Read the story. Use the clues to infer what the boys did: Ethan’s heart pounded as he stared at the house. The yard was too quiet. Liam and Jordan ran up beside him. “Nice hit!” Liam started to say, but then his eyes went wide. Ethan followed his gaze. A long crack stretched across the kitchen window. No one said a word. A baseball lay in the dirt, just below the glass. Jordan swallowed. “Was that us?” The front door at the house slowly opened… What did the boys do?

Read the story. Use the clues to infer what Buddy is waiting for: Buddy sat by the front door, his tail curled around his paws. It was almost time. A car rumbled down the street. His ears perked up, and his tail thumped against the floor. He stood up, watching out the window, but the car drove past. His tail stopped wagging. He let out a small whine and lay back down. A few minutes later, the big yellow school bus screeched to a stop at the corner. Buddy’s ears shot up. He scrambled to his feet, his tail wagging so fast it made a soft thump-thump-thump against the floor. Footsteps crunched on the path as someone walked up to the house. Buddy let out one excited bark and raced to the door. Who is Buddy waiting for? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story. Use the clues to infer what Buddy is waiting for: Buddy sat by the front door, his tail curled around his paws. It was almost time. A car rumbled down the street. His ears perked up, and his tail thumped against the floor. He stood up, watching out the window, but the car drove past. His tail stopped wagging. He let out a small whine and lay back down. A few minutes later, the big yellow school bus screeched to a stop at the corner. Buddy’s ears shot up. He scrambled to his feet, his tail wagging so fast it made a soft thump-thump-thump against the floor. Footsteps crunched on the path as someone walked up to the house. Buddy let out one excited bark and raced to the door. Who is Buddy waiting for?

Read the story and infer where Liz and her mom are driving. Story: Liz leaned her head against the car window, watching the trees blur past. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she let out a small sigh. Mom glanced over at her. “Are you okay, Lizzie?” Liz nodded but didn’t say anything. Her throat felt scratchy, and her head was warm. She pulled her jacket tighter around her even though the car heater was on. Mom reached into her bag and passed Liz a water bottle. “Try to drink a little,” she said. Liz took a small sip and closed her eyes. The gentle hum of the car made her feel even sleepier. Mom slowed down at a red light. Liz peeked out the window and saw a big brick building with sliding glass doors. A few people walked inside, bundled up in coats. Mom turned the steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot. “We’ll be there in just a minute,” she said softly. Liz rubbed her eyes. She hoped they wouldn’t have to wait too long. Where are Liz and her mom driving? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and infer where Liz and her mom are driving. Story: Liz leaned her head against the car window, watching the trees blur past. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she let out a small sigh. Mom glanced over at her. “Are you okay, Lizzie?” Liz nodded but didn’t say anything. Her throat felt scratchy, and her head was warm. She pulled her jacket tighter around her even though the car heater was on. Mom reached into her bag and passed Liz a water bottle. “Try to drink a little,” she said. Liz took a small sip and closed her eyes. The gentle hum of the car made her feel even sleepier. Mom slowed down at a red light. Liz peeked out the window and saw a big brick building with sliding glass doors. A few people walked inside, bundled up in coats. Mom turned the steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot. “We’ll be there in just a minute,” she said softly. Liz rubbed her eyes. She hoped they wouldn’t have to wait too long. Where are Liz and her mom driving?

Read the story and infer why today is a big day. Story: Luis jumped out of bed before his alarm even went off. He threw on his favorite shirt (the one with the bright red stripes) and then ran downstairs. Bright blue balloons were tied to the chairs. A big colorful banner stretched across the wall. Luis grinned. “Whoa! Pancakes and decorations?” Mom winked. “Only for someone very special.” Luis slid into his chair. His plate was already piled high with pancakes, covered in syrup and sprinkles. His little sister, Ava, clapped her hands. “You’re old today!” she said. At school, his best friend, Lucas, gave him a high five. “Excited?” Lucas asked. Luis tried to play it cool, but he couldn’t stop smiling. “Maybe,” he said. During math, Luis could hardly sit still. He tapped his pencil, bounced his leg and kept looking at the clock. The day was taking forever! When he got home, Mom had a big smile on her face. “Ready for your friends to get here?” she asked. “I can’t wait!” Luis replied. Why is today a big day for Luis? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and infer why today is a big day. Story: Luis jumped out of bed before his alarm even went off. He threw on his favorite shirt (the one with the bright red stripes) and then ran downstairs. Bright blue balloons were tied to the chairs. A big colorful banner stretched across the wall. Luis grinned. “Whoa! Pancakes and decorations?” Mom winked. “Only for someone very special.” Luis slid into his chair. His plate was already piled high with pancakes, covered in syrup and sprinkles. His little sister, Ava, clapped her hands. “You’re old today!” she said. At school, his best friend, Lucas, gave him a high five. “Excited?” Lucas asked. Luis tried to play it cool, but he couldn’t stop smiling. “Maybe,” he said. During math, Luis could hardly sit still. He tapped his pencil, bounced his leg and kept looking at the clock. The day was taking forever! When he got home, Mom had a big smile on her face. “Ready for your friends to get here?” she asked. “I can’t wait!” Luis replied. Why is today a big day for Luis?

