Making Inferences

When you use background knowledge to make a conclusion. This is a(n)?

• Data

• Observation

• Inference

• Procedure

The grass outside is wet. All of the following are inferences except...

• The grass is green

• A sprinkler was on

• Someone was watering the grass

• It rained outside

When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are ____________.

• infering

• predicting

• observing

• claiming

How are the skills of inferring and predicting alike? How are they different?

• Both involve making observations, but predictions are about what will happen and inferences are about what has happened.

• Only inferring involves making observations, but predictions are about what will happen and inferences are about what has happened.

• Only predicting involves making observations, but observations are about what will happen and inferences are about what has happened.

• There is nothing similar or different about the two. That is what makes them unique.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Choose 2 inferences about this picture.

• Today is the dog's birthday.

• There is a candle on the cake.

• The dog has a tag on the collar.

• The dog will eat the cake.

When you observe a plant growing towards a light source, what inference can you make about the plant's behavior?

• The plant is attracted to light.

• The plant dislikes darkness.

• The plant is moving randomly.

• The plant is avoiding heat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A scientist notices that a certain type of bacteria grows faster in warmer temperatures. What inference can be made from this observation?

• Bacteria prefer cold environments.

• Temperature has no effect on bacteria growth.

• Warmer temperatures may enhance bacterial growth.

• Bacteria grow slower in warm temperatures.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

If a chemical reaction produces a gas, what inference can you make about the reaction?

• The reaction is endothermic.

• The reaction involves a solid.

• The reaction is producing a new substance.

• The reaction is reversible.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

When a metal is heated, it expands. What inference can be made about the particles in the metal?

• The particles move closer together.

• The particles move faster and spread apart.

• The particles stop moving.

• The particles become smaller.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A student observes that sugar dissolves faster in hot water than in cold water. What inference can be made from this observation?

• Temperature does not affect dissolving rate.

• Sugar dissolves faster in cold water.

• Heat increases the dissolving rate of sugar.

• Sugar does not dissolve in hot water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5