Inferences

Alfie

by T. Herlinger

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Alfie?" his mother asked him as she and Alfie's Dad were headed out the door. "It's a folk music concert I bet you'd really enjoy."

"That's alright, Mom. I think I'd rather stay home and watch a movie. You guys have a good time, though."

Alfie watched out the window as his parents drove away. His big sister Meg was upstairs doing her homework, and the house felt mighty quiet. Alfie got a soda from the fridge and then stood looking at all the stuff his family had tacked on the fridge door. There, front and center, was the "schedule" his mom kept of who had to be where and when. Alfie's name was only on it once—for his dental checkup. Meg's name was all over it, with her violin lessons, mostly—she was serious about the violin thing, even applying to music schools for college. The rest of the schedule was filled with concerts and plays and art gallery openings Alfie's parents were always going to.

Wow, Alfie thought as he glanced over the schedule. They're gone almost every night of the week! A feeling he did not like was creeping up on him. He was starting to wonder if he was boring because he didn't like to always be doing things. His idea of a good time was kicking back with a video of one of his favorite action movies and maybe munching on a bowl of popcorn. If he was feeling social, he might invite a friend over, but that was about it. Just as he was starting to feel that he must be too boring for even his parents to hang out with, the door opened and there was his dad.

"Did you forget something?" Alfie asked.

His dad smiled. "Yeah—you! We got about halfway there and decided we've been away from home too much lately. We'd much rather spend the evening with our number-one son. Started that movie yet?"

"You're just in time," Alfie beamed, and went to the kitchen to make the popcorn.

Which statement can be inferred from information in the passage?

• Alfie does not know how to play an instrument.

• Alfie's family places a high value on the arts.

• Alfie prefers loud music to listening to soft music.

• Alfie has a difficult time making or keeping friends.

Alfie

by T. Herlinger

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Alfie?" his mother asked him as she and Alfie's Dad were headed out the door. "It's a folk music concert I bet you'd really enjoy."

"That's alright, Mom. I think I'd rather stay home and watch a movie. You guys have a good time, though."

Alfie watched out the window as his parents drove away. His big sister Meg was upstairs doing her homework, and the house felt mighty quiet. Alfie got a soda from the fridge and then stood looking at all the stuff his family had tacked on the fridge door. There, front and center, was the "schedule" his mom kept of who had to be where and when. Alfie's name was only on it once—for his dental checkup. Meg's name was all over it, with her violin lessons, mostly—she was serious about the violin thing, even applying to music schools for college. The rest of the schedule was filled with concerts and plays and art gallery openings Alfie's parents were always going to.

Wow, Alfie thought as he glanced over the schedule. They're gone almost every night of the week! A feeling he did not like was creeping up on him. He was starting to wonder if he was boring because he didn't like to always be doing things. His idea of a good time was kicking back with a video of one of his favorite action movies and maybe munching on a bowl of popcorn. If he was feeling social, he might invite a friend over, but that was about it. Just as he was starting to feel that he must be too boring for even his parents to hang out with, the door opened and there was his dad.

"Did you forget something?" Alfie asked.

His dad smiled. "Yeah—you! We got about halfway there and decided we've been away from home too much lately. We'd much rather spend the evening with our number-one son. Started that movie yet?"

"You're just in time," Alfie beamed, and went to the kitchen to make the popcorn.

Based on the passage, the reader can guess that

• Alfie's mom does not like action movies.

• Alfie and his family live in a small town.

• Meg wants to make music her career.

• Meg always gets good grades in school.

Renoir

Pierre Auguste Renoir was an impressionist. Impressionists were artists that painted the impression, or immediate feeling, that they got when they looked at a subject. The impressionist style of painting does not show all of the real-life details of the subject. It is meant to communicate feelings to the viewer.

In 1841, Renoir was born in Limoges, France. He worked in a porcelain factory in Paris as a young man. He was given the job of painting fine designs on the pieces. He was also paid to decorate fans. In 1862, he became friends with Monet, another famous French painter. In the 1870’s, Renoir showed his paintings along with other impressionist painters. They used dabs of color, instead of mixing the colors completely. This method made the forms appear softer and looser.

