Annotation & Inference

Multiple Choice

Do Now (ATLAS Practice)

Read the excerpt:

“The windows of the abandoned building rattled in the wind, and the floorboards creaked under every step.”

Question: What is the BEST inference about the setting?

• The building is new and well-maintained.

• The building is old and possibly unsafe.

• The building is filled with people celebrating.

• The building is bright and cheerful.

Annotation &
Inference Practice

By Gladys Villamor

​📖 Standards Addressed

• 10.RC.1.RF – Provide an objective summary of a text.

• 10.RC.3.RF – Cite text evidence that most strongly and thoroughly supports analysis and justify inferences.

• 10.V.1 – Use general academic and content-specific words accurately.

​🎯 Learning Targets
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Annotate a short text to identify key ideas, vocabulary, and author’s purpose.
- Take brief notes and write an inference supported by strong textual evidence.
- Write a brief summary of the text.

​Passage 1

The old library stood at the corner of Maple Street, its stone walls cracked with age. Few people entered anymore, though stories whispered that a hidden room was tucked behind the shelves. As Emma pushed the heavy door open, the air smelled of dust and forgotten secrets. A sudden draft extinguished the lantern she carried, plunging the hallway into darkness.”

​Passage 2

Emma fumbled in the dark until her fingers found the edge of a shelf. The wood was cold and rough, as if no one had touched it in years. She pulled a book at random, and with a low groan, the shelf began to move. Behind it, a narrow passageway appeared, lined with cobwebs. A chill swept through the space, and Emma couldn’t tell if it came from the draft or from her own fear.

​Annotation Directions (Group Work)
1.Read the Passage Aloud
- One person in the group will read the passage slowly and clearly.
2. Mark the Main Idea (⭐)
- Together, decide which sentence best shows the main event or key detail.
3. Mark Something Confusing (❓)
- Put a question mark on the part of the text your group has questions about. Write your question in the margin.
4. Mark a Surprising Moment (❗)
- Place the exclamation symbol next to a line that shocks or excites you.
5.Circle Vocabulary Words (🔵)
- Choose at least one word you think needs to be defined. Circle it and write a quick definition (or guess meaning from context).
6. Write a Margin Note (✍️)
- As a group, make one inference (a smart guess using clues from the text + your knowledge).
7. Share Out
- Choose one person from the group to share the best annotation your group made with the class.

Multiple Choice

What is the MAIN IDEA of this passage? (⭐)

• Emma discovers faded symbols carved into the stones.

• Emma remembers the stories she read in the library.

• Emma lights the lantern and immediately finds a hidden room.

• Emma is frightened and decides to leave the passage.

Multiple Choice

Which detail did the author use to create a sense of mystery or suspense? (❗)

• “Her footsteps echoing against the stone walls.”

• “The flame flickered to life, revealing faded symbols carved into the stones.”

• “A faint whisper seemed to drift from the darkness ahead.”

• “She reached out, her hand brushing against a rusted lantern on the wall.”

Multiple Choice

Which vocabulary word from the passage means ‘a picture, mark, or sign that represents an idea’? (🔵)

• Whisper

• Rusted

• Symbols

• Lantern

Multiple Choice

What question might a reader have after reading this passage? (❓)

• Who carved the symbols and what do they mean?

• Why was Emma afraid of the librarian?

• How long had Emma been studying the library books?

• When did the library first open?

Multiple Choice

Based on the passage, what inference can be made about the symbols? (✍️)

• They are decorations that make the hallway look interesting.

• They may be a clue connected to the secret room or the library’s history.

• They are directions for Emma to leave the library.

• They are meaningless scratches made by children.

Open Ended

Exit Ticket:

In 2–3 sentences, write an objective summary of today’s passages (The Old Library, Part 1-3). Be sure to include only the most important details.