Read the story about Becca packing. Becca pulled her suitcase onto the bed and unzipped it. She tossed in her flip-flops, then grabbed her favorite sunglasses from the dresser. She dug through her drawers, pulling out her shorts and t-shirts. Then she found her new swimsuit. It had bright blue and yellow stripes, like sunshine and the ocean. “Don’t forget sunscreen!” Mom called from the hallway. Becca grabbed the bottle from the bathroom and squeezed it into the side pocket of her suitcase. She looked around her room, thinking. What else would she need? Aha! Her hat! She scooped it off her shelf and placed it on top of her clothes. Then she glanced at her snow boots by the door and laughed. She definitely wouldn’t need those, thankfully! Her suitcase was almost full now. She zipped it up and smiled. Just a few more hours, and they’d be on their way! What is Becca packing for? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story about Becca packing. Becca pulled her suitcase onto the bed and unzipped it. She tossed in her flip-flops, then grabbed her favorite sunglasses from the dresser. She dug through her drawers, pulling out her shorts and t-shirts. Then she found her new swimsuit. It had bright blue and yellow stripes, like sunshine and the ocean. “Don’t forget sunscreen!” Mom called from the hallway. Becca grabbed the bottle from the bathroom and squeezed it into the side pocket of her suitcase. She looked around her room, thinking. What else would she need? Aha! Her hat! She scooped it off her shelf and placed it on top of her clothes. Then she glanced at her snow boots by the door and laughed. She definitely wouldn’t need those, thankfully! Her suitcase was almost full now. She zipped it up and smiled. Just a few more hours, and they’d be on their way! What is Becca packing for?

