Making Inferences and Citing Evidence

Making Inferences

And citing evidence

Daily Objectives

• I can make logical inferences based on the evidence in the text

• I can cite appropriate textual evidence to support my inferences

What do I see?

What can I infer?

I SEE someone kneeling on one knee, a ring, and a beach background.

Based on my background knowledge, I INFER that this is a marriage proposal.

Open Ended

What do you SEE? What do you INFER?

Open Ended

What do you SEE? What do you INFER?

Open Ended

What do you SEE? What do you INFER?

Open Ended

What can you infer about the family?

Open Ended

Which evidence best supports your inference? (Type a sentence directly from the passage that supports your inference).

Open Ended

What can you infer about the children?

Open Ended

Which evidence best supports your inference? (Type a sentence directly from the passage that supports your inference).

Open Ended

What can you infer about Darius?

Open Ended

Which evidence best supports your inference? (Type a sentence directly from the passage that supports your inference).

Open Ended

What can you infer about Minerva?

Open Ended

Which evidence best supports your inference? (Type a sentence directly from the passage that supports your inference).

Multiple Choice

Do writers always tell their readers exactly what they mean all the time, or do they allow their readers to draw conclusions and discover at least some of the meaning on their own?

• They allow their readers to draw conclusions and discover at least some of the meaning on their own.

• They tell their readers exactly what they mean all the time.

Multiple Choice

What is an inference?

Writers of fiction often show their characters in action and allow them to speak for themselves. Readers then have the job of deciding what those actions and words mean and what they reveal about the characters, the events of the story and the message the author intends to send. In other words, readers must draw inferences about what they read. An inference in fiction is a reasonable conclusion or judgment about some element of a story based on the information given in the story and the reader's personal knowledge of how the world works.

• a reasonable conclusion or judgment about some element in a story based on information from the story

• a reasonable conclusion or judgment about some element in a story

• information contained in a story that leads a reader to the theme

• information in the story to help a reader ask questions and make connections

Multiple Choice

How to Draw Inferences

1. You look for clues in the text, little pieces of information that seem to relate to the missing information or your question.

2. You think about what you already know from your own experience in the real world.

3. You put these two pieces of the puzzle together in a logical way to produce a reasonable conclusion that supplies the missing piece of information or the answer to your question.

Drawing an inference requires your background knowledge and information from the text?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Drawing an Inference

You've made many inferences in your life, but you might not even know it. For instance, your cat runs up to you the minute you step through the door. She meows, rubs your legs, runs into the kitchen and stares at the cupboard where you normally store the cat food. It doesn't take much effort to figure out that your cat wants food. You've just drawn an inference.

You draw many inferences in your everyday life?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Drawing Inferences

Let's go back to your cat and apply the process for making an inference. At first, you might wonder what your cat is doing. You look for clues in your cat's behavior and notice how she meows and rubs your legs to get your attention and how she stares at the food cupboard. You also think about what you already know from past experience; your cat has done this before, and you've responded by giving her food. So you put those two pieces together in a logical way and correctly infer that your cat wants food.

Drawing an inference from a book follows the same process of drawing inferences in your everyday life?

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true?

• Writers never leave out any information in their texts.

• Writers always tell their readers everything that is going on.

• Writers always make their meanings perfectly clear.

• Writers sometimes seem to leave out pieces of information in their texts.

Multiple Choice

____ in fiction is a reasonable conclusion or judgment about some element of a story based on the information given in the story and the reader's personal knowledge of how the world works.

• A clue

• A question

• An inference

• An implication

Multiple Choice

What is the first step readers must take to draw an inference?

• Put the pieces together in a logical way to produce a reasonable conclusion

• Think about what they already know from their own experience in the real world

• Look for clues in the text

Multiple Choice

What is the second step readers must take to draw an inference?

• Put the pieces together in a logical way to produce a reasonable conclusion

• Think about what they already know from their own experience in the real world

• Look for clues in the text

Multiple Choice

What is the third step readers must take to draw an inference?

