Inferences at Work

When writers do not state the way a character feels, the writer will include details that readers must use to make inferences or form opinions about how a character feels. When you make inferences, you use:

• Dictionaries and Wikipedia to locate answers.

• Your own imagination and ignore the text.

• Observations, prior knowledge and experiences, and details from the text.

• None of the above.

Albert stormed into his apartment and threw down his lunchbox. He had just lost his job. Albert had worked for the same company for over ten years. But today he was informed that he was no longer needed. Albert didn't know what to do.  
Based on what you have read, you can INFER  that:

• Albert threw down his lunchbox.

• Albert's job lasted over ten years.

• Losing his job made Albert upset.

• Albert lived in a house with his parents.

Caitlin said, "Jason." We can infer that…

• Jason was the best player.

• Caitlin was Jason's sister

• Jason was not a very good player.

• Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.

The sandwich you left on the table is gone. Crumbs lead to your dog's bed and a piece of meat hangs our of her mouth. You can infer that......

• Your mother threw the sandwich away. 

• Your sister took your sandwich and ate it.

• Your cat ate your sandwich.

• Your dog ate your sandwich.

To make good inferences you need to...

• read fast

• pay attention to details

• look up every unfamiliar word

• pick your nose

good INFERENCE is...

• wild guess

• never supported

• supported with evidence

• is hard to find

It can be inferred that the people are carrying something.

• true

• false

When making inferences in a text, a reader should rely on:

• A) The author's biography.

• B) The text's explicit statements only.

• C) Context clues and prior knowledge.

• D) The book's cover design.

In the sentence 'The sky was a deep, dark gray, and the wind howled through the trees,' what can you infer about the weather?

• A) It is a sunny day.

• B) A storm is likely approaching.

• C) It is a calm evening.

• D) The weather is warm and pleasant.

Which of the following is an example of making an inference?

• A) Reading the title of a book.

• B) Guessing the ending of a story without reading it.

• C) Concluding a character is sad because they are crying.

• D) Skipping to the last chapter of a book.