Nonfiction Inferences

Giraffes are fascinating animals due to their extreme heights and unique color. Giraffes have cream fur with brown blotches everywhere. This fur allows giraffes to blend in among the savanna trees and bushes; however, their size can make hiding difficult since adult giraffes grow to be over 17 feet tall. Most adult giraffes rely on their strength and speed to escape lions and other predators. Yet, young giraffes lack this skill. Born at 6 feet tall, newborn giraffes lack the strength and speed of their parents. Half of giraffes are preyed upon before they reach a year old and those that survive spend most of their day hiding.

What can you infer?

• rely on camouflage at an older age

• rely on camouflage at a younger age

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

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Swifts are already considered the fastest fliers on Earth.

Now, scientists think they’re also one of nature’s greatest

endurance athletes. They recently discovered that the

small soot brown birds spend 10 months of the year

entirely airborne. Using miniature trackers, scientists

observed that some birds did not land once during their

migratory period.

What can you infer?

• Swifts are able to eat in the sky.

• Swifts are large and powerful birds.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

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Tornadoes are a magnificent force of nature. Sometimes

called cyclones, tornadoes take a cylinder shape. These

powerful funnels have winds with speeds over 300 miles

per hour. This wind can lift animals, throw cars, and

destroy houses. The United States actually has more

tornadoes than any other country in the world.

What can you infer?

• Tornadoes do not happen as often in other countries.

• Tornadoes do not form in the United

  States often.

Tags

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The oarfish looks threatening but looks can be

deceiving. Even though it looks like a fierce predator

due to its size, the silver, snakelike fish actually has no

teeth. It is heavy, with weak, flabby muscles. To add

to its appearance, it even glows slightly underwater. A

ribbon like fin along its back waves as it sucks down

plankton and jellyfish, its main source of food.

What can you infer?

• Oarfish are actually harmless creatures.

• Oarfish are dangerous to humans.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

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On September 6, 2016, a submarine went to explore an

underwater volcano’s summit 3,000 feet below the surface

of the Pacific Ocean. Within minutes of the submarine’s

arrival at the top of the underwater volcano, life began to

appear. There was a starfish clinging to a rock, eels, and

sharks. Plus, there were two rare Dumbo octopuses.

What can you infer?

• Submarines can't travel more than 2,000 feet below the surface of the ocean.

• There are a lot of seas creatures who can live 3,000 feet under the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.6.1