Inferences

​As you read each part of the story, you will combine details from the text with what you know to make inferences.


An inference is when you take what you know + what you read. This equals an educated guess or assumption about the scenario.

​Today you will be reading three parts of the story How to Make S'mores while reflecting on how it must feel to move to a new country.

​In this part of the story, you will read to learn about what it's like for one character who moves to a new place.

Reread paragraph 3. Why are the words HERE and THERE capitalized?

Why does the main character crumple up the paper and throw it away?

Multiple Choice

Why does the main character crumple up the paper and throw it away?

• She doesn't have the money to afford it

• She already has plans for that day

• She does not feel comfortable attending

• She doesn't have the grades to qualify

In paragraph 5 it states that she doesn't want to be alone anywhere without her family for three days.

I know that if I don't want to be alone, it is because I am uncomfortable being alone.

Therefore, the inference or educated guess we can make is that she does not feel comfortable going.

What does the idiom my heart is racing mean?
​
In paragraph 13, Raniya says "everything has changed." Why does Raniya's father change his mind about the school trip?

Multiple Choice

Why does Raniya's father change his mind about the school trip?

• He was able to get the money for the trip

• He spoke to the teacher about the learning that will happen there

• They were able to move their previous plans around

• She was able to bring up her grades in time for the trip

​An inference is never explicitly stated in the text.

I know that America and Pakistan are two different countries, and people in different countries sometimes do things differently. By combining what the text says and what I know, I can infer that it can take a long time to learn the customs/culture of a new country.

What inference can you make about paragraph 5? Look at what the text says and what you know to come up with an inference.

Multiple Choice

What inference can you make about paragraph 5?

• Raniya is lonely and misses having friends

• Raniya does not enjoy the American food served in the cafeteria

• Raniya has already made many friends in America

• Raniya had no friends in Pakistan

​In this next part of the story, you will read to learn how Raniya handles a new situation.

Why does Raniya pronounce Pakistan two different ways?

What do Tony and Raniya have in common?

Multiple Choice

What do Tony and Raniya have in common?

• They both have red sneakers

• They both lost their lunchboxes

• They both are scared of heights

• They both are from different countries

​In paragraph 14, "take the top" refers to the top bed in a set of bunk-beds.

​Look at paragraph 16 and begin to think about the Stop & Discuss.

Multiple Choice

Why does Raniya smile when Eva points out their identical sleeping bags?

• She feels like she has something in common with Eva.

• She smiles to cover up how uncomfortable she feels.

• She really likes both sleeping bags

​The idiom work up the nerve means to find the courage to do something.

In paragraphs 20 and 24 Raniya uses the word "we" when she describes the camp activities. How is this different from how she has been talking about the trip before now? Raise your hand to discuss.

​The first box gives me evidence about what Raniya is doing while hiking. I can combine this with what I already know to make an inference. I sometimes look down at the ground when I feel uncomfortable, and I think Raniya might be feeling that way here. I can infer that Raniya feels uncomfortable on the hiking trip.

Multiple Choice

How has Raniya changed from the beginning of the story?

• In the beginning she was excited about the trip, by the end she was disappointed.

• In the beginning she was lonely, by the end she was starting to make friends.

• In the beginning her family couldn't afford the trip, by the end they found the money

• In the beginning she knew how to make s'mores, by the end she realized it was different in America

​Now you will read to learn what happens during the rest of the trip. Then you will make inferences about the story.

What does Raniya reveal in paragraph 7 about the story she shared?

In paragraph 8, what are the two kinds of warmth that Raniya is feeling?

​This series of events lead Raniya to admitting it is the first time she hasn't wished she was THERE.

Multiple Choice

Reread part 3 of "How to Make S'mores." Choose the best answer for each question.

Why does the camp counselor say "Just a twig, people!" in paragraph 2?

• She wants the students to learn from their mistakes.

• She wants the students to be less noisy.

• She wants to teach the group about wildlife.

• She wants to prevent the group from panicking.

Multiple Choice

Which detail from paragraph 8 BEST supports the inference that Tony and Raniya are becoming friends?

• 
  "It's chilly outside, but it's nice by the fire, and with my classmates."

• "I feel the warmth of the flames on my face, and in my insides."

• "Tony is back on the other side of the circle now, but I feel him watching me."

• "When I look back at him and our eyes meet, he smiles a little and then looks away."

Multiple Choice

Reread the sentence from paragraph 10 of the text.

As I climb onto the top bunk and get into my sleeping bag, Eva settles into hers.

Which definition of settles BEST matches how it is used in the sentence?

• gets comfortable

• solves a disagreement

• makes a decision

• becomes focused

Multiple Choice

Part A

Which inference can be made about Raniya in paragraphs 8-12?

• She is nervous about playing Predator and Prey.

• She is pleased with the events of the first day.

• She thinks she and Eva might become best friends.

• She thinks reptiles and snakes should be avoided.

Multiple Choice

Part B

Which detail from the passage BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• "As I climb onto the top bunk and get into my sleeping bag. Eva settles into hers." (paragraph 10)

• "Tomorrow we're playing Predator and Prey." (paragraph 11)

• "Yeah, it was fun." (paragraph 12)

• "I don't ask what a reptile guy is." (paragraph 12)

Multiple Choice

Why does Raniya say she wants to return to Pakistan but "maybe not just yet"?

• She wants to finish the field trip first before she returns

• She still views Pakistan as home, but is starting to feel comfortable in America

• She wants to make S'mores before she returns

• She does not like it in America and she wants to see if that will change

Multiple Select

What is the theme of the story "from How to Make S'mores"?

• Better safe than sorry

• Taking risks can have great rewards

• Hard work pays off

• Never judge a book by its cover