Free Printable Inferences

1.

Do writers always tell their readers exactly what they mean all the time, or do they allow readers to draw conclusions and at least discover some of the meanings on their own?

a)

Always tell the reader exactly what they mean

b)

Allow the readers to draw conclusions and discover some of the meanings on their own

c)

Authors don’t include meanings in their work.

2.

Writers of fiction often show their characters in action and allow them to speak for themselves. Readers then have the job of deciding what those actions and words mean and what they reveal about the characters, the events of the story and the message.

a)

The passage above is explaining central idea/theme

b)

The passage above is explaining summary

c)

The passage above is explaining inference

3.

An inference in fiction is a reasonable conclusion or judgment about some element of a story based on information given in the story and the reader's personal knowledge of how the world works.

a)

An inference is a conclusion about some element of a story based on information from the story and a persons knowledge of how the world works

b)

A theme is a conclusion about some element of a story based on information from the story and a persons knowledge of how the world works

c)

An inference is a conclusion about some element of a story based on information from the story and a communities knowledge of how the world works

4.

You've made many inferences in your life, but you might not even know it. For instance, your cat runs up to you the minute you step through the door. She meows, rubs your legs, runs into the kitchen and stares at the cupboard where you normally store the cat food. It doesn't take much effort to figure out that your cat wants food. You've just drawn an inference.

a)

People make inferences constantly in their daily lives

b)

People do not make inferences constantly in their daily lives

c)

People are unable to make inferences in their daily lives

5.

Drawing inferences from fiction follows a similar process. Suppose you are reading along, you notice that the writer seems to leave out a piece of information, or you have a question about something in the story like a character's motivation or the meaning of a piece of dialogue. How do you find the missing information or answer your question?

a)

You make an inference

b)

You sequence the information

c)

You summarize

6.

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

7.

Evidently, there was a disturbing quality in the sound that Sabor heard, something that inspired a certain restlessness, if not actual apprehension, though she could not be sure as yet that it boded ill. It might be her great lord returning, but it did not sound like the movement of a lion, certainly not like a lion dragging a heavy kill. She glanced at her cub, breathing as she did so a plaintive whine. There was always the fear that some danger menaced him, this last of her little family, but she, Sabor, was there to defend him.

Based on details in the excerpt, the reader can conclude that Sabor is -

a)

a pet bear

b)

the pack leader

c)

a mother lion

d)

the cub

8.

Evidently, there was a disturbing quality in the sound that Sabor heard, something that inspired a certain restlessness, if not actual apprehension, though she could not be sure as yet that it boded ill. It might be her great lord returning, but it did not sound like the movement of a lion, certainly not like a lion dragging a heavy kill. She glanced at her cub, breathing as she did so a plaintive whine. There was always the fear that some danger menaced him, this last of her little family, but she, Sabor, was there to defend him.

The reader can infer that-

a)

the cub will be taken

b)

someone is hunting Sabor

c)

there is nothing to fear

d)

there is danger coming

9.

"I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Doll! It's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy's games and work and manners! I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy. And it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa. And I can only stay home and knit, like a poky old woman!"

Based on details in the excerpt, the reader can conclude that the...

a)

characters are living in a war

b)

narrator is usually unhappy

c)

characters are a close family

d)

narrator hates all girls

10.

"I hate to think I've got to grow up, and be Miss March, and wear long gowns, and look as prim as a China Doll! It's bad enough to be a girl, anyway, when I like boy's games and work and manners! I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy. And it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa. And I can only stay home and knit, like a poky old woman!"

The reader can infer that the narrator...

a)

would like to look like a boy

b)

wants the freedom boys have

c)

thinks she is different

d)

does not want to grow up

11.

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.

12.

It is snowing. Your friend Justina is coming to sleep over. She texts your that she's on her way but will be late. What is the best inference you can make?

a)

Justina is doing her homework.

b)

Justina is babysitting her brother.

c)

Traffic is slow due to the weather.

d)

Justina can't come to your house.

13.

Your mother is wearing a rain coat. When she comes inside, she puts down an umbrella. The best inference you could make is that....

a)

she is picking your brother up from school

b)

she needs to go grocery shopping

c)

it is raining outside

d)

it is May

14.

Terrence is camping alone. It is dry and windy out. He falls asleep in his sleeping bag near the blazing campfire. What is the best inference you could make?

a)

There will be a hurricane

b)

Someone will stop by

c)

An animal will leap into the flames

d)

The fire may spread

15.

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...

a)

Is going on a field trip

b)

is training to run a race

c)

wanted to ride that bus

d)

recognized someone on the bus

16.

A girl tells you her cat's name is Grumpy Gus. You might infer that the cat...

a)

is a kitten

b)

is often in a bad mood

c)

is large

d)

is in your backyard

17.

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...

a)

is nervous about the audition

b)

is happy about the play

c)

never gets sick

d)

is allergic to peanuts

18.

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. You can tell that shoes before 1800:

a)

were pretty

b)

didn't look alike

c)

didn't fit very well

19.

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." What is happening?

a)

Tim is sad because his dog doesn't have a house to live in.

b)

Tim is taking a trip to visit peolpe he doesn't know.

c)

Tim is taking Thor to live with his grandmother.

d)

Tim is moving to California with his family.

