Making Inferences

Making Inferences

Inferences

Readers must pay close attention when they are reading an informational text. The author will sometimes directly state all of the information that a reader needs in order to understand a text. Often a reader must make inferences as they are reading.

Making Inferences

An inference is a logical conclusion based on evidence in the text, as well as the reader's own knowledge.

An inference will never be directly stated in the text. There should be evidence in the text to support any inference being made.

​

Read the following text:

People had been attempting to create a mobile or wireless telephone since the early 1900s. Phones that could make calls from cars existed as early as the 1940s. Only a small percentage of the population used early versions of car phones. Companies continued to work on the development of a completely mobile phone. In the 1970s, a phone company employee made a call to a rival company from a wireless phone. This was considered the first completely mobile phone call made in the United States.

Multiple Choice

One inference that can be made is that companies knew there would be interest in a mobile or wireless phone.

What evidence supports this inference?

• "Only a small percentage of the population used early versions of car phones"

• "Companies continued to work on the development of a completely mobile phone."

• "This was considered the first completely mobile phone call made in the United States."

Multiple Choice

Which of the following inferences is supported by evidence in the paragraph?

People had been attempting to create a mobile or wireless telephone since the early 1900s. Phones that could make calls from cars existed as early as the 1940s. Only a small percentage of the population used early versions of car phones. Companies continued to work on the development of a completely mobile phone. In the 1970s, a phone company employee made a call to a rival company from a wireless phone. This was considered the first completely mobile phone call made in the United States.

• The development of mobile phones was a quick and inexpensive process.

• Car phones were too expensive for many people.

• Only one company was interested in the development of a mobile phone.

• It was unlikely that many people would be interested in purchasing a mobile phone.

The first truly mobile phone call was made in the 1970s. It would take years before that technology was made available to the average customer. Mobile phones began to be sold by several different companies in the 1980s. The first cell phones that were available for sale were heavy, with some weighing over two pounds. Their battery life left a lot to be desired. Some of the first cell phones took around ten hours to charge and could only be used for thirty minutes. The security of calls made from cell phones was also a concern. It was very easy for people to use a scanner in order to listen in on calls made on some of the first cell phones. The technology of cell phones eventually began to advance. Cellular networks soon became more reliable and secure. Cell phones quickly became smaller and cheaper. Cell phones also began to offer a longer lasting battery. What was once considered a luxury item for the very wealthy soon became available to all consumers. Despite this, cell phones were not considered a necessity throughout the 1980s and 1990s and did not replace landlines.

Multiple Choice

Which quote from the passage BEST supports the inference that cell phone service providers knew providing a secure line was important to customers?

• "...it was easy for people to use a scanner in order to listen in on phone calls..."

• "The technology of cell phones eventually began to advance."

• "Cellular networks soon became more reliable and secure."

• "Cell phones quickly became smaller and cheaper."

Multiple Choice

What inference can be made about landlines?

The first truly mobile phone call was made in the 1970s. It would take years before that technology was made available to the average customer. Mobile phones began to be sold by several different companies in the 1980s. The first cell phones that were available for sale were heavy, with some weighing over two pounds. Their battery life left a lot to be desired. Some of the first cell phones took around ten hours to charge and could only be used for thirty minutes. The security of calls made from cell phones was also a concern. It was very easy for people to use a scanner in order to listen in on calls made on some of the first cell phones. The technology of cell phones eventually began to advance. Cellular networks soon became more reliable and secure. Cell phones quickly became smaller and cheaper. Cell phones also began to offer a longer lasting battery. What was once considered a luxury item for the very wealthy soon became available to all consumers. Despite this, cell phones were not considered a necessity throughout the 1980s and 1990s and did not replace landlines.

• During the 1980s and 1990s, people were looking for an alternative to landlines.

• Landlines were considered a more reliable method of communication in the 1980s and 1990s.

• The majority of people did not have a cell phone or a landline.

• Most people did not feel that landlines were reliable enough to replace cell phones.

Multiple Choice

Cell phones became more affordable by the late 1990s and early 2000s. What evidence from the passage supports this inference?

• “Cell phone technology advanced throughout the 1990s and early

  2000s.”

• “What was once something that only the wealthy could afford soon

  became viewed as essential.”

• “People who went their entire lives without a cellphone were suddenly

  reluctant to leave their house without it.”

• “The design of cell phones changed during this time period.”

Multiple Choice

People were interested in customizing their cellphones before smartphones

were widely available. What evidence from the passage supports this

inference?

• “Early cell phones had a small display, but that later changed.”

• “Soon displays came in color and cell phone manufacturers were able to

  offer larger displays."

• “The design of cell phones changed during this time period."

• “One popular choice was to purchase a ringtone that included part of a

  song.”

Multiple Choice

What inference can be made about landlines now?

The first truly mobile phone call was made in the 1970s. It would take years before that technology was made available to the average customer. Mobile phones began to be sold by several different companies in the 1980s. The first cell phones that were available for sale were heavy, with some weighing over two pounds. Their battery life left a lot to be desired. Some of the first cell phones took around ten hours to charge and could only be used for thirty minutes. The security of calls made from cell phones was also a concern. It was very easy for people to use a scanner in order to listen in on calls made on some of the first cell phones. The technology of cell phones eventually began to advance. Cellular networks soon became more reliable and secure. Cell phones quickly became smaller and cheaper. Cell phones also began to offer a longer lasting battery. What was once considered a luxury item for the very wealthy soon became available to all consumers. Despite this, cell phones were not considered a necessity throughout the 1980s and 1990s and did not replace landlines.

• Landlines are considered optional by many people.

• Landlines are too expensive for many.

• Landlines are considered necessary by most people.

• The majority of people have landlines.

Multiple Choice

What inference can be made about the makers of smartphones today?

The first truly mobile phone call was made in the 1970s. It would take years before that technology was made available to the average customer. Mobile phones began to be sold by several different companies in the 1980s. The first cell phones that were available for sale were heavy, with some weighing over two pounds. Their battery life left a lot to be desired. Some of the first cell phones took around ten hours to charge and could only be used for thirty minutes. The security of calls made from cell phones was also a concern. It was very easy for people to use a scanner in order to listen in on calls made on some of the first cell phones. The technology of cell phones eventually began to advance. Cellular networks soon became more reliable and secure. Cell phones quickly became smaller and cheaper. Cell phones also began to offer a longer lasting battery. What was once considered a luxury item for the very wealthy soon became available to all consumers. Despite this, cell phones were not considered a necessity throughout the 1980s and 1990s and did not replace landlines.

• Smartphone makers want to offer the most affordable devices.

• Smartphone makers want to offer the most secure devices.

• Smartphone makers want to offer the most advanced devices.

• Smartphone makers want to offer the largest devices.