Making Inferences & Predictions

Making Inferences & Predictions in Literature

How to read between the lines.

Multiple Choice

The word "infer" is a

• noun

• adjective

• verb

Multiple Choice

Making a good inference means using the information you have to draw a logical conclusion, by using the evidence in the text to support your ideas.

• True

• False

How to make an inference & read between the lines

• Look at the clues (What happened in the text)

• What do you already know about this information?

• What are some inferences that logically make sense?

• Which one of your inferences makes the MOST sense, and is backed up by EVIDENCE.

Read the Story: What's Happening?

Mike got out of the driver seat of the classic car. He looked at the mailbox and then at the bumper. The mailbox was smashed and bent. The shiny chrome bumper had a dent about the size of a football around the passenger side. Mike shook his head and got back in the driver seat. He knew what he had to do. He didn't want to do it, but he had to. He drove back home and sat in the driveway for a few minutes, holding his head in his hands. Mike's dad came out of the house carrying a black garbage bag. He smiled and waved at Mike as he passed the driver side of the car. Then he looked again as he walked past the passenger side of the vehicle. His mouth dropped open and he let go of the garbage bag. 

Open Ended

What happened in the story?

Read the Story: Make an Inference

Mike got out of the driver seat of the classic car. He looked at the mailbox and then at the bumper. The mailbox was smashed and bent. The shiny chrome bumper had a dent about the size of a football around the passenger side. Mike shook his head and got back in the driver seat. He knew what he had to do. He didn't want to do it, but he had to. He drove back home and sat in the driveway for a few minutes, holding his head in his hands. Mike's dad came out of the house carrying a black garbage bag. He smiled and waved at Mike as he passed the driver side of the car. Then he looked again as he walked past the passenger side of the vehicle. His mouth dropped open and he let go of the garbage bag. 

Open Ended

In the text it says, "[Mike] knew what he had to do." What did Mike have to do? _______________

Open Ended

Which part of the text supports your claim?

Supporting Evidence

Mike got out of the driver seat of the classic car. He looked at the mailbox and then at the bumper. The mailbox was smashed and bent. The shiny chrome bumper had a dent about the size of a football around the passenger side. Mike shook his head and got back in the driver seat. He knew what he had to do. He didn't want to do it, but he had to. He drove back home and sat in the driveway for a few minutes, holding his head in his hands. Mike's dad came out of the house carrying a black garbage bag. He smiled and waved at Mike as he passed the driver side of the car. Then he looked again as he walked past the passenger side of the vehicle. His mouth dropped open and he let go of the garbage bag.