Finding Evidence Inferring

What is the formula for an inference?

• Front-ground Details + More Details = Inference

• Background Knowledge + Evidence = Inference

• background + knowledge = Inference

• trick question - there is no such thing

Sometimes we have to “read between the lines.” Authors don’t always tell us everything. We need to use textual evidence and prior knowledge to understand the text better. 

• True
• False

Being able to make inferences will make you able to provide answers to questions that are not directly stated in the text.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were papermakers, but they had been interested in flying for many years. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea. He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.Soon afterwards, the brothers conducted an experiment. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling. After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air. Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.

What evidence in the passage could lead you to infer that the Montgolfier brothers discovered how to make a hot air balloon?

• “He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.”

• “Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.”

• “After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air.”

• none of the above

Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were papermakers, but they had been interested in flying for many years. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea. He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.Soon afterwards, the brothers conducted an experiment. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling. After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air. Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.

What evidence in the text could lead you to infer that the Montgolfier brothers launched the first successful hot air balloon?

• “He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.”

• “Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.”

• “After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air.”

• none of the above

Rattlesnakes

Scientists have studied rattlesnakes for hundreds of years, yet, there continue to be myths about these snakes.

The snake's rattle, which lends it its name, contains hard, loose parts made of the same material found in human nails. When cornered, the snake shakes its tail to make a rattling noise. Researchers used to think that the number of rattles on a snake indicates its age. However, it is now known that each time a rattlesnake sheds its skin, it adds a rattle. These snakes shed their skins about four times a year, and often the rattles break off.

Research shows that rattlesnakes have deep social ties. Mothers and babies are known to stay together until babies first shed their skin. Mothers keep their young close to them. If they sense any threat, they shake their rattles and adopt a threatening posture. Studies also show that some rattlesnake young even return to their mother's den after they have grown up.

Volumes of literature exist on rattlesnakes. It is clear, however, that more research will continue to be conducted to understand the characteristics of rattlesnakes.

What can the reader infer about rattlesnakes based on the passage?

• A. Rattlesnakes have qualities that are similar to humans.

• B. Rattlesnakes shake their rattles in unison to communicate.

• C. Rattlesnakes are scary and well-understood creatures.

• D. Rattlesnakes have been known to live for a very long time

Rattlesnakes

Scientists have studied rattlesnakes for hundreds of years, yet, there continue to be myths about these snakes.

The snake's rattle, which lends it its name, contains hard, loose parts made of the same material found in human nails. When cornered, the snake shakes its tail to make a rattling noise. Researchers used to think that the number of rattles on a snake indicates its age. However, it is now known that each time a rattlesnake sheds its skin, it adds a rattle. These snakes shed their skins about four times a year, and often the rattles break off.

Research shows that rattlesnakes have deep social ties. Mothers and babies are known to stay together until babies first shed their skin. Mothers keep their young close to them. If they sense any threat, they shake their rattles and adopt a threatening posture. Studies also show that some rattlesnake young even return to their mother's den after they have grown up.

Volumes of literature exist on rattlesnakes. It is clear, however, that more research will continue to be conducted to understand the characteristics of rattlesnakes.

What can the reader infer based on the second paragraph of the passage?

• A. The snake uses the rattle for many reasons except protection.

• B. The rattlesnake’s skin does not contain material found in human bodies.

• C. The rattlesnake is known to shed parts of its skin once every year.

• D. The snake's rattle is not a dependable source to determine a rattlesnake’s age.

Coffee is one of the most traded products in the world and has become an important part of most people's lives.

Coffee originated centuries ago. According to a legend, Kaldi, a shepherd in Ethiopia, noticed his goats were suddenly more energetic than usual after eating some berries from an unknown plant. He told the abbot, the leader of the monks about the incident. When the abbot tested that the berries were indeed "wonder beans," he decided to use them to prepare a beverage. To get maximum benefits from the berries, he dried and roasted these beans, and then he put them in hot boiling water. This drink helped the other monks to remain awake and alert during long meetings. Slowly, the word of this newly-discovered bean and its benefits spread as far as the Arabian Peninsula.

Over the years, coffee was used at homes and in coffee houses, which grew rapidly in small towns and villages across the Middle East and East Africa. These coffee houses became meeting points for people to chat, exchange news, and debate on different topics. Today, coffee is commonly consumed in homes and coffee shops all over the world.

Which of these statements is supported by the second paragraph of the passage?

• A. People in the past used to spend their days looking after animals.

• B. Coffee beans were discovered so long ago that most people do not know their true origin.

• C. People from distant places started using coffee beans as the beans became popular.

• D. Shepherds used to remain alert and take great care of their goats.

Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook was an eighteenth century British explorer and navigator. He embodied the Age of Exploration, a period during which the Europeans traversed and mapped the globe. Cook discovered many unknown lands and regions during his career. He is still highly regarded today because he helped redraw the maps of the known world.

Cook was born in 1728 in a small village. His father was a farm worker of modest means. In his late teens, Cook moved to the coast and became an apprentice on a merchant ship. He studied navigation and mathematics, and he became a good sailor. Cook joined the Royal Navy in 1755. He served in North America and took part in the Seven Years' War.

In 1768, Cook sailed to the Pacific Ocean on a mission to chart Venus as it crossed paths with the Sun. His travels took him to New Zealand and then to the eastern shores of Australia where no European had ever been. Cook charted the shores and claimed the land for Britain. In 1772, he led a second voyage south in search of the southern continent. He came close to the Antarctic but never reached the coast.

Cook's third and final voyage in 1776 was to discover the Northwest Passage—the fabled route that connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On the trip, Cook visited Hawaii and the northwest coast of North America. He reached the Bering Strait but was unable to pass. He returned to Hawaii where he died in 1779.

Which of the following can the reader infer from the passage above?

• A. Captain Cook was primarily interested in making a profit from his travels.

• B. Captain Cook wanted to settle down on one of the islands he discovered.

• C. Captain Cook was a skilled navigator who kept careful records of his travels.

• D. Captain Cook preferred exploring the warmer climates around the globe.

Read the following statement.

Algae is healthy.

Which sentence from the passage best supports this inference?

Algae

Algae is one of the oldest living organisms on earth. Algae do not flower, nor do they have stems, roots, or leaves. Algae is part of a large group of nonflowering plants that includes seaweed as well as other single-celled forms. Algae is beneficial to us in many ways.

For one, algae contains beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a vitamin that has been shown to help fight certain types of cancer and heart conditions. Additionally, algae is an excellent source of protein. Protein is what makes people's muscles strong, and helps to grow hair, skin, and nails. Algae has also been known to help treat diabetes, allergies, and liver diseases because it helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Aside from improving people's health, algae can also be used to clean and supplement decreasing natural resources such as water and fuel. Because algae store energy in the form of oils and carbohydrates, they can be converted to biofuel to run cars and other machinery that typically depend on gas and oil. Algae can also be used to purify wastewater, so the water can be used again for drinking, watering crops, and taking care of many other agricultural needs. Algae is truly an extraordinary resource!

• Algae is one of the oldest living organisms on earth.

• Algae is beneficial to us in many ways.

• Algae has also been known to help treat diabetes, allergies, and liver diseases because it helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

• Algae can also be used to purify wastewater, so the water can be used again for drinking, watering crops, and taking care of many other agricultural needs.