Making Inferences

When you use details or evidence in a text to draw a conclusion, you ____.

• summarize

• identify the main idea

• problem solve

• infer

Inferencing means _____.

• understanding what the text says exactly

• using logic to read between the lines

• distinguishing between fact and opinion

• using Greek and Latin word parts to figure out word meanings

When you "read between the lines" you

• read two things at once

• look for very small print in between the lines of a book

• stop and think about each line before you read on

• make an educated guess about things that aren't written down

Which statement about an inference is correct?

• An inference is not based on any evidence.

• An inference is based only on what the text says.

• An inference always turns out to be right.

• An inference requires that you use clues.

There is a big thunderstorm. Your friend Karen is coming for your birthday party. She texts you to say she is on her way but will be late. What is the best inference you can make?

• Karen doesn't like birthday cake.

• Karen's is helping watch her baby cousin.

• Traffic is slow because of the weather.

• Karen can't come to your birthday party.

Your dad is wearing a rain coat. When he comes in, he puts down an umbrella. What is the best inference you can make?

• He is picking up your brother from soccer practice.

• It is raining outside.

• He needs to pick up bread and milk from Food Lion.

• It is April.

Kris is camping alone. It is dry and windy outside. He falls asleep with his sleeping bag near the campfire, which is still burning. What can you infer?

• There will be a tornado.

• A bear will steal his breakfast.

• The fire may spread.

• A friend will join him at the campsite.

Starr is standing at the corner when a bus zooms by. She calls out and runs after the bus, waving her arms frantically. The best inference you can make is that Starr _____.

• is going on a field trip to Jamestown

• is training for a 5K race

• recognized someone on the bus

• wanted to ride the bus

A girl tells you that her cat's name is Grumpy Grace. What can you infer about the cat?

• It is often in a bad mood.

• It is the smallest one from the litter.

• She has had it for 2 months.

• It likes to eat fish.

Riley is auditioning for the school play. She's been okay all day, but she says right before the audition that she feels sick. What might you infer about Riley?

• She never gets sick.

• She is happy about the play.

• She is feeling nervous about the audition.

• She is allergic to pineapple.