Learning about the character'ss traits in The Hobbit will also help the reader make what about the plot?

I am a little confused in some study questions I've been given. Will learning about a character's traits also help me make inferences about the plot. Another question is because the story elements interest, readers are able to infer what will happen next. I want to use the word "infer" here as well but don't believe both answers can be the same.