what does explicit mean?

The term "explicit" means information that is stated directly and clearly, leaving no room for ambiguity or uncertainty. Therefore, your first option—"information that is stated directly"—is the correct interpretation of "explicit."

what is an inference?

an idea that an author explicitly states
a conclusion based on what an author states and does not state
a detail the author provides in a text
a hint an author gives in the story

An inference is best described as "a conclusion based on what an author states and does not state." It involves drawing logical conclusions or interpretations from the information presented in a text, using context and implied meanings.

how does textual evidence help a reader make an inference?

readers restate the textual evidence of a story to make an inference.
readers analyze the details explicitly stated in a text to make an inference.
readers identify textual evidence to make the story more personal in order to make an inference.
readers eliminate the details implicitly stated in a text in order to make an inferene

Textual evidence helps a reader make an inference by enabling readers to analyze the details explicitly stated in a text to make an inference. This process involves examining the clues provided in the text to draw conclusions about what is not directly stated. Those details serve as the foundation for making informed inferences about characters, themes, or events.