.
Statement and Inferences Cheat Sheet
Quick Revision
An inference is a conclusion you reach from the facts in a passage. Here you grade each inference on a five-point scale, judging only from what the passage says.
1. The Five Grades
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Definitely true | The passage clearly proves it |
| Probably true | Likely, but not certain, from the passage |
| Data inadequate | The passage gives too little to decide |
| Probably false | Likely untrue, but not certain |
| Definitely false | The passage clearly contradicts it |
2. How to Judge
Use only the passage. Do not add outside knowledge.
Ask: does the passage prove it, suggest it, say nothing,
suggest against it, or contradict it?3. Watch For
- An inference the passage neither supports nor denies → data inadequate;
- An inference using all / none / always that the passage only partly backs → shift it toward probably;
- A direct restatement of a passage fact → definitely true.
4. Worked Example
Passage: "The city received record rainfall this year, and several low-lying areas were flooded."
- I. Some areas of the city were under water this year. → Definitely true (stated).
- II. The city will flood again next year. → Data inadequate (the passage says nothing about next year).
5. Exam Quick Tips
- "Data inadequate" is the right answer far more often than students expect — use it when the passage is silent.
- Distinguish definitely (proved) from probably (merely likely).
- Never bring in news or general knowledge beyond the passage.
Keep revising with the rest of the Reasoning section:
How this was made: Drafted with AI assistance; spot-checked by the editor on 31 October 2026.