• Put the pieces together in a logical way to produce a reasonable conclusion

• Think about what they already know from their own experience in the real world

• Look for clues in the text

Multiple Choice

“Clearly,” the Time Traveller proceeded, “any real body must have extension in four directions: it must have Length, Breadth, Thickness, and Duration. But through a natural infirmity of the flesh, which I will explain to you in a moment, we incline to overlook this fact. There are really four dimensions, three which we call the three planes of Space, and a fourth, Time. There is, however, a tendency to draw an unreal distinction between the former three dimensions and the latter, because it happens that our consciousness moves intermittently in one direction along the latter from the beginning to the end of our lives.” “That,” said a very young man, “that ... very clear indeed.” “Now, it is very remarkable that this is so extensively overlooked,” continued the Time Traveller, with a slight accession of cheerfulness. “Really this is what is meant by the Fourth Dimension, though some people who talk about the Fourth Dimension do not know they mean it. It is only another way of looking at Time. There is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along it. But some foolish people have got hold of the wrong side of that idea.

The reader can infer from the speaker’s name that he...

• has traveled through time

• is an expert on time

• was a scientist

• can see the Fourth Dimension

Multiple Choice

“Clearly,” the Time Traveller proceeded, “any real body must have extension in four directions: it must have Length, Breadth, Thickness, and Duration. But through a natural infirmity of the flesh, which I will explain to you in a moment, we incline to overlook this fact. There are really four dimensions, three which we call the three planes of Space, and a fourth, Time. There is, however, a tendency to draw an unreal distinction between the former three dimensions and the latter, because it happens that our consciousness moves intermittently in one direction along the latter from the beginning to the end of our lives.” “That,” said a very young man, “that ... very clear indeed.” “Now, it is very remarkable that this is so extensively overlooked,” continued the Time Traveller, with a slight accession of cheerfulness. “Really this is what is meant by the Fourth Dimension, though some people who talk about the Fourth Dimension do not know they mean it. It is only another way of looking at Time. There is no difference between Time and any of the three dimensions of Space except that our consciousness moves along it. But some foolish people have got hold of the wrong side of that idea.

It is most likely that the people listening...

• understand what is being said

• do not completely understand

• are helping with the research

• do not believe the man

Multiple Choice

Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident. Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today.

Based on details in the excerpt, the reader can conclude that The Wizard of Oz...

• is unlike all other fairy tales

• is just a simple and fun story

• was not written to teach children

• was created for all people

Multiple Choice

Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident. Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today.

The reader can assume stories from the past...

• will soon be unpopular

• were not very exciting

• only centered around a moral

• scared children to be good

Multiple Choice

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.
Which probably happened?

• Turner realized that he had an unnatural fear of falling radio parts.
• Turner had promised himself to do something silly that morning.
  
• Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.
• Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus ride.

Multiple Choice

 “Larry, as your boss, I must say it’s been very interesting working with you,” Miss Valdez said. “However, it seems that our company’s needs and your performance style are not well matched. Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask you to resign your position effective today.”
What was Miss Valdez telling Larry?   

• She would feel really bad if he decided to quit.
• He was being fired.
• He was getting a raise in pay.
• She really enjoyed having him in the office.

Multiple Choice

No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.
What is the message?

• I don't want a gift.
• Buy me a new car.
• The mall is fun.
• I'll carry a bucket for you.

Multiple Choice

Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica’s turn to choose, and only Kurt was left. Jessica said, “Kurt.”
We can infer that _______________.

• Kurt is not a very good player.
• Jessica was pleased to have Kurt on her team.
• Kurt was the best player on either team.
• Jessica was inconsiderate of Kurt's feelings.

Multiple Choice

Blood cholesterol used to be thought of as a problem only for adults. 

• Blood cholesterol is no longer a problem for adults. 
• Only children have a problem with blood cholesterol. 
• Blood cholesterol affects both adults and children. 

Multiple Choice

When apple growers talk about new varieties of apples, they don’t mean something developed last month, last year, or even in the last decade. 

• Apple growers haven’t developed any new varieties in recent decades. 
• Some varieties of apples can be developed in a short time, but others take a long time. 
• New varieties of apples take many years to develop. 

Multiple Choice

In all cultures, gestures are used as a form of communication, but the same gestures may have very different meanings in different cultures. 

• No two cultures use the same gestures. 
• One gesture will never have the same meaning in two cultures. 
• A person from one culture may misunderstand the gestures used by a person from another culture. 

Multiple Choice

Although sheepherding is an older and more beloved occupation, shepherds never caught the attention of American filmmakers the way cowboys did. 

