Context Clues making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

1.Your cousin claimed to be late because the doors of his house were frozen shut. Even though I have my doubts, his explanation is plausible. It got really cold last night. I'll just have to take his word for it.

If a statement is plausible,  __________.

• a. you must always believe it
  

• 
  
  b. you should never believe it
  
  

• 
  
  c. it's hard to understand because it makes no sense
  
  

• d. it's believable enough to possibly be true

. If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!

Which word is a synonym of "curtail"?

• a. reduce
  

• b. follow
  

• c. behind
  

• 
  d. buy

No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a clandestine operation in order to succeed. 

Which word is a synonym of "clandestine"?

• a. family
  

• b. useful
  

• c. dangerous
  

• d. secret

Put this medicine on your arm and rub it into your skin until it's invisible. It will inhibit the infection's attempt to spread.

What does “inhibit” mean?

• a. live in a certain place
  

• b. block or slow down
  

• c. itch or burn
  

• d. help to do something important

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.

1. Which probably happened?

• a. Turner realized that he had an unnatural fear of falling radio parts.
  

• 
  b. Turner had promised himself to do something silly that morning.
  

• 
  c. Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.
  

• .
  d. Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus ride.

“Larry, as your boss, I must say it’s been very interesting working with you,” Miss Valdez said. “However, it seems that our company’s needs and your performance style are not well matched. Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask you to resign your position effective today.”

2. What was Miss Valdez telling Larry?

• a. She would feel really bad if he decided to quit.
  

• 
  b. He was being fired.
  

• 
  c. He was getting a raise in pay.
  

• 
  d. She really enjoyed having him in the office.

No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon.

3. What is the message?

• a. I don’t want a gift.
  

• 
  b. Buy me a new car.
  

• 
  c. The mall is fun.
  

• 
  d. I’ll carry a bucket for you.

Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica’s turn to choose, and only Kurt was left.
Jessica said, “Kurt.”

4. We can infer that ________

• a. Kurt is not a very good player.
  

• b. Jessica was pleased to have Kurt on her team.
  

• c. Kurt was the best player on either team.
  

• d. Jessica was inconsiderate of Kurt’s feelings.