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Textual Evidence and Inferences Test Prep

Total questions: 38

Worksheet time: 6hrs 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Answer the questions or follow the directions for the textbook passages below.

1Stereotyping consists of assigning traits to people solely on the basis of a category. 2Some researchers suggest that stereotyping has four clear phases. 3First, a person distinguishes a particular category of people—for example, economists. 4Second, the person notes that one or more of the people in this category have certain traits—for example, dullness. 5Third, the person generalizes that everyone in this category has these characteristics—for example, that all economists are dull. 6Finally, when meeting someone the person is not acquainted with but knows to be, for example, an economist, the person stereotypes this individual as dull.


Select TWO supporting details of the main idea in the paragraph:

a)

Third, the person generalizes that everyone in this category has these characteristics—for example, that all economists are dull.

b)

First, a person distinguishes a particular category of people—for example, economists.

c)

Everyone stereotypes other people in one way or another.

d)

Some researchers suggest that stereotyping has four clear phases.

2.
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?
a)
She will ignore him and pretend she doesn't see.
b)
She will laugh at him because he's on the ground.
c)
She will help him up and give him a piece of gum.
d)
She will scold Brian for not paying attention in class.
3.
Macey's mom noticed that she was squinting as she read her book, which was only a few inches away from her face. She scheduled a doctor's appointment for the next week, and when the doctor said Macey needed glasses, she tried on every single pair in the office. After spending an hour looking at glasses, mom suggested that perhaps she should sleep on it and come back and decide in the morning. Macey agreed, but she kept talking about the pros and cons of each pair all night long. 
What can you infer about Macey?
a)
Macey is mad at her mother.
b)
Macey does not want glasses.
c)
Macey is very excited about getting glasses.
d)
Macey has trouble making decisions.
4.
Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. The dogs keep the flock from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. Sheepdogs are known for their loyalty and gentleness. Based on your reading of the text, you can INFER that:
a)
Sheepdogs are not very smart dogs.
b)
Sheepdogs are gentle and loyal.
c)
There are many breeds of dogs.
d)
Wolves are afraid of sheepdogs.
5.
Many breeds of dogs are used for work. In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. Sheepdogs are used to keep the flock of sheep from being attacked by animals such as wolves. They also keep sheep from wandering off. 
What text-based evidence supports your inference?
a)
Many breeds of dogs are used for work.
b)
In many cultures dogs are used to herd sheep. 
c)
Sheepdogs are used to keep the flock of sheep from being attacked by animals such as wolves. 
d)
They also keep sheep from wandering off. 
6.

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.

Select TWO supporting details that support the main idea of the passage:

a)

Soccer players are great athletes who are heroes to many kids.

b)

Soccer players learn how to dribble.

c)

They learn how to work together as teammates.

d)

Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer.

7.
Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America. It is on the Niagra River halfway between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Niagra Falls is located on the American and Canadian border. The American Falls is 167 feet high. On the Canadian side, the Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 
a)
The American Falls is 167 feet high
b)
The Horseshoe Falls is 161 feet high
c)
Niagra Falls is one of the most beautiful sights in North America
d)
It is located between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
8.

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.


What time of day do you think it is and why?

a)

morning because birds are out at that time

b)

lunch time because she wanted to feed the birds

c)

evening because there was no one on the street

d)

afternoon because she is coming home from school

9.

Vince slammed his fist against the locker. Most of the students had already gone into their classes. The bell would ring soon. Vince looked around quickly but saw no friendly faces. He looked at the locker again and started spinning the lock, first right, then left, then right. He took a deep breath and pulled the lock. It did not open. Vince let out a grunt at the exact moment the bell rang.

He grabbed the handle of the locker and yanked it repeatedly in a fit of rage. Then he threw his arms against the locker and put his head into his arms. Finally, he pushed himself off of the locker and went to look for help.


Why is Vince upset?

a)

He has a headache.

b)

He is locked out of his locker and late for class.

c)

He has homework.

d)

He does not like school.

