Readers use all of the options you provided to make inferences about a text, but primarily, they rely on a. their life experiences, b. connections to other texts, and c. evidence from the text.
- Life experiences help readers relate personally to the material.
- Connections to other texts allow readers to draw parallels or contrasts which can inform their understanding.
- Evidence from the text provides a basis for making logical conclusions.
While d. their own opinions might play a role in interpretation, it is less about making inferences and more about personal viewpoints on the text. Ultimately, the most critical choices for making inferences are a blend of life experiences, text connections, and textual evidence.