Read the story about Lily, an eleven‑month‑old baby. Lily, an eleven-month-old baby, sat on the floor, hugging her stuffed bunny. She rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists and let out a big sigh. Her big brother, Jack, held up a rattle and shook it. “Want to play, Lily?” Lily frowned and turned away. Jack tried again, but this time, she let out a loud whine and kicked her feet. Mom looked over. “What’s wrong, Lily?” Lily didn’t answer. She scrunched up her face, wiggled in her spot and dropped her bunny on the floor. A second later, she let out a frustrated cry. Mom picked her up and bounced her gently. “Shh, you’re okay.” Lily squirmed in Mom’s arms, twisting back and forth, but then rested her head on Mom’s shoulder. Her fingers curled around Mom’s shirt, and she let out another whimper. Jack watched as Lily’s eyes drooped halfway shut—just for a second— before she snapped them open again with a tiny cry. Jack shook his head. “She doesn’t know what she wants.” Mom smiled. “She’s had a busy morning.” Lily let out another fussy cry and kicked her feet again. Lily is acting this way because? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story about Lily, an eleven‑month‑old baby. Lily, an eleven-month-old baby, sat on the floor, hugging her stuffed bunny. She rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists and let out a big sigh. Her big brother, Jack, held up a rattle and shook it. “Want to play, Lily?” Lily frowned and turned away. Jack tried again, but this time, she let out a loud whine and kicked her feet. Mom looked over. “What’s wrong, Lily?” Lily didn’t answer. She scrunched up her face, wiggled in her spot and dropped her bunny on the floor. A second later, she let out a frustrated cry. Mom picked her up and bounced her gently. “Shh, you’re okay.” Lily squirmed in Mom’s arms, twisting back and forth, but then rested her head on Mom’s shoulder. Her fingers curled around Mom’s shirt, and she let out another whimper. Jack watched as Lily’s eyes drooped halfway shut—just for a second— before she snapped them open again with a tiny cry. Jack shook his head. “She doesn’t know what she wants.” Mom smiled. “She’s had a busy morning.” Lily let out another fussy cry and kicked her feet again. Lily is acting this way because?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer how Matt is feeling. Matt sat on the edge of the stage, twisting his shirt in his hands. Kids in the audition room whispered and giggled, but he barely heard them. He had practiced his lines so many times in the mirror. He knew every word. Now though, as the director called his name, his legs felt shaky. Matt took a deep breath and stood up. The walk to the center of the stage felt really long. Bright lights shone in his face. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His hands felt sweaty. He heard a few kids laugh softly in the back of the room. His heart pounded. He squeezed his fists and thought about all the times he had practiced. He lifted his chin, took a big breath and tried again. Based on the story, Matt is feeling? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer how Matt is feeling. Matt sat on the edge of the stage, twisting his shirt in his hands. Kids in the audition room whispered and giggled, but he barely heard them. He had practiced his lines so many times in the mirror. He knew every word. Now though, as the director called his name, his legs felt shaky. Matt took a deep breath and stood up. The walk to the center of the stage felt really long. Bright lights shone in his face. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His hands felt sweaty. He heard a few kids laugh softly in the back of the room. His heart pounded. He squeezed his fists and thought about all the times he had practiced. He lifted his chin, took a big breath and tried again. Based on the story, Matt is feeling?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what is happening at Maya’s house. Story: Maya sat on her bedroom floor, pulling posters off the wall. The tape stuck to her fingers as she peeled each one off and set it in a pile. Outside her door, she heard her parents talking. “It’s a good opportunity,” Dad said. “Plus, the house has plenty of space.” Her little brother, Noah, ran past her room, rolling his toy cars along the wall. “Do we really have to go?” he asked. Maya sighed and looked around. Her bookshelf was already half-empty. Last night, Mom had given her a cardboard box. “It’s time to start packing everything up,” she had said. Maya picked up her favorite snow globe and turned it in her hands. She gave it a gentle shake, watching the tiny flakes swirl inside. It had always sat on her nightstand, right next to her bed. She swallowed hard. Soon, this room wouldn’t be hers anymore. Based on the story, Maya’s family is? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what is happening at Maya’s house. Story: Maya sat on her bedroom floor, pulling posters off the wall. The tape stuck to her fingers as she peeled each one off and set it in a pile. Outside her door, she heard her parents talking. “It’s a good opportunity,” Dad said. “Plus, the house has plenty of space.” Her little brother, Noah, ran past her room, rolling his toy cars along the wall. “Do we really have to go?” he asked. Maya sighed and looked around. Her bookshelf was already half-empty. Last night, Mom had given her a cardboard box. “It’s time to start packing everything up,” she had said. Maya picked up her favorite snow globe and turned it in her hands. She gave it a gentle shake, watching the tiny flakes swirl inside. It had always sat on her nightstand, right next to her bed. She swallowed hard. Soon, this room wouldn’t be hers anymore. Based on the story, Maya’s family is?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what Ella is about to do. Story: Ella held her mom’s hand as they walked toward the wide platform. A long line of people stood ahead of them, some carrying rolling suitcases and others holding backpacks. A voice crackled over the loudspeaker. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see past the crowd. A few feet away, a metal railing separated the waiting area from the tracks. A loud whoosh filled the air, and a gust of wind blew Ella’s hair back. “That’s not ours yet,” Dad said. “Ours will be here soon.” Ella loved watching the big doors slide open, and her favorite place to sit was by a window. In the distance, she saw another long grey shape come closer, its horn blaring to keep people off the track. Based on the story, what is Ella about to do? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what Ella is about to do. Story: Ella held her mom’s hand as they walked toward the wide platform. A long line of people stood ahead of them, some carrying rolling suitcases and others holding backpacks. A voice crackled over the loudspeaker. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see past the crowd. A few feet away, a metal railing separated the waiting area from the tracks. A loud whoosh filled the air, and a gust of wind blew Ella’s hair back. “That’s not ours yet,” Dad said. “Ours will be here soon.” Ella loved watching the big doors slide open, and her favorite place to sit was by a window. In the distance, she saw another long grey shape come closer, its horn blaring to keep people off the track. Based on the story, what is Ella about to do?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what is happening at Kara’s house. Story: Kara walked inside her house on Friday. She wanted to do her homework tonight so she didn’t have to do any on her birthday tomorrow. “I’m home!” she called. The house seemed quieter than usual. She started toward the kitchen, but quick footsteps made her stop. Her little brother, Brian, darted out and blocked the doorway. “Uh… You can’t go in there,” he said. Kara sniffed the air. Something smelled sweet—like cake. She turned and spotted a few balloons poking from the closet. All of a sudden, she could hear people whispering, and then someone saying “Shhh!” Based on the story, what is Kara going to do? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer what is happening at Kara’s house. Story: Kara walked inside her house on Friday. She wanted to do her homework tonight so she didn’t have to do any on her birthday tomorrow. “I’m home!” she called. The house seemed quieter than usual. She started toward the kitchen, but quick footsteps made her stop. Her little brother, Brian, darted out and blocked the doorway. “Uh… You can’t go in there,” he said. Kara sniffed the air. Something smelled sweet—like cake. She turned and spotted a few balloons poking from the closet. All of a sudden, she could hear people whispering, and then someone saying “Shhh!” Based on the story, what is Kara going to do?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer how Lena is feeling. Lena ran into the house and slammed the door. She dropped her backpack on the floor and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Her little brother looked up from the couch. “What’s wrong?” he asked. Lena didn’t answer. She just shook her head and hurried to her room. She closed the door and climbed into bed. A few minutes later, her mom knocked softly. “Lena?” she asked. “Do you want to talk?” Lena pulled her blanket over her head. “No,” she whispered. She closed her eyes and pictured what happened at recess. Kids were laughing and whispering when she walked by. She had tried to ignore them, but it was hard to. She wished she could forget about it. Maybe tomorrow will be better. For right now, though, she just wanted to be alone. Lena is feeling? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer how Lena is feeling. Lena ran into the house and slammed the door. She dropped her backpack on the floor and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Her little brother looked up from the couch. “What’s wrong?” he asked. Lena didn’t answer. She just shook her head and hurried to her room. She closed the door and climbed into bed. A few minutes later, her mom knocked softly. “Lena?” she asked. “Do you want to talk?” Lena pulled her blanket over her head. “No,” she whispered. She closed her eyes and pictured what happened at recess. Kids were laughing and whispering when she walked by. She had tried to ignore them, but it was hard to. She wished she could forget about it. Maybe tomorrow will be better. For right now, though, she just wanted to be alone. Lena is feeling?

