Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Lucia snatched up the dirty clothes that were strewn across the floor and haphazardly tossed them into the laundry basket her mother had placed outside the door. Then, she organized her desk, cramming markers, glue sticks, and other tools of the learning trade wherever they would fit inside the drawers. She jammed trash into the wastebasket until not one more piece could fit and pulled the bag out to take downstairs. Finally, she made her bed and summoned for her mother to come do her white-glove inspection.

What can the reader infer about Lucia based on her actions in the selection?

• She does not share her mother’s idea of what a clean room looks like.

• She is a hard-working student who strives to do her best.

• She likes being neat and organized.

• She is usually running late, which causes her to leave a mess behind.

Lucia snatched up the dirty clothes that were strewn across the floor and haphazardly tossed them into the laundry basket her mother had placed outside the door. Then, she organized her desk, cramming markers, glue sticks, and other tools of the learning trade wherever they would fit inside the drawers. She jammed trash into the wastebasket until not one more piece could fit and pulled the bag out to take downstairs. Finally, she made her bed and summoned for her mother to come do her white-glove inspection.

Read this sentence from the story.

Finally, she made her bed and summoned for her mother to come do her white-glove inspection.

Based on this sentence, the reader can conclude that Lucia’s mother —

• is concerned about the bed being made correctly

• wears gloves to protect her hands while she cleans

• has high standards for cleanliness

• insists that Lucia make her bed every day

Jose desperately wanted to finish his homework before he arrived home. His gaming system had patiently waited the entire day for his return. He couldn’t disappoint it. Just thinking about the fun they would have together was distracting enough, but the noise generated by the other kids talking and laughing around him made it nearly impossible to concentrate. With the decibel level of the engine and the squeaking of the brakes at every stop added in, there was no way he could finish his homework here. Jose conceded that he would indeed have to let his faithful companion down.

Jose’s thoughts in this paragraph help the reader understand that he —

• does not get along well with other children

• is a responsible boy who is committed to his priorities

• cares less about his studies than he does playing video games

• is easily irritated when things do not go as he has planned

Jose desperately wanted to finish his homework before he arrived home. His gaming system had patiently waited the entire day for his return. He couldn’t disappoint it. Just thinking about the fun they would have together was distracting enough, but the noise generated by the other kids talking and laughing around him made it nearly impossible to concentrate. With the decibel level of the engine and the squeaking of the brakes at every stop added in, there was no way he could finish his homework here. Jose conceded that he would indeed have to let his faithful companion down.

Based on Jose’s description of his surroundings, the reader can conclude that he is —

• in office hours with his homeroom teacher

• traveling home from a trip with parents

• in the cafeteria at school

• riding home on a school bus

Cami was just beginning to understand why her best friend, Julia, loved riding horses so much. When Julia had first asked her to join her for a Saturday ride through the canyon, Cami was hesitant. She had never been on a horse before, and they were such large, powerful creatures. An hour into the ride, she was having a blast. Smokey, the painted stallion she was riding, was so passive and minded her every command with ease. That was until without warning he reared up on its hind legs, pawed at the air and neighed loudly. Cami tightened her legs around Smokey’s body and pulled back firmly on the reins.

Why was Cami most likely hesitant to go horseback riding with her friend?

• She was worried that she would laugh at her lack of equestrian skills.

• She already had plans for Saturday afternoon.

• She did not want to look foolish next to Julia who was an experienced rider.

• She feared that the horses might harm her.

Cami was just beginning to understand why her best friend, Julia, loved riding horses so much. When Julia had first asked her to join her for a Saturday ride through the canyon, Cami was hesitant. She had never been on a horse before, and they were such large, powerful creatures. An hour into the ride, she was having a blast. Smokey, the painted stallion she was riding, was so passive and minded her every command with ease. That was until without warning he reared up on its hind legs, pawed at the air and neighed loudly. Cami tightened her legs around Smokey’s body and pulled back firmly on the reins.

Based on the horse’s actions at the end of the paragraph, the reader can conclude that —

• Cami will be thrown from the horse and suffer an injury

• the stallion was spooked by something on the trail

• Cami will get control of the horse and continue the ride

• Smokey has a playful side to him

As his mother laid on the horn from outside, Tom ran down the stairs, grabbed his backpack from the kitchen, and quickly snatched a Pop Tart from the open box on the counter. As he hurried out the front door, he reminded himself that he would be 16 in just one month. Then, he would never have to depend on anyone else for a ride to school.

The author most likely included Tom’s thoughts to show that —

• his mother insists that he be to school before the tardy bell

• he knows that it is important to be on time

• his mother is an impatient person

• he is frustrated with his situation

Breathing heavily, Lulu plopped down on the front porch step. She wiped the sweat from her face and drained the entire bottle of water in one gulp.

Lulu’s actions in the sentence help the reader understand that —

• she lives in Houston

• it is a hot and muggy day

• she just arrived home from school

• a dog was chasing her

As she stood in the line with her mother, Sanjy heard the people around her talking. They were claiming that this was the most important election in the past 50 years. She didn’t quite understand why, but she knew it must be true. Her mother had brought her along to “witness history in the making” and had said they would wait in the line all night long if they had to. She had even brought a bag of snacks and a blanket, just in case Sanjy got hungry and tired. The little girl stretched her neck from side to side to look at the line in front of and behind them. The line of voters seemed to be growing by the second, and no one appeared to mind the long wait. It looked like they really would be spending the night with strangers.

Read this sentence from the story.

Her mother had brought her along to “witness history in the making” and had said they would wait in the line all night long if they had to.

What can the reader infer about Lucia’s mother based on this sentence?

• She thinks that history is he most important subject in school.

• She believes that it is important to expose Sanjy to life-changing events.

• She is a stubborn woman.

• She doesn’t like being alone in a crowd.

As she stood in the line with her mother, Sanjy heard the people around her talking. They were claiming that this was the most important election in the past 50 years. She didn’t quite understand why, but she knew it must be true. Her mother had brought her along to “witness history in the making” and had said they would wait in the line all night long if they had to. She had even brought a bag of snacks and a blanket, just in case Sanjy got hungry and tired. The little girl stretched her neck from side to side to look at the line in front of and behind them. The line of voters seemed to be growing by the second, and no one appeared to mind the long wait. It looked like they really would be spending the night with strangers.

Read this sentence from the story.

The line of voters seemed to be growing by the second, and no one appeared to mind the long wait.

Why does the author include this description of the line?

• To show that the voters were determined to cast their vote no matter what.

• To explain why Sanjy and her mother would be waiting in line all night.

• To suggest that there as going to be a riot.

• To explain why Sanjy’s mother had brought snacks and a blanket.