Drawing conclusions from limited information

Drawing conclusions

By Dave B

How to draw conclusions

1. Read the passage looking for clues.

2. Use your background knowledge about the world.

3. Narrow down the possible answers.

4. Make a good guess!

Read the following, looking for clues

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off before he went in the front door.  Alice would be very angry if he took even one step inside with the boots. He then took off his dusty overalls (ثياب العمل) and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag on the front steps for him every afternoon before he got home.  On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower like she had asked him. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said. 

Multiple Choice

What kind of job does Paul likely have?

• office

• factory

• construction

• farmer

Multiple Choice

Why does Paul have to take a shower before eating?

• So he's not dirty while eating

• So he doesn't smell while eating

• Alice is mean and angry.

• To be a good example to the children

Multiple Choice

What is Alice mostly like?

• kind

• angry

• doesn't like dirty things

• lazy

Multiple Choice

What relationship do Paul and Alice likely have?

• Husband and wife

• Employer/employee

• Two roommates

• Landlady and renter

Multiple Choice

Out of 100 (100 is completely sure), how sure are you about their relationship?

• 100

• 75

• 50

• 25

Read the following, looking for clues

​Crack!  Thunder struck and rain poured.  Max stared sadly out the window, trying to have happy thoughts, but failing badly. He was beginning to lose control.  Dropping the football from his hand, Max broke out into full cry.  His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max.  We’ll just find something else to do.”  She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich.  Max shouted, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” and stomped his little foot angrily.  A flash from the sky lit up the living room.  Boom!  Mom sighed.

Multiple Choice

What is Max's probable age?

• 3

• 8

• 12

• 16

Multiple Choice

Why is Max upset?

• He wanted to take a nap.

• He wanted to have a snack

• He wanted to climb a tree.

• He wanted to play football.

Multiple Choice

What was Mom planning to do today?

• Have a nice picnic time with Max

• Watch Max play outside

• Watch Max from inside the house

• Enjoy the rainy weather

Read the following, looking for clues

“Tommy!”  Mom called out as she walked in the front door.  “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help bringing the groceries inside, especially the icecream.”  There was still no reply.  Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed broken glass from the big window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there.  “You’re in big trouble, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone, although his phone was on the table.

Multiple Choice

What happened to the window?

• Strong wind broke the window.

• A bird broke the window.

• Tommy broke the window.

• Tommy's friends broke the window.

Multiple Choice

Why did Tommy leave?

• To get help from policemen

• To get help from his friends

• To avoid getting in trouble

• To get supplies to fix the problem

Multiple Choice

What's the next thing that will likely happen?

• Tommy will fix the window.

• Mom will bring in the rest of the groceries.

• Mom will look for Tommy.

• Mom will clean up the broken glass.

Read the following, looking for clues

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face.  The sunlight was warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday.  Having trouble opening her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Oh, no!”  Cassie jumped out of bed, quickly put on the first uniform she could find, brushed her teeth in 10 seconds, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door. 

Multiple Choice

What problem is Cassie having?

• She slept in.

• She's late for school.

• She was lazy and took too long gteting ready.

• Cassie's parents are teaching her a lesson.

Multiple Choice

Where is Cassie probably going?

• Elementary school

• High school

• Friend's house

• Her job

Multiple Choice

What is Cassie's probable age?

• 5

• 10

• 16

• 21

Adapted from http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/reading-comprehension-worksheets/inferences-worksheets/