Making inferences

Making inferences requires:

(a)   (b)   (c)  

• Logical reasoning
• Evidence from the text
• Investigation and critical thinking

Read the passage - Then select the valid inferences.

The term “neon light” was originally applied to a particular type of vapor lamp using the inert, colorless gas neon. A long tube was filled with neon, which then became luminous at low pressure when an electric current was passed through it. The lamp then emitted the characteristic reddish-orange light of neon. Today, the term “neon light” is given to lamps of this general type which may be filled with a variety of gases, depending on the color that is desired. Argon, for example, is used to produce blue light. Colors can also be altered by changing the color of the glass tube. The tubes must be quite long in all these lamps to produce light efficiently. As a result, high voltages are required. Neon tube lamps are not practical for indoor illumination, but they have found widespread outdoor use in glowing, colorful advertising signs.

• The inert gas neon is reddish-orange in color.

• The meaning of the term “neon light” has changed over time.

• Today’s “neon lights” never actually contain neon.

• When stimulated by electricity, different types of gas may produce different colors

When providing an example in the text to support your inference, you are:

• providing the main idea

• citing the text

• using textual evidence to support your claim

If a student got 100% on his work, what could you infer?

• He listened and studied.
• He didn't come to school that day.
• He didn't listen in class.
• He copied off of his neighbor.

Read this situation. Click on what you think is going to happen.

An egg is laid. A caterpillar hatches from the egg and constantly eats flowers and leaves. It turns into a pupa and rests inside of a cocoon.

• a bird will come by and disturb it

• a butterfly will come out of the cocoon

• the caterpillar will come out when it gets hungry

To look closely at the parts of a text to understand it as a whole is to:

• make an inference

• analyze the text

• cite the text

A restatement of speech or writing that retains the basic meaning while changing the words

(a)  

• paraphrase
• clarification
• annotation
• summarize

Which statement about an inference is correct?

(a)  

• An inference requires that you use clues.
• An inference is not based on any evidence.
• An inference is based only on what a text says.
• An inference always turns out to be right.

Terrence is camping alone. It is dry and windy out. He falls asleep in his sleeping bag near the blazing campfire. What is the best inference you could make?.

• There will be a hurricane.

• Someone will stop by.

• An animal will leap into the flames.

• The fire may spread.

It is important to learn how to make inferences because many times...
(a)  

• authors communicate ideas indirectly
• authors don't write well
• authors are lazy
• authors don't think about readers