Reading Comprehension

When the question says "according to the passage " / "The Passage mentions ..."
Will the answer be stated explicitly in the passage or do we have to read between the Lines .

When the question asks "The passage implies ... "
"The Passage suggests ... "
Is this an Inference question ?

MGMAT RC Guide says that the Inferences usually are restricted to whats mentioned in the Passage and they are not very big inferences
do we have to read between the lines for the answer to an Inference question or will the answer be stated right there in the passage .Basically what i am asking is do we have to look at other ways in which the statement in the passage can be interpreted .
For Example in the OG 12 .

14. According to the passage, consumers began to
develop a preference for VCRs in the VHS format
because they believed which of the following?
(A) VCRs in the VHS format were technically better
than competing format VCRs.
(B) VCRs in the VHS format were less expensive
than competing format VCRs.
(C) VHS was the first standard format for VCRs.
(D) VHS prerecorded videotapes were more
available than those in Beta format.
(E) VCRs in the Beta format would soon cease to
be produced.

The Passage where the content related to prerecorded tapes is mentioned is
Despite Beta's substantial technological head
start and the fact that VHS was neither technically
better nor cheaper than Beta, developers of VHS
quickly turned a slight early lead in sales into a
dominant position. Strategic alignments with
producers of prerecorded tapes reinforced the VHS
advantage. The perception among consumers that
prerecorded tapes were more available in VHS
format further expanded VHS's share of the market.
By the end of the 1980s, Beta was no longer in
production.