20.

Joseph and Caitlin were choosing the players for their teams. It was Caitlin's turn to choose, and only Jason was left. Caitlin said, "Jason."

We can infer that…

a)

Jason was the best player.

b)

Caitlin wanted Jason on her team.

c)

Jason was not a very good player.

d)

Caitlin had a hard time choosing a team member.

21.

Which sentence from the selection shows that the pet is a cat?

a)

Bryan had to feed his pet every day.

b)

Bryan had to take his pet outside right away after school.

c)

It was Bryan's job to clean out the litter box every 3 days.

d)

Bryanʼs pet never bites.

22.

Which sentence from the selection suggests that Suzy likes to play basketball?

a)

Suzy's mom makes Suzy practice basketball every day.

b)

Suzy looks forward to her basketball games.

c)

Suzy scored 5 points in her last basketball game.

d)

Suzy and her mom get ice cream after her basketball games.

23.

Which sentence suggests that Joanna rode her bike to school?

a)

Joannaʼs hair was a little messy when she got to school.

b)

Joanna crossed three streets on her way to school.

c)

Joanna went four blocks on her way to school.

d)

Joanna had to put her helmet inside the classroom closet.

24.

Which of the following shows why Sam refused to play in the tournament?

a)

SAM: Yeah, I think so, too.

b)

SAM: Why? Because I 'm a girl?

c)

SAM: Oh, I don't think so.

d)

SAM: You wouldn't appreciate my talents, since I'm a girl!

25.

Which line from the play supports the idea that Cara's proud of the work she's done with G-pa?

a)

CARA: Is this good enough, Grandpa?

b)

CARA: Grandma's coming!

c)

CARA: We're out here, Grandma!

d)

CARA: We did it with our own four hands!

26.

Gavin plays baseball and accidentally breaks a window. How do you think he feels?

a)

He is scared of getting in trouble.

b)

He feels happy and excited he threw the ball so hard.

c)

He can't wait to break another window.

d)

He is thinking he should study his spelling words.

27.

Grandpa sees that his chocolate cake is all gone. Brad has crumbs on his mouth. What do you think happened?

a)

Brad baked his own cake.

b)

Brad needs to brush his teeth better.

c)

Brad ate Grandpa's chocolate cake.

d)

Brad ate Grandpa

28.

Which sent. from the story shows that Marvin doesn't want to create more problems for his mom?

a)

"I can wear my old shoes'" Marvin offered.

b)

"It's not regular television," Marvin tried to explain.

c)

Marvin didn't know what to do.

29.

“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.

30.

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.
Which probably happened?

a)

Turner realized that he had an unnatural fear of falling radio parts.

b)

Turner had promised himself to do something silly that morning.

c)

Turner had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.

d)

Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus ride.

31.

Blood cholesterol used to be thought of as a problem only for adults.

What can you infer about blood cholesterol?

a)

Blood cholesterol is no longer a problem for adults.

b)

Only children have a problem with blood cholesterol.

c)

Blood cholesterol affects both adults and children.

32.

As an architect, Thomas Jefferson preferred the Roman style, as seen in the buildings of the University of Virginia, to the English style favored by Charles Bullfinch.

What you infer based on this statement?

a)

The architecture of the University of Virginia was influenced by the Roman style.

b)

Bullfinch was an English architect.

c)

Jefferson preferred to build in the English style of architecture.

33.

His breath smelled of Jack and Coke, and the disheveled appearance, slurred speech, and occasional stumbles betrayed a struggle that seemingly threatened to overtake him.

What can we infer about the man described in the passage?

a)

The man is confident and healthy

b)

The man is deeply depressed

c)

The man struggles with alcoholism

d)

The man is deeply religious

34.

Braden looked out the window. The house looked so lonely. Braden's father put the last suitcase in the trunk and started up the car. Shaggy, his dog, put his head on Braden's lap, like he understood how Braden was feeling. "It's okay Shag," he said, "Dad says we will like California." What can the reader infer is happening?

a)

Braden is sad because his dog doesn't have a house to live in.

b)

Braden is taking a trip to visit people he doesn't know.

c)

Braden is taking Shaggy to live with his grandmother.

d)

Braden is moving to California with his family.

35.

Due to their incredible force, floods can cause LOTS of damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. They often leave mud, sand and destruction behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.

Based on what you have read, you can infer that:

a)

Cleaning up after a flood can be expensive and take time.

b)

Floods only occur along the coast.

c)

Floods are not that dangerous.

d)

Mudslides are fun.

36.

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. You can tell that shoes before 1800:

a)

were pretty

b)

didn't look alike

c)

didn't fit very well

37.

Every four years, February has an extra day. When this happens, it is called Leap Year. But even with the extra day, February is still the shortest month of the year. Some months, like June and November, have 30 days. Other months like March and August, have 31 days.
It is likely that:

a)

February has longer days

b)

February has less than 30 days

c)

February has more than 31 days

38.

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.

39.

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was "presentable," as Alice had often said.
What type of relationship do Paul and Alice have?

a)

They are brother and sister

b)

They are neighbors

c)

They are colleagues

d)

They are husband and wife

40.

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.

Inferences

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 1hrs 17mins

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