Close Reading

When reading a good piece of writing, you may find yourself making assumptions about certain ideas or feelings that are not explicitly stated in the passage. These assumptions are usually not unfounded, but are based on the reader’s understanding of a character’s thoughts and personality. People rarely state exactly how they feel, but we can understand people’s emotions and feelings through body language, tone, and prior interactions. In a piece of writing, when the reader “reads between the lines” to come to an understanding about a character or event, it is known as an inference. Inferences can usually be backed up by evidence in the passage, but will likely not be stated outright in the passage.

The following passage is a sample passage from the ACT Reading test, followed by Close Reading questions.

Even though an inference is an educated guess, you should still be able to find evidence to support your inference in the passage. The first paragraph (lines 1-17) of the passage talks about how Abshu uses his talents as a playwright and his position as head of the community center to bring Shakespeare to the “young, gifted, and black” children of Brewster Place, and to broaden their horizons.

In particular, lines 11-17 suggest that by Abshu broadening the children’s horizons, there “might be enough room for some of them to slip through and see what the world had waiting.”

This has the implication that the children are likely from a less well-off neighborhood where it may be difficult to have a positive vision of the future. This evidence supports answer choice H. There is no evidence in the passage that suggests he has the intention of bringing his family back together under one roof, seeing the children become interested in the dramatic arts rather than sports, or opening other community centers across the state.