When readers comprehend text, they must connect information in the text with prior text and information in their background knowledge. In other words, drawing inferences during reading is essential for successful text comprehension. My research program investigates the neural processing of different types of inferences during text comprehension. In this talk, I will present research findings that tell us more about the role of the left and right hemisphere during language processing. In addition, I will discuss how functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) is a useful tool that enables us to learn more about the specific neural substrates involved throughout the entire process of comprehending a text. This area of research suggests that the two hemispheres of the brain, and specific areas within each hemisphere, play important and yet different roles during text comprehension. In addition, this research area provides evidence that both text factors and reader characteristics influence the neural processing of inferences during reading.