Renoir was known for his paintings of everyday scenes in France. He chose happy subjects, such as dancing couples and people in social scenes. He also painted his own wife and children in many of his works.

Renoir had a lot of health problems when he got older. He suffered from arthritis for the last 20 years of his life. However, he continued to paint, despite the pain and stiffness in his hands. He painted, and even sculpted, with the help of assistants. In 1919, he died at the age of 78.

Which information from the article supports the idea that Renoir was determined to continue painting in his old age?

• He competed against another artist named Monet.

• He was born in France and liked to paint French life.

• He found a way to paint even when his hands hurt.

• He quit his job of painting porcelain and fans in Paris.

Renoir

Pierre Auguste Renoir was an impressionist. Impressionists were artists that painted the impression, or immediate feeling, that they got when they looked at a subject. The impressionist style of painting does not show all of the real-life details of the subject. It is meant to communicate feelings to the viewer.

In 1841, Renoir was born in Limoges, France. He worked in a porcelain factory in Paris as a young man. He was given the job of painting fine designs on the pieces. He was also paid to decorate fans. In 1862, he became friends with Monet, another famous French painter. In the 1870’s, Renoir showed his paintings along with other impressionist painters. They used dabs of color, instead of mixing the colors completely. This method made the forms appear softer and looser.

Renoir was known for his paintings of everyday scenes in France. He chose happy subjects, such as dancing couples and people in social scenes. He also painted his own wife and children in many of his works.

Renoir had a lot of health problems when he got older. He suffered from arthritis for the last 20 years of his life. However, he continued to paint, despite the pain and stiffness in his hands. He painted, and even sculpted, with the help of assistants. In 1919, he died at the age of 78.

From information in the selection, the reader can conclude that Renoir

• did not appreciate French culture.

• did not know how to mix paints.

• was jealous of many other painters.

• enjoyed painting people he knew.

In the rainforests of Ecuador, there is a plant with an odd look. The wide leaves of this plant have areas of white color that look a little like mold. These white spots also look like moth larvae. Scientists believe the plants developed these spots because real moths will not lay their eggs on plants that already have moth larvae. It is a form of defense. The white spots mean that the plant cannot turn as much sunlight into food, though. Only the green part of the leaf can do that.

Which idea can be supported with the information from the passage?

• The plant struggles to adapt in the rainforest.

• The plant is able to adapt to protect itself.

• The plant is a home for different kinds of insects.

• The plant is damaged by white mold.

Most people think of the heart, the lungs, or the liver when the word “organ” is mentioned. Did you know that your skin is considered an organ, too? An organ is a part of the body that has at least two kinds of cells that work together. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It is made up of three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer.

The epidermis is the layer we can see. Its job is to protect the inside of the body from the outside world. The dermis is under the epidermis. It provides support for the skin. The dermis also has nerves that give the skin feeling. Its muscle tissue is what gives you “goose bumps” when you get cold. The subcutaneous layer is made up of fat. It helps protect the body in cold temperatures.

Based on the passage, the reader can conclude that

• the skin is made of different kinds of cells.

• the body's other organs all have three layers.

• the heart is the body's most important organ.

• the epidermis is the skin's most important layer.

Most people think of the heart, the lungs, or the liver when the word “organ” is mentioned. Did you know that your skin is considered an organ, too? An organ is a part of the body that has at least two kinds of cells that work together. The skin is the body’s largest organ. It is made up of three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous layer.

The epidermis is the layer we can see. Its job is to protect the inside of the body from the outside world. The dermis is under the epidermis. It provides support for the skin. The dermis also has nerves that give the skin feeling. Its muscle tissue is what gives you “goose bumps” when you get cold. The subcutaneous layer is made up of fat. It helps protect the body in cold temperatures.

Which conclusion can be drawn about the epidermis from this passage?

• It is like the body's wall.

• It gives people goose bumps.

• It helps people stay warm.

• It is the thickest layer.

Somewhere Far

by A. Gautam

As I watched my parents disappear from the parking lot, I stared at the empty ground for a long time. My life was about to change forever at the age of fourteen. I had never thought I would be studying and living away from my family for four years. It was a family tradition my parents had followed while growing up in Europe.

