Making Inferences

What is an Inference?

• A conclusion or judgement based on evidences and our background knowledge.

• Is what the story is about.

• In when you find the similarity between two or more things.

• Is when you compare two or more things using the words like or as.

Colin sat in the empty classroom and stared at the floor. It was 4:30 pm and school had been over for half an hour, but he still had to sit there. He could over hear his teacher talking to the principal in the hallway about what had happened during class. He put his head in his hands and sighed.

What may the reader best infer from the passage?

• The principal and the teacher are making fun of Colin.

• Colin is in detention because he had acted out in class.

• The teacher is getting paid extra to oversee detention.

• Colin is proud of his poor behavior.

His mother understood then how Dwayne felt just by looking at him. She saw that he wanted to stay in the house forever because of all the memories he had at this old place. They still had to leave, but she wanted to help her son feel better about what was going to happen in a few days.

The author assumes the reader most likely knows-

• Dwayne is too sentimental and needs to get over it.

• Dwayne and his mom are moving.

• Dwayne's mom is making her son upset on purpose.

• Dwayne and his mom are going on vacation.

As Samuel walked down the street, he noticed that most people were carrying close umbrellas. Although he had not seen a weather report, what could Samuel infer?

• that it was going to rain later that day

• that there was a sale on umbrellas at a local store

• that he was late for work

When he got home, Peter took off his muddy boots and left them on the front steps; he would clean them off later. He went directly into the bathroom and took off his dirty overalls, changing into clean jeans and a shirt. He'd spent a long day in the fields. What is mostly likely Peter's job?

• a lawyer

• a bus driver

• a farmer

• a construction worker

A mother is pushing a cart through the grocery store. A little girl, around 3, is sitting in the cart. The girl reaches for a brightly colored box, and the mother gently takes it away from her. The girl begins to cry. What can you infer about this situation?

• The little girl is frustrated and wanted to keep the box
• The mother accidentally hurt the girl when she took away the box. 
• The box was laundry detergent.
• The box was crayons

A little boy is sitting with his mother in the doctor's office, listlessly leaning against her. When she gives him a cup to sip some water, he slowly pushes it away. After a while, he begins to whimper and puts a hand to his neck. What can you infer is wrong with the little boy?

• The boy is tired.
• The boy has hurt his hand
• The boy does not like water.
• The boy has a sore throat. 

Every morning, Mr. Anthony gets up early and puts on his uniform.  He makes sure his badge is on straight. He walks out to his driveway where his car, with the large lights on its roof, is waiting. He gets into his car and drives to the station. From this passage you can infer that Mr. Anthony is:

• a teacher
• a bus driver
• a fireman
• a police officer 

Tanelia climbed the two steps and walked onto the narrow board. She looked down into the pool. It seemed so far away now that she was on the board. She saw her parents and brother watching her. She gently bounced on her feet a couple of times and put her hands over her head. What can you infer will happen next?

• Tanelia will begin to cry

• Tanelia will dive into the pool

• Tanelia will head down the ski slope

• Tanelia will climb back down.

Colin had soccer practice and then swimming lessons. It was late when he got home so he went straight to bed without studying for his math test the next day. You can tell that......

• Colin will get a good grade.

• Colin will ace the test.

• Colin will probably fail his math test.

• Colin will study during the test.