ASVAB · Inference and Conclusion

'By the time the hikers reached the summit, the sun had set and the temperature had dropped sharply. They quickly set up their tents and started a fire.' It can be inferred that the hikers:

Correct answer

Needed warmth and shelter for the night

  1. A Were not prepared for the trip
  2. B Needed warmth and shelter for the night
  3. C Planned to hike back down immediately
  4. D Were lost

Why this is the answer

INFERENCE: The passage doesn't state directly that the hikers needed warmth and shelter, but it can be INFERRED — they set up tents and started a fire after dark as the temperature dropped, indicating they needed warmth and shelter for the night. ASVAB strategy: inference questions require reading 'between the lines' using clues. The actions (tents, fire, cold, nightfall) logically imply preparing to stay warm overnight. The passage gives no evidence they were unprepared or lost.
Source: ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension — Inference

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