Inferences

Rubin dug frantically through his backpack. It has to be here, he thought. How many times had his mother told him not to take his iPod to school. He searched his locker again without much hope. He knew he was in trouble.

• Rubin is looking for his homework.

• Rubin is looking for his iPod.

• Rubin often gets in trouble.

• Someone has stolen Rubin’s iPod.

“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Jim shouted into the phone over the loud music of the party.

“Nah, I’m too tired,” Amber said.

“Well, suit yourself, but you’ll be sorry,” Jim replied.

• Jim wants Amber to come out.

• Jim is coming to Amber’s house

• Amber is sorry she didn’t listen to Jim.

• Amber hasn’t been sleeping very well.

Troy heard footsteps. Someone was following him. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He began quicken his pace, hoping that whoever was behind him wouldn’t notice, but at last he gave in to a run.

• Troy s late for an appointment

• Troy is afraid.

• Troy is very fast.

• Troy is running to the police station.

Tyler slammed down the phone. Why did Daniel always have to have things his way? Why didn’t he ever listen?

• Tyler regrets speaking so rudely.

• Daniel is always right.

• Daniel asked if Tyler wanted to come over.

• Tyler and Daniel had an argument.

By the time Robin arrived at the restaurant, Andrew was sipping on his third soft drink. “I’m so sorry,” she called out when she saw him, pointing to her bare wrist where her watch used to be.

• Andrew is patient.

• Robin is late.

• Andrew drinks fast.

• Robin wants Andrew to loan her his watch.

“I left my gym clothes in mom’s car,” explained Kayla. The coach shook his head, pointed to the bleachers, and walked away without a word.

• Kayla has forgotten her gym clothes before.

• Kayla hates to dress out for gym.

• The coach does not like Kayla.

• The coach is getting Kayla’s gym clothes.

The noisy classroom fell silent as soon as Mrs. Barker stepped through the door. The students shuffled nervously,

their eyes darting back and forth from the broom in Gabe’s hand to the broken light fixture swinging overhead.

• Mrs. Barker is about to give the students a test.

• Gabe is cleaning the classroom.

• Gabe broke the light with the broom.

• Mrs. Barker is really a witch.

Dalton twisted the handlebars from side to side, trying to keep the bicycle upright. His feet pumped the pedals, and as the bike picked up speed he found he could steer it much more easily. “Look, I’m doing it!” he shouted.

• Dalton just learned to ride a bike.

• Dalton got a job delivering papers.

• Dalton just got a new bike.

• Dalton is very clumsy.