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer why Ollie the Squirrel is working so hard. Ollie the Squirrel raced across the park, his tiny paws gripping an acorn. He darted up a tall oak tree and stuffed the acorn into a hole in the trunk. Then he scrambled back down, his nose twitching as he searched for more. The air felt crisp, and the wind rustled the golden leaves around him. Some had already fallen to the ground, covering the grass in red, orange and yellow. Ollie found another acorn and held it tight. He spotted a few more near a big rock. He had to work fast. There weren’t as many acorns as before, and soon they’d be even harder to find. Nearby, a group of birds huddled on a branch, fluffing their feathers. A cool breeze made them ruffle even more. Ollie’s belly rumbled, but he didn’t stop to eat. He buried another acorn under a pile of leaves and scurried away to find more. The days were getting shorter. He could feel it. Soon, the park would be quiet, and food wouldn’t be as easy to find. For now, he had work to do. Ollie is working so hard because? What are some context clues that help you answer the question? (Select all that apply)

Read the story and underline clues to help you infer why Ollie the Squirrel is working so hard. Ollie the Squirrel raced across the park, his tiny paws gripping an acorn. He darted up a tall oak tree and stuffed the acorn into a hole in the trunk. Then he scrambled back down, his nose twitching as he searched for more. The air felt crisp, and the wind rustled the golden leaves around him. Some had already fallen to the ground, covering the grass in red, orange and yellow. Ollie found another acorn and held it tight. He spotted a few more near a big rock. He had to work fast. There weren’t as many acorns as before, and soon they’d be even harder to find. Nearby, a group of birds huddled on a branch, fluffing their feathers. A cool breeze made them ruffle even more. Ollie’s belly rumbled, but he didn’t stop to eat. He buried another acorn under a pile of leaves and scurried away to find more. The days were getting shorter. He could feel it. Soon, the park would be quiet, and food wouldn’t be as easy to find. For now, he had work to do. Ollie is working so hard because?