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ASVAB · Inference and Conclusion

'Despite studying for weeks, Maria felt her heart racing as she opened the exam booklet. She took a deep breath and began.' It can be inferred that Maria:

Correct answer

Felt nervous about the exam

  1. A Did not study at all
  2. B Felt nervous about the exam
  3. C Was certain she would fail
  4. D Forgot about the exam

Why this is the answer

INFERENCE: Maria's racing heart and need to take a deep breath imply she felt NERVOUS about the exam, even though she had studied. ASVAB strategy: infer the unstated meaning from clues. 'Heart racing' and 'took a deep breath' are physical signs of nervousness/anxiety. The passage says she studied for weeks (so 'did not study' is wrong) and gives no evidence she was certain of failing or forgot. The logical inference is nervousness.
Source: ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension — Inference

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