10.

Which of the following gives the BEST definition of the term "infer" as it relates to the study of a text?

a)

to draw a reasoned conclusion based on evidence

b)

to guess

c)

to hint at but not state directly

d)

to restate an idea in different wording

11.

Jenna was shocked when she opened the door to her apartment. There were long rips in the couch, as though someone had run knives down the front of it. A lamp was shattered on the floor. Some picture frames were hanging crookedly, some of them had fallen off the wall and the door to her cat's travel cage was open. Not only that, but the door to the birdcage was swinging back and forth and there were feathers on the floor. She could have sworn that she had locked her cat in the travel cage before she left for work. At first Jenna thought it might have been burglars. Oh no, she thought. Someone broke into my apartment, trashed the place, and stole my cat! Then she heard the cat meowing in her bedroom. She ran to the bedroom and saw the cat patting one of Jenna's favorite shoes with its claws. "That's it!" Jenna yelled. "I'm done with this." She threw the cat back into its travel cage and tried to shut the door, but the lock wouldn't catch. Jenna huffed and then grabbed some duct tape.


What happened to Jenna's apartment?

a)

Someone broke into Jenna's apartment

b)

Someone stole Jenna's cat

c)

Jenna's cat escaped its cage and destroyed her apartment

d)

Jenna's bird escaped its cage and destroyed her apartment

12.

Which of the following gives the BEST definition of the term "textual evidence"?

a)

specific details from the text that support the conclusion you have drawn

b)

quotes from the text

c)

any mention of something from the text

d)

a short summary of the text's main ideas

13.

Question: How does allowing employees to telecommute impact businesses?


Answer: Allowing employees to telecommute causes businesses to see gains in productivity. The article mentions that studies "have shown that those who work from home put in longer hours."


Choose the best explanation sentence to finish the answer above.

a)

Because the telecommuting workers are spending more time on their work, the company will see more work getting done.

b)

Working at home causes employees to produce more.

c)

These studies prove that businesses that give workers the option of telecommuting will have more productivity from those workers.

14.
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.”
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.
15.
 “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.”
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.
16.

Which of the following BEST defines the term "analyze" as it relates to the study of a text?

a)

to examine in detail in order to better understand

b)

to identify and measure the chemical components of a substance

c)

to examine someone's thoughts, feelings, and behavior as a way of dealing with their emotional or mental problems.

d)

to identify the parts of something

17.

From the back seat, Tim looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Tim's father put the last box in the trunk, and his mother started up the car. Thor, his dog, put his head on Tim's lap, like he understood how Tim was feeling. "It's okay, Thor," Tim said. "Dad says we will like California."


Which of the following presents the inference that is best supported by the text?

a)

Tim is sad because his parents are splitting up.

b)

Tim is nervous about going to his first sleepover.

c)

Tim is taking Thor to live with a new family.

d)

Tim and his family are moving to California.

18.

Broken,

1 Pieces scattered on the ground

2 Shattered little fragments,

3 Crushed without a sound

4 People walk all over them,

5 Grind them into dust

6 Blow around, forgotten,

7 Swept away in a gust..


Which line helps you to know the speaker feels ignored or overlooked?

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

5

19.

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. "9:48," she shouted,"Holy cow!"

Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door.

Cassie is late to school. How do you know this?

a)

Cassie rolled over.

b)

She threw on the first outfit she found, grabbed her books, and ran out the door.

c)

Cassie struggled to open her eyes.

