Inference and Evidence

To make an inference, we use evidence from the text, and our prior knowledge. 

• True

• False

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.

Read the following novel excerpt and answer the question. It was the sea eagle that called Emily down to the beach. It hovered above the waves, it's broad wings dusty where the land had left its mark, its small eyes that could follow the human speckled horizon bright and keen. She hadn't meant to come down onto the busy beach. She'd meant to sit at the top of the ramp till the other kids had left the crowded street, till she could walk home from her school in peace without any nosy bystanders staring at her, but somehow the bird seemed to urge her to come down. Based on the text, what can you infer about Emily?

• She is ready to party on the beach

• She is on vacation

• She wants to be left alone

• She wants to go swimming

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

If you're like most students, you remember going to Kindergarten with a backpack bigger than you were. Students now carry everything from textbooks to laptops in their backpacks. They even cram instruments in there, too. Although you may be able to shoulder the heavy weight, more and more students are complaining.

What specific evidence from the text best supports your inference in question 1?

• "If your're like most students, you remember going to Kindergarten with a backpack bigger than you."

• "Although you may be able to shoulder the heavy weight, more and more students are complaining."

• "They even cram instruments in there, too."

• "Students now carry everything from textbooks to laptops in their backpacks."

A story describes a town that has boarded-up windows, empty streets, and no children playing in the parks. What can you infer about this town?

• The town is preparing for a festival.

• The town is experiencing economic prosperity.

• The town has been abandoned or is in decline.

• The town is under a strict curfew.

In a mystery novel, the detective notices that the door to the victim's house is unlocked, but there are no signs of forced entry. What inference can be made from this evidence?

• The victim knew the perpetrator.

• The door was left unlocked by accident.

• The lock was broken after the incident.

• The detective is not paying attention to details.

A detective enters the house by breaking down the front door. He looks around the house which has been ransacked and he sees blood on the floor. He investigates further and sees that the back door is locked. What can you infer?

• A crime has occurred and the suspect has already left the house with a hostage.

• Someone was injured and went to the hospital.

• A crime has occurred and someone is injured. Both are still in the house.

• Someone is injured and in the house somewhere.

In a narrative, a character frequently reminisces about their childhood home by the sea and expresses a desire to return. What can you infer about the character's feelings towards their past?

• The character dislikes their childhood.

• The character is indifferent about their past.

• The character has fond memories of their childhood.

• The character is afraid of the sea.

In a novel, a character who is usually very punctual starts arriving late to appointments. What inference can be made about the character's current situation?

• The character has lost interest in their appointments.

• The character is experiencing a change in their personal or professional life.

• The character no longer respects the people they are meeting.

• The character has become more relaxed about time.