Inference 101
Jake and Tim sat quietly next to each other by the lake. Suddenly, the pole Jake was holding loosely in his hands jerked so hard, he nearly dropped it. "You got one!" exclaimed Time excitedly. "Reel him in slowly."
What did Jake have? How do you know?
Jake had a fish.
Clues: You use a pole to fish; a fish jerks on a pole when you catch one; reel it in.
Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day and, usually, not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live.
The main idea of this passage is:
a. Giraffes don’t sleep very much.
b. Giraffes are unique animals.
c. There are many animals in the world.
d. No animal is taller than a giraffe.
b. Giraffes are unique animals.
Bob went to see a football game with his dad. They had been looking forward to this game for months. Their favorite team was playing. Their team ended up losing. Bob was so upset.
Which quote from the text explains why Bob was upset?
Their team ended up losing.
Kody packed his swim trunks, snorkels, and sand bucket. Mom packed the sunscreen, and towels. They couldn't wait to get to their sunny destination and relax.
Where are they going? How do you know?
The Beach
Clues: Swim trunks; snorkels; Sand bucket; Sunscreen; Towels
Inside the volcano, there are hot liquid rocks called magma. It becomes lava when it comes out of the volcano. The lava that flows out of some volcanoes can reach up to 1100 degrees. It’s hot enough to burn you and in some cases, it can kill you. Other than lava, gases coming out of the volcano are poisonous to us.
What is the main idea?
a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.
b. Lava is hot.
c. Gases emitted from volcanoes are poisonous.
b. Lava is hot.
My hands felt shaky and I took a deep breath. I knew I had to give a speech in front of the whole school.
What explicit evidence from the text tells you how the speaker feels?
My hands felt shaky and I took a deep breath.
It was her 16th birthday and she was so excited! She ran out the front door and saw the huge ribbon tied around her present. It was so awesome! It even had a sunroof just like she wanted.
What did the girl get for her birthday? How do you know?
A car.
Clues: 16th birthday; Ran out the door; Huge ribbon tied around it; Sunroof
My dog is called Buttons and he learns new tricks really quickly. When I say “Hands”, he will give me one of his front paws. He can even walk on two legs when I tell him to. It only took me three days to teach him these tricks. I don’t think other dogs can learn as quickly as Buttons. He is the best.
What is the main idea?
a. Buttons is not clever.
b. Buttons is a smart dog.
c. I wish I could be a good dog trainer.
b. Buttons is a smart dog.
Jane knew she had to make this. She had to make a 3-pointer to be 1 point ahead of the other team. The whole game depended on her. She dribbled the ball and threw it. She closed her eyes and hoped she made it! Swish! The crowd goes wild!
What game is Jane playing?
Are the scores close?
How do you know?
Basketball
Yes
Clues: make this shot; whole game depended on her; dribbled the ball
I have a dog whose name is Paco. He is almost 10 years old. Paco is very loveable with a brown face and short black fur. He is one of my best friends. He plays with me, sleeps with me, and goes on walks with me. I am so glad to have him around. I love him. The main idea of this passage is:
A. The dog’s name is Paco.
B. Everyone should have a dog.
C. The speaker's dog is important to them.
D. The dog is cute and sweet.
C. The speaker's dog is important to them.
The girl walked down the street with her head hanging down she had just lost her first soccer game.
What detail from the text can tell you how the girl was feeling?
"her head hanging down"
Dad tapped his fingers on the table. His stomach growled as he looked at his watch. Mom fiddled with her straw and watched the food at the other table. The kids were fighting and whining. There was a loud, crashing noise and suddenly the waiter appeared and said, "I'm so sorry!"
Where are they? What happened? How do you know?
At a restaurant. The waiter dropped their food.
Clues: Dad's stomach growled; Mom watched food at other table; Loud crashing noise; Waiter apologized.
Chances are very good that you’ve watched a video on YouTube®. It is one of the most popular websites in the world and is the default site to go to when someone wants to share a video. YouTube was founded in 2005 by three men who worked for a different web company. The very first video showed one of the founders at the zoo. YouTube grew quickly throughout the following year and was purchased by Google® for $1.65 billion in stock in 2006. Since then, YouTube has continued to grow. Now, many people create their own unique content for YouTube. People can actually become quite famous on YouTube and some can even make a career out of it. The impact that YouTube has had on the world is remarkable considering that it was only established in 2005.
What is the central idea of this passage?
a. YouTube is a very popular website.
b. YouTube was founded in 2005 and has created jobs for some.
c. YouTube was founded in 2005 and has grown significantly since.
c. YouTube was founded in 2005 and has grown significantly since.
Sally took a really hard math test last week. Today, she got her grade back. Sally's shoulders slumped and her eyes filled with tears when she saw the bad grade on her test.
