Reading Spanish Explanations That Separate Evidence from Speculation

In this reading lesson, you will identify what an explanatory text states as evidence, what interpretation the writer builds from that evidence, and which hypotheses remain uncertain. Your task is to evaluate the linguistic support inside the text, not replace the reading with your personal opinion about the topic.

Read the explanation

Evidence explicitly stated

Evidence 1:

— The average number of users between six and eight has increased from 85 to 120 people.

Evidence 2:

— The number of study places has not changed.

These claims are attributed to recorded entry data and the known number of study places.

Interpretation supported but limited

Text:

— This may explain part of the increase in waiting times.

The — may explain part explicitly limits the claim.

Unresolved alternative

Text:

— We do not know whether it is the only cause.

The text leaves other explanations open.

Hypothesis without direct supporting data in the report

Hypothesis:

— The new schedule of nearby universities could also have an influence.

Limitation:

— The report does not include data about university schedules.

The writer therefore labels the idea as a hypothesis rather than a confirmed conclusion.

Observation versus formal measurement

Observation:

— Two employees say they have observed more laptops during the afternoon.

Limitation:

— No formal count has been carried out.

The observation may motivate further investigation but does not quantify the change.

Probability markers

— may explain
— could influence
— another possibility is
— should be considered a hypothesis
— does not yet allow us to state

Do not strengthen the writer's claim

Text says:

— The new university schedule could have an influence.

— The new university schedule is the cause of the problem.

Do not weaken confirmed evidence into opinion

If the text states that the recorded average rose from 85 to 120, summarize that as reported data rather than “the writer feels that there are more people.”

Evaluate support inside the text

Strongly supported within the text:

There are more recorded users in the stated time period.

Partially supported interpretation:

Greater demand with unchanged capacity may explain some waiting.

Speculative alternative:

University schedules or more remote workers may contribute, but the text lacks direct measurement for those explanations.

A practical evidence-reading method

Underline claims tied to data, observation, or a named source.
Identify the writer's interpretation of that evidence.
Notice probability markers and limiting words.
Identify alternative explanations that remain unresolved.
Distinguish informal observation from formal measurement.
Do not strengthen or weaken the text's level of certainty.
Judge how well each claim is supported by the evidence the text itself provides.

From Evidence and Speculation to Completed Events in the Subjunctive

You can now explain what an informational text confirms and what it only proposes as a hypothesis. The next lesson teaches the present perfect subjunctive for present or future reactions, doubts, and evaluations about an earlier completed event.