• There have been more American films about cowboys than about shepherds. 
• Films about shepherds were popular before films about cowboys. 
• Cowboys are generally younger than shepherds.

Multiple Choice

As an architect, Thomas Jefferson preferred the Roman style, as seen in the buildings of the University of Virginia, to the English style favored by Charles Bullfinch. 

• The architecture of the University of Virginia was influenced by the Roman style. 
• Bullfinch was an English architect. 
• Jefferson preferred to build in the English style of architecture. 

Multiple Choice

Even spiders that do not build webs from silk use it for a variety of purposes, such as constructing egg sacs and nursery tents. 

• All spiders build webs. 
• Spiders that build webs don’t build egg sacs or nursery tents. 
• Silk is used by all spiders. 

Multiple Choice

There is more quartz in the world than any one kind of feldspar, but the feldspars as a group are five times more common than quartz. 

• One type of quartz is five times more plentiful than feldspar. 
• Quartz is less common than the feldspars. 
• The most common type of feldspar is as plentiful as quartz. 

Multiple Choice

Illegible handwriting does not indicate weakness of character, as even a quick glance at the penmanship of George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, or John Kennedy reveals. 

• Washington, Roosevelt, and Kennedy all had handwriting that was difficult to read. 
• A person’s handwriting reveals a lot about that person.
• The author believes that Washington, Roosevelt, and Kennedy all had weak characters. 

Multiple Choice

The launch of the space shuttle Atlantis has been postponed while NASA evaluates a problem with the new robot arm on space station Alpha. The arm will be used to carry out the installation of a new U.S.-built airlock on the space station.

What can you infer from this paragraph? 

• The robot space arm is critical to the space shuttle's mission.
• The robot arm was poorly constructed.
• The space shuttle experiences frequent launch delays.
• The space program is very expensive.

Multiple Choice

Chip grabbed a bagel on his way out the door. "See you this afternoon," he yelled to his dad, who was getting ready to go to work.
 "Got everything you need?" his dad asked.   "Yep, it's all in here," Chip said, pointing to his backpack.   "Good luck on that English test," his dad said.   "I'll need it!"
Where is Chip going? 

• to his friend's house
• to band practice
• to school
• to the library

Multiple Choice

An INFERENCE is...

• A logical conclusion
• A guess based on evidence
• Both

Multiple Choice

To make good inferences you need to...

• read fast
• pay attention to details
• look up every unfamiliar word
• pick your nose

Multiple Choice

It is important to learn how to make inferences because many times...

• authors don't write well
• authors communicate ideas indirectly
• authors are lazy
• authors don't think about readers

Multiple Choice

In your daily life, you can make inferences about people by observing their behavior.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

Which of these will most help you infer someone's personality?

• their clothes
• their words
• their actions
• their family

Multiple Choice

A VALID INFERENCE is...

• a wild guess
• never supported
• supported with evidence
• is hard to find

Multiple Choice

It can be inferred that the people are carrying something.

• true
• false

Multiple Choice

It can be inferred that the 2 people are married.

• valid
• not enough evidence

Multiple Choice

Hudson hurried out of the house so he wasn't late for work. He wore overalls and carried a toolbox with wrenches in it. He hopped in his truck and drove off. The sign on his truck said, “Pipe Masters.”
What can be inferred?

• Hudson is an auto mechanic.
• Hudson enjoys his job.
• Hudson works as a plumber.
• Hudson is a car salesman.

Multiple Choice

 Everett held his father's hand as he crossed the busy parking lot. They walked into a grocery store. Everett's dad lifted him into the seat of the shopping cart. “Here,” said dad, “You can hold my shopping list.”
You can infer that...

• Everett had never been to a grocery store.
• Everett's dad does not shop often.
• Everett's dad needs help with the shopping.
• Everett is very young.

Multiple Choice

1)Balloons are clues that help us make an inference that

____________________________.

• A)a person has died

• B)a person is going to school

• C)there is a birthday party happening

Multiple Choice

2)The picture of a woman with a TV remote eating popcorn and laughing helps us infer that__________.

• A)she is watching a cartoon on TV

• B)she is watching a funny movie on TV

• C)she is watching a horror movie

Multiple Choice

3)Making inferences helps people_____________.

• A)understand their reading better

• B)write better