Infer

Ben is auditioning for a part in the school play. He's been fine all day, but right before the audition he says he feels sick. You might infer that Ben __________.

• is nervous about the audition

• is happy about the play

• never gets sick

• is allergic to peanuts

James is standing near the corner when a bus roars by. James yelps and runs after it, waving his arms frantically. The BEST inference you can make is that James ________.

• is going on a field trip

• is training to run a race

• wanted to ride that bus

• recognized someone on the bus

Which statement about an inference is correct?

• a. an inference is not based on any evidence.

• b. an inference is based only on what a text says.

• c. an inference always turns out to be right.

• d. an inference requires that you use clues.

Inferencing means ________.

• a. understanding exactly what the text says

• b. using background knowledge and the text to read between the lines

• c. determining what's a fact and what's an opinion

• d. using word parts to decode an unknown word

Caitlin said, "Jason."

We can infer that…

• Jason was the best player.

• Caitlin wanted Jason on her team.

• Jason was not a very good player.

• Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.

As the teacher lectured the class about how important it was to pay attention, Brian found himself staring out the window again. Suddenly, a little boy came up to the window and peeked in. The boy blew a bubble with his gum and it exploded all over his face and the window. Brian began laughing so hard he fell out of his seat. The rest of the class silently stared at him as the teacher walked to his desk. 
What can you infer about how the teacher will react?

• She will help him up and give him a piece of gum. 

• She will scold him for not paying attention in class because she never saw the boy in the window. 

• She will think it is funny that he is on the ground and laugh at him.

• She will pretend she doesn't see him and ignore his behavior.

An inference is...

• text evidence + background knowledge (schema)

• making a wild guess

• summarising the text

• information you can find directly in the text

Text evidence are clues that help readers make an inference.

• True

• False

To infer, a reader must...

• use their own words to retell what the text is mostly about.

• locate the figurative language that is in the text.

• figure out something that wasn't completely explained in the text.

• think about how to answer a multiple choice question.

The little boy looked sheepishly down at the ground. His mom clenched her teeth together. She couldn't believe what he had just done!

• He has created a beautiful painting for her.

• He has eaten the pie she baked for dessert.

• He smiled at her and said, "I love you, mama."

• He ate his lunch of peanut butter and jelly.