Character Inferences

What is an inference?

• logical guess based on evidence and prior knowledge

• logical guess based on just prior knowledge

• always choose letter "c" in a multiple choice quiz

• answering a question

Which clues about characters could help with making inferences about characters?

• discussion about the character

• character's inner thoughts

• character's thoughts about others

• speech, actions, thoughts, appearance

Olivia froze. There was a large dog a few feet in front of her on the sidewalk. The dog wagged its tail as its handler talked to an elderly man, but still Olivia's heart pounded in her chest. Olivia couldn't bring herself to walk near the dog. She crossed the street and continued on her way.

What do Olivia's actions indicate?

• The dog behaved threateningly toward Olivia.

• Olivia does not get along with the dog's handler.

• Olivia is afraid of dogs.

• Olivia needs to go someplace that's on the other side of the street.

It was after midnight, and Alex was just starting to study for his chemistry test. He had put it off until the last minute, of course, and now he was paying the price. With debate club, soccer, his part-time job at the restaurant, and homework from all his other classes, it was hard to keep up with everything.

Maybe he should quit his job . . . or quit the debate team. He wasn't enjoying debate as much as he used to. However, Alex knew his dad was proud of his achievements in debate, and Alex didn't want to disappoint him. But what about homework? Well, he'd love to have less homework, but he couldn't exactly tell his teachers that. He thought for a minute about quitting soccer, but then he stopped. He couldn't imagine life without soccer.

Alex sighed. All he knew was that if he failed his chemistry test, his parents would make the decision for him—a decision he wouldn't like, so he was willing to stay up all night, if necessary.

Based on what you read in this passage, you can infer that Alex is afraid his parents will make him—

• quit his job

• quit the debate team

• do less homework

• quit the soccer team

Mandy enjoyed biking, but she had only ridden on paved bike trails. One day, her friend Brad asked if she wanted to go off-road biking. Brad was fun to be around, so even though she was afraid, she quickly agreed to go. Then, the night before their bike trip, she called Brad. "Brad? It's Mandy. Look, I don't think I can make it tomorrow."

"Why not?" Brad asked. "Are you sick?"

"Not really," Mandy replied. She couldn't bring herself to tell him she was afraid she would have a horrible wreck, and Brad would never again want to hang out with someone so clumsy.

"My sister's agreed to let you borrow her mountain bike, so you don't have to worry about your bike not being able to handle the terrain," Brad said.

Although she didn't say it, Mandy was thinking, It's not the bike I'm worried about.

Read this passage. What is Mandy's motivation for agreeing to join Brad?

• She is eager to try a new activity.

• She wants to get over her fear of riding off-road.

• She wants to spend time with Brad.

• She is looking forward to being in the forest.

Julia called her friend Teresa on the phone. "Teresa, can you bring over my camera tonight? I want to have it for my trip to the beach tomorrow."

"Oh, um . . . didn't I already return it?" Teresa said.

"No, not yet."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." What was wrong with Teresa? Julia had been asking for the camera for a week now, and Teresa kept forgetting to bring it. "Just bring it over tonight, okay?"

"Sure, of course," Teresa said. "I'll, uh, I'll leave it on your front porch."

"Why don't you just come in—" Teresa had hung up. She was acting so weird.

Before going to sleep that night, Julia checked the porch. There was the camera, just like Teresa promised. Julia took it upstairs and plugged it in so it would be fully charged for the trip.

The next morning after arriving at the beach, Julia took out her camera. She was eager to snap some shots in the morning light. She turned on the camera, but nothing happened. Julia turned it off, then turned it on again. Still nothing. The camera wasn't working.

Based on the information in this passage, what inference can you make?

• The camera was broken when Julia loaned it to Teresa.

• Teresa kept the camera because she wanted to go to the beach.

• Teresa broke the camera and did not want Julia to find out.

• The camera was in working order when Teresa gave it back to Julia.

Ann finished her driving test and headed for the parking lot. She couldn't help grinning as she walked up to her father.

"I guess things went well this time?" he asked.

"Yes!" Ann jumped up and down, holding up her temporary driver's license. "I'm so happy!"

"You should be," her father said. "But I knew you could do it."

"I think it's the lucky socks that did the trick." She looked down at the bright green socks peeking out between the tops of her sneakers and her jeans.

Her father squeezed her shoulder. "I don't know. I think all those hours of practice helped more." Then, he climbed in on the passenger side of the car and smiled at Ann as she sat down behind the wheel.

Read this passage. What do the actions and words of Ann's father reveal about him?

• He is proud that Ann's hard work resulted in a driver's license.

• He is surprised that Ann did well on her exam.

• He believes the green socks helped Ann get her license.

• He thinks Ann is overemphasizing her success.

Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped on the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice in on his belly and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside of a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down and relocated garbage from other parts of the can, arranging over the soup can. He then plopped down on the couch and picked up his controller.

Why is Kyle distraught?

• He was playing hide and seek with his report card.

• His report card was most likely not good.

• Kyle wanted his mom to dig through the trash to find his report card.

• Kyle was busy playing video games.

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 bag and ran out the door.

What problem is Cassie having?

• She isn't happy.

• She is late for school.

• She is late for work.

• She needs to go back to bed.