Which of the following describes an inference?

1. A definition of an important term in a text
2. Evidence from the text that supports a conclusion
3. Information directly provided in a text
4. A guess made about what a text is saying

2. Evidence from the text that supports a conclusion

The correct answer is option 2: Evidence from the text that supports a conclusion. An inference involves using clues or evidence from a text to draw a logical conclusion or make an educated guess about something that is not explicitly stated. It requires reading between the lines and using reasoning to reach a conclusion based on the information provided in the text.

An inference is a conclusion or interpretation drawn from evidence or information presented in a text. It goes beyond the directly stated information and involves making a logical guess or deduction based on the available evidence.

To determine which of the given options describes an inference, we can analyze each option:

1. A definition of an important term in a text: This option refers to a direct explanation of a term in the text, rather than drawing a conclusion based on evidence. Therefore, it does not describe an inference.

2. Evidence from the text that supports a conclusion: This option accurately describes an inference. It involves using evidence from the text to support a conclusion, indicating that this is the correct answer.

3. Information directly provided in a text: This option refers to the information explicitly stated in the text, not a conclusion drawn from evidence. Hence, it does not describe an inference.

4. A guess made about what a text is saying: This option accurately describes an inference. It involves making a logical guess or deduction about the meaning of the text.

In conclusion, option 2 ("Evidence from the text that supports a conclusion") and option 4 ("A guess made about what a text is saying") both describe inferences.