Inferencing
The Forgotten Lunch
Samantha opened her locker and sighed. She looked down at her empty backpack and then glanced at the clock—lunch was starting in five minutes. She checked her pockets and only found a crumpled tissue and two pennies. Her best friend, Maya, had already gone to the cafeteria. Samantha slowly walked toward the lunchroom, avoiding eye contact.
Questions:
Why might Samantha be feeling upset or anxious?
What do you think she will do next?
she forgot her lunch
not eat, ask friends for some of their lunch, tell the lunch ladies
Words: tired, homework, movie
Conjunction: although
Although I was tired, I stayed up to finish my homework and watch a movie.
Video games vs playing sports
2 ways they are the same
2 ways they are different
Similarities:
Both can be competitive and require practice to improve.
Both can be played alone or with friends.
Differences:
Sports require physical movement; video games don’t.
Sports are usually played outside or in a gym; video games are played indoors on a screen.
The Broken Remote
Jamal sat frozen on the couch with the TV blaring in the background. His younger brother stood beside the coffee table, holding the remote with wide eyes. A sharp crack had echoed through the room just a moment earlier. Their dad’s footsteps could be heard coming down the hallway. Jamal gave his brother a look, and the remote quietly disappeared under the couch.
Questions:
What happened to the remote, and why did Jamal’s brother hide it?
What does Jamal’s reaction suggest about their relationship?
What happened to the remote, and why did Jamal’s brother hide it?
➡ The remote was probably broken (the crack sound), and Jamal’s brother is trying to hide it to avoid getting in trouble.
Q2: What does Jamal’s reaction suggest about their relationship?
➡ Jamal might be protective or used to covering for his younger brother, suggesting they are close or he feels responsible.
Words: coat, cold, walk
Conjunction: unless
I won’t go for a walk unless I wear my coat because it’s so cold.
Texting vs phone call
Similarities:
Both are ways to communicate and stay connected.
Both can be used to share feelings, news, or make plans.
Differences:
Texting doesn’t show facial expressions or tone of voice; face-to-face talking does.
Texting can be done any time; face-to-face requires both people to be in the same place.
The Bus Ride
Carlos boarded the bus and scanned the seats. He spotted his usual seat in the back but noticed three kids already sitting nearby, laughing. As he approached, they suddenly grew quiet and shifted their gaze to the window. Carlos paused, then turned and chose a seat closer to the front. He kept his eyes on his backpack the whole ride.
The Bus Ride
Q1: Why do you think Carlos chose not to sit in his usual spot?
➡ He may have felt uncomfortable or unwelcome because the kids in the back gave him a bad vibe by stopping their laughter and avoiding eye contact.
Q2: What might be going on between Carlos and the kids in the back?
➡ There might be bullying, exclusion, or past tension that makes Carlos feel unsafe or unwanted.
Words: study, pass, test
Conjunction: otherwise
You need to study for the test, otherwise you might not pass.
Summer break vs winter break
Similarities:
Both are school breaks where students get time off.
Both can be used for relaxing, traveling, or spending time with family.
Differences:
Summer break is much longer; winter break is shorter.
Summer is hot and often involves swimming and outdoor activities, while winter is cold and may involve holidays and snow (depending on location).
The Class Presentation
Emma stood at the front of the class gripping her notecards. Her face was red, and her voice shook as she started to speak. A few students in the back whispered and giggled. When she finished, the room clapped politely, and she hurried back to her seat, eyes fixed on the floor. Her teacher gave her a small thumbs-up.
Questions:
How do you think Emma felt during her presentation?
What clues helped you figure out how she was feeling?
Q1: How do you think Emma felt during her presentation?
➡ Nervous, embarrassed, or self-conscious. The shaking voice and red face suggest anxiety.
Q2: What clues helped you figure out how she was feeling?
➡ Physical signs (red face, shaking), student reactions (whispers/giggles), and her quick exit show she was uncomfortable.
Words: wait, friend, arrive
Conjunction: until
I’ll wait at the front of the school until my friend arrives.
online shopping vs in store shopping
Similarities:
Both are ways to buy clothes, shoes, or gifts.
Both can offer sales, deals, and returns.
Differences:
Online shopping is done from home; in-store shopping requires travel.
You can try things on in-store, but not online—you have to wait to see if it fits.
he Surprise Visit
Marcus walked into his room and stopped in his tracks. His video game was on, but he was sure he’d turned it off before school. A half-eaten sandwich was on his desk, and the chair was slightly pulled out. From down the hall, he heard his older brother laughing. Marcus raised an eyebrow and picked up the game controller.
Questions:
What can you infer about what happened while Marcus was gone?
What does Marcus’s reaction tell you about his relationship with his brother?
Q1: What can you infer about what happened while Marcus was gone?
➡ His brother was likely in his room playing video games and eating without asking, possibly messing with his stuff.
Q2: What does Marcus’s reaction tell you about his relationship with his brother?
➡ He may be used to this kind of behavior and not super angry—just mildly annoyed or suspicious.
Words: practice, nervous, game
Conjunction: although
Although I was nervous, I practiced hard for the game.
youtube vs tiktok
Similarities:
Both are apps where users can watch and post videos.
Both allow likes, comments, and sharing with friends.
Differences:
TikTok mainly focuses on short videos, while YouTube has short and long videos.
YouTube is often used for tutorials and educational content, while TikTok is more for trends and quick entertainment.