20.
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. 
a)
True
b)
False
21.
What is an inference?
a)
 An inference is something that you think is true based on information that you have.
b)
An inference is directly written in the text
22.
To make an inference, we use evidence from the text, and our prior knowledge. 
a)
True
b)
False
23.
Rosario was enjoying her vacation in the California sun. She was lying on araft in the ocean. This was perfect, Rosario thought. There was no noise—no childrenscreaming, no horns honking—and there were no papers to grade. All she couldhear was the crashing of the waves onto the beach. Rosario sighed and lookedaround her at the beauty of the ocean. Then she saw something long and graycoming toward her on an approaching wave. She thought, “This could only be onething!” and started yelling for help. She paddled back to shore as quickly as she could.She made it to the shore in one piece , but she realized that many people were laughing at her.
We can infer that the "thing" was not a...
a)
shark
b)
surfer
c)
swimmer
24.
Which piece of evidence could be used to BEST support this claim:
High school students should be required to wear uniforms.
a)
When adding everything up, a school uniform could end up costing more than $200.
b)
A student reported, "Allowing us to wear our own clothes gives us a chance to show our unique style and independence."
c)
At one school that recently required students to wear uniforms, attendence rates went up, and behavior incidents went down.
d)
School uniforms can be ordered online .
25.

They weren’t on the hook by the phone and they weren’t in her purse. Alison checked the pockets of the jacket she’d worn the day before, but they weren’t there either. She looked at her watch and realized she would be late for work if she didn’t leave soon..

What is Alison looking for?

a)

Her Keys

b)

Her Car

c)

Her Cat

d)

Her Smoothie

26.
Which piece of evidence could BEST be used to prove this claim:
The government SHOULD decide what students eat for lunch.
a)
School lunches, on average have only about 550 calories;however, lunches brought from home have about 850 calories.
b)
The GAO report said that students in one district refused to eat school lunches for three weeks.
c)
The rules make lunches cheap for students, but they cost schools money.
27.
What can you infer from someone putting their hands over their ears at a concert?
a)
They love the concert.
b)
The singer is their favorite. 
c)
The music is too loud.
d)
Nothing.
28.

Before the 1800's people didn't have right or left shoes. They had shoes of just one shape that they used for both feet. When people first saw right and left shoes, they laughed. They called them "crooked shoes." "What a silly idea," they said.

After reading this text, you might infer that shoes before 1800:

a)

were pretty

b)

didn't look alike

c)

didn't fit very well

d)

were easy to make

29.

Mr. Thomas sat on the front porch of his house in a bathrobe and bunny slippers with his head in his hands. He was holding the daily newspaper. The sun shined brightly in the sky. His neighbors were coming out of their houses and getting in their cars. Mr. Thomas sighed. His neighbor Mr. Rosencrantz stepped out on his porch and saw Mr. Thomas. "Did it again, huh?" said Mr. Rosencrantz. Mr. Thomas replied, "Yep." Mr. Rosencrantz chuckled and said, "Here, Mr. Thomas, you can use my cell phone. I could even keep a key over here if you wanted." Tom thankfully grabbed the cell phone and called his wife. "Honey, I did it again." Mr. Rosencrantz heard Mrs. Thomas yelling at Mr. Thomas in a distorted high-pitched squeal. "Yes, dear. I'm so sorry. I'll see you soon," Mr. Thomas returned the phone, sighed deeply, and ran his fingers through his hair.

What is the thing that Mr. Thomas "did again"?

a)

Wore bunny slippers

b)

Sighed

c)

Locked himself out of the house

d)

Ran his fingers through his hair

30.
Excerpt from: Home Emergencies
By: Carole Jenkins
(1)Many people have never thought about what they would do when faced with a home emergency, such as a tornado, a hurricane, or a fire. (2)People get scared and don't act right. (3)Being prepared in case of emergencies can reduce the risk of danger and prevent panic should emergencies occur.
Q: 
 The passage suggests that being prepared in case of an emergency is important because
a)
it is a law that all families have an emergency plan..
b)
forest fires can become dangerous in a matter of seconds.
c)
many people do not own a battery operated radio in their home.
d)
it prevents chaos and risk of injury in the event of an emergency.
31.
Excerpt from: I Have a Dream (2)
Martin Luther King, Jr.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
Q: 
 What significant theme topic from American literature is present in this speech?
a)
physical force
b)
freedom of speech
c)
struggle for justice
d)
patriotism for American
32.

