Here's why:
* Inference is the process of drawing conclusions based on evidence and reasoning. You use clues and information to figure something out that is not explicitly stated.
* Direct statement means something is clearly and explicitly stated.
Example:
* Direct statement: "The cat is on the mat."
* Inference: "The cat is probably sleepy because it's lying on the mat."
The direct statement tells you the cat is on the mat, but the inference draws a conclusion about the cat's state based on that information.