Inference

An inference is...

• Text evidence + what you know

• Retelling a text

• Making a guess without evidence

• Information written directly into the text.

When making an inference, the most important thing is...

• What you know about the topic
• The topic of the text
• The characters in the text
• Being able to prove your inference using evidence from the text.

Joseph and Caitlin were choosing the players for their teams. It was Caitlin's turn to choose, and only Jason was left. "Jason" Caitlin said with a sigh. 

We can infer that…

• Jason was the best player.
• Caitlin wanted Jason on her team.
• Jason was not a very good player.
• Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.

Mr. Martin looked at his watch.  Then, he took a bus list out of his bag and looked at it for a moment.  A few minutes later, he looked at his watch again and sighed.
Why does Mr. Martin keep looking at his watch?

• the bus is late
• his watch is broken
• his watch is cool
• his car is out of gas

Everett held his father's hand as hecrossed the busy parking lot. They walkedinto a grocery store. Everett's dad lifted himinto 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 shopping. 
• Everett is very young

Before the 1800's people didn't have right or left shoes. They had shoes of just one shape that they used for both feet. When people first saw right and left shoes, they laughed. They called them "crooked shoes." "What a silly idea," they said. You can infer that shoes before 1800:

• were pretty

• didn't look alike

• didn't fit very well

Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on your reading of the text, you can INFER that:

• Sheepdogs are not very smart dogs.
• Sheepdogs are gentle and loyal.
• There are many breeds of dogs.
• Wolves are afraid of sheepdogs.

Rachel was on her way to volunteer at the animal shelter.  She was very excited!  She really liked dogs.  Her brother was allergic to dogs, however, so she was rarely around them.  Rachel had a lot of fun playing with the puppies, but after her shift, itchy bumps appeared on her arms.
It is likely that:

• Mosquitoes bit Rachel
• Rachel is allergic to dogs, too
• Rachel fell in poison ivy
• Rachel was already sick