What is the formula for an inference?

a)

Front-ground Details + More Details = Inference

b)

Background Knowledge + Evidence = Inference

c)

background + knowledge = Inference

d)

trick question - there is no such thing

33.

Jenna was shocked when she opened the door to her apartment. There were long rips in the couch, as though someone had run knives down the front of it. A lamp was shattered on the floor. Some picture frames were hanging crookedly, some of them had fallen off the wall and the door to her cat's travel cage was open. Not only that, but the door to the birdcage was swinging back and forth and there were feathers on the floor. She could have sworn that she had locked her cat in the travel cage before she left for work. At first Jenna thought it might have been burglars. Oh no, she thought. Someone broke into my apartment, trashed the place, and stole my cat! Then she heard the cat meowing in her bedroom. She ran to the bedroom and saw the cat patting one of Jenna's favorite shoes with its claws. "That's it!" Jenna yelled. "I'm done with this." She threw the cat back into its travel cage and tried to shut the door, but the lock wouldn't catch. Jenna huffed and then grabbed some duct tape.


What is the best text evidence to support the inference that Jenna's cat ate her bird?

a)

Not only that, but the door to the birdcage was swinging back and forth and there were feathers on the floor.

b)

Someone broke into my apartment, trashed the place, and stole my cat!

c)

She ran to the bedroom and saw the cat patting one of Jenna's favorite shoes with its claws.

d)

She could have sworn that she had locked her cat in the travel cage before she left for work.

34.
Tim looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Tim's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Thor, his dog, put his head on Tim's lap, like he understood how  Tim was feeling. "It's okay Thor," he said, "Dad says we will like California."
Which inference is NOT supported by the text? 
a)
Tim is sad because his family is moving to California.
b)
Tim's father is moving is family to California because of a new job. 
c)
Thor is a affectionate dog who cares for Tim. 
d)
Tim is moving to California with his family.
35.
What evidence supports the inference that the little girl is sick?
a)
She's smiling
b)
She has a thermometer in her mouth.
c)
Her mother just gave her medicine.
d)
She's wearing a blue robe.
36.
The toothbrush as we know it today was not invented until 1938. However, early forms of the toothbrush have been in existence since 3000 BC. Ancient civilizations used a "chew stick," which was a thin twig with a frayed end. These 'chew sticks' were rubbed against the teeth. The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was not invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo. Boar bristles were used until 1938, when nylon bristles were introduced by Dupont de Nemours. The first nylon toothbrush was called Doctor West's Miracle Toothbrush. Later, Americans were influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of soldiers from World War II. They became increasingly concerned with the practice of good oral hygiene and quickly adopted the nylon toothbrush.
What can you infer about the nylon toothbrush?
a)
It was cheaper than previous toothbrushes.
b)
It worked better than any toothbrush before it.
c)
It was very popular when it was invented.
d)
It originally used animal hairs.
37.

The sun climbed in the sky, and the day got hotter. Just as Karina turned on a small portable fan to cool herself, someone began yelling in the water. Karina immediately jumped off her chair and ran toward the shore. She soon realized the person was yelling “shark.” She froze. She had never experienced a shark sighting before but knew that she should get everyone out of the water. She began to pull people out of the water and assisted young children who couldn’t move quickly enough.

Based on the passage, what do we know about Katrina's experience as a lifeguard?

a)

She is afraid but knows what action to take.

b)

She hates this job.

c)

She panics and runs away.

d)

She has no clue what she should do.

38.

How do you make an inference?

a)

You look for clues in the text, little pieces of information that seem to relate to the missing information or your question.

b)

You think about what you already know from your own experience in the real world.

c)

You look for clues, hints, and evidence, and think about what you know together in a logical way to produce a reasonable conclusion that supplies the missing piece of information or the answer to your question.

d)

All the above