Explicit and Implicit Information

Distinguish what a text states directly from what it only suggests.

Explicit information is stated directly in the text; you can point to the exact words. Implicit information is suggested but not stated; you must infer it. Test questions use both. 'According to the passage' usually asks for explicit information. 'The passage suggests' or 'it can be inferred' asks for implicit information. Read: 'The bakery opened at six. By seven, the line stretched around the block, and by nine, the shelves were empty. ' Explicit: the bakery opened at six; the shelves were empty by nine.

Implicit: the bakery is very popular, and it probably did not bake enough to meet demand. Mixing these up causes errors. If a question asks what the passage states and you choose an inference, you may be marked wrong even if your inference is reasonable. If a question asks what is suggested and you choose a stated fact, you have missed the deeper point. Always check which kind the question wants.

• 1Explicit information is stated directly.
• 2Implicit information is suggested and must be inferred.
• 3'According to' asks for explicit; 'suggests' asks for implicit.