I stood alone and searched for the mountains. The wind was chilly and bits of snow were piling on my shoes. Things were certainly not the same in this town. The situation seemed even worse when I noticed how different I looked from everyone else. Everywhere I looked around everyone looked happy to be there except for me. None of them had the look of homesickness in their faces.

I slowly moved toward the yellow building—my new home—and decided to get my meal card from my room before looking for the cafeteria. That was when I spotted the girl who looked more out of place than me. She could not have been more than twelve. She was carrying a big backpack, wearing a thick jacket, and holding onto two suitcases sitting on the floor. I could see white airport tags still attached to her luggage.

"Hi, I am Shree," I told the girl, deciding to introduce myself. "Can I help you find anything?"

"I am Mongoo," she spoke softly. "Yes, where is the girls' building?" She gave me a little smile as I offered to carry one of her suitcases to our new home.

Based on this passage, can the reader infer that Shree is a helpful person?

• Yes, because she offers to assist Mongoo with her luggage.

• No, because she does not see if other kids need help, too.

• Yes, because she talks to the people she does not know.

• No, because she only carries one suitcase for Mongoo.

Somewhere Far

by A. Gautam

As I watched my parents disappear from the parking lot, I stared at the empty ground for a long time. My life was about to change forever at the age of fourteen. I had never thought I would be studying and living away from my family for four years. It was a family tradition my parents had followed while growing up in Europe.

I stood alone and searched for the mountains. The wind was chilly and bits of snow were piling on my shoes. Things were certainly not the same in this town. The situation seemed even worse when I noticed how different I looked from everyone else. Everywhere I looked around everyone looked happy to be there except for me. None of them had the look of homesickness in their faces.

I slowly moved toward the yellow building—my new home—and decided to get my meal card from my room before looking for the cafeteria. That was when I spotted the girl who looked more out of place than me. She could not have been more than twelve. She was carrying a big backpack, wearing a thick jacket, and holding onto two suitcases sitting on the floor. I could see white airport tags still attached to her luggage.

"Hi, I am Shree," I told the girl, deciding to introduce myself. "Can I help you find anything?"

"I am Mongoo," she spoke softly. "Yes, where is the girls' building?" She gave me a little smile as I offered to carry one of her suitcases to our new home.

Read the first paragraph again. Shree and Mongoo are

• near the airport lobby.

• in a boarding school.

• in a summer camp.

• near a college dorm.

The New Neighbors

by T. Herlinger

"Ugh, what's that noise?" Elsa Watson asked her dad when she got home from school. The apartment was fairly shaking with what sounded like World War III coming from the unit below them.

"It's our new neighbors." Mr. Watson said and rolled his eyes. "They evidently like to watch high-action movies all day on that giant flat-screen TV that I saw them unload. I should've known that thing would bring us grief."

Just then, Elsa's little brother Jimmy walked in, plugging his ears. "Jeez!" he yelled. "Do we have to listen to this?"

Mr. Watson set out a plate of cookies for his kids as he spoke. "I went down there earlier to say "howdy" and asked if they could keep the volume a bit lower. I guess this is their idea of 'lower.' It's a young couple, named Sid and Rita, and they said they work nights and hang out at home during the day."

"When do they sleep?" Elsa asked, her head pounding with the booming noise from below.

"They don't need sleep," Mr. Watson joked. "They're young."

"Why couldn't our old neighbors, the Bowers, have stayed here and not moved to Florida?" Jimmy whined.

By dinnertime, the noise had stopped. Elsa was relishing the quiet, but she knew it would only start up again the next day.

"Hey, where's Mom?" Elsa asked her dad as they were sitting down at the dining table.

But before he could answer, in she walked, carrying a brown paper bag and grinning.

"I think I have the answer to our little noise problem," Mrs. Watson said as she kissed her kids on top of their heads. And from the bag, she produced not one but two boxes from the local electronics store. "Headphones," she announced, "his and hers. Thought I'd bring them cookies tomorrow and these little housewarming gifts."

"You mean house-quieting gifts, don't you?" Mr. Watson said. "It's brilliant, my dear, just brilliant."

What can the reader tell about the Watsons' previous neighbors, the Bowers?

• Jimmy doesn't like them very much.

• They will soon be returning to the area

• They are much quieter people

• Mrs. Watson gets them headphones