Which text evidence would support that Sally felt upset?
Sally's shoulders slumped and her eyes filled with tears when she saw the bad grade on her test.
When they entered the gate, the woman gave them a wristband. They looked around at all the rides and shops and couldn't decide which one to go to first. Their mom yelled, "Look, there's Mickey!" They saw his mouse ears from a mile away.
Where are they? How do you know?
Disney World or Disneyland
Clues: Wristband, Rides and shops; Mickey; Mouse ears
I always have trouble flying a kite. For a kite to fly, the weather needs to be good and windy. If there is no wind, the kite will never fly. You need to find a spacious place to fly your kite. It is dangerous to fly your kite near roads, power lines or an airport.
What is the main idea?
a. Flying kites is difficult.
b. Kites can break easily.
c. It is dangerous to fly a kite.
a. Flying kites is difficult.
As the boys sat outside the principal's office, with torn shirts and bruised faces, they knew they were in trouble. The security guard sat between the boys to keep them apart. What they did was strictly against the rules. When their parents find out, they'll be in even more trouble.
Why were the boys sent to the office? How do you know?
The boys were fighting.
Clues: torn shirts and bruised faces; security guard had to keep them apart; they broke the rules.
I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
What is the writer enjoys spending time with family.
John was a NASCAR driver and he had just won his first race. He climbed out of the window of his car and threw his fist up into the air. John was so overjoyed he began to grin from ear to ear. He would never forget the moment he won his very first race.
What explicit evidence from the text tells you how John feels?
John was so overjoyed he began to grin from ear to ear
Julie and her mom were at the department store. Julie really wanted new lipstick but her mother said she couldn't get any today. Julie's mom went to the clothing section while Julie stayed by the makeup. When it was time for them to leave, Julie was nervous. She was clutching her purse tightly hoping not to set off the alarms.
Why was Julie nervous? How do you know?
Julie stole the lipstick.
Clues: Julie was nervous; Clutching her purse tightly; Hoped she didn't set off alarms.
Pizza is served in many school cafeterias in the United States on a daily basis, but it is actually still relatively new to the country. Pizza first arrived in the United States with Italian immigrants during the late 1800s. It was popular in cities that had a large concentration of citizens that had Italian roots. It remained relatively unpopular nationally for several decades until the end of World War II. Many American soldiers who had been stationed in Italy during the war enjoyed eating pizza regularly there and when they returned to the United States, they wanted to continue to have access to it. Pizza then enjoyed a boost in popularity and soon went from being a food primarily consumed by Italian immigrants to one of the most popular foods in the country
What is the central idea of the passage?
a. Pizza came to the United States in the late 1800s and wasn't very popular.
b. Pizza was only popular among Italian immigrants.
c. Pizza was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s and became popular after WWII.
c. Pizza was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s and became popular after WWII.
Joey put his hands on his ears as he tried to finish his math test. The girl sitting next to him kept tapping her pencil on the table.
Which details support Joey being annoyed with the girl next to him?
"hands on his ears" and "tapping her pencil"
Elizabeth was so proud of her garden. She planted the seeds early in the spring and watered the plants every morning. Last Friday, Elizabeth's mom called and asked her to come over for the week because she was feeling sick. When Elizabeth came back home, her plants were bent and drooping.
Why were the plants drooping? How do you know?
She had not watered them for a week.
Clues: Elizabeth watered plants every morning; She went to her mom's house for a week and couldn't water them.
I can't wait until this weekend! We’re going to my grandparents’ house and my entire family will be there. I will spend most of my time playing games with my cousins. We always have such a good time together! The day goes by so fast, and by the end we are all exhausted... but we still don’t want to leave!
The main idea of this passage is:
A. Weekends are times to travel.
B. The speaker enjoys spending time with family.
C. The speaker's grandparents live far away.
D. The speaker is sad to leave her cousins.
B. The speaker enjoys spending time with family.
Lauren worried as she handed her mom the paper from the school. She carefully watched her mom looking over the numbers on the paper. Lauren was relieved when she saw a smile spread across her mom's face. Mom said, "let's go get ice cream to celebrate!"
What paper was Lauren's mom looking at?
How do you know?
Report Card
Clues: Lauren was worried; mom smiled as she looked at it; Lauren was relieved; Let's go get ice cream to celebrate.
Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success.
The Wright Brothers were inventors who inspired many people.
Kate stared at the giant parking lot. She couldn't remember where she parked her car. This happened every time she went to the mall. "Where could it be?" she said, "I thought it would be right here." She sat down on the ground and began to frown.
What explicit evidence from the text tells you how she feels?
She sat down on the ground and began to frown.
Lots of white flakes fell from the sky and covered the roads. Lucy woke up and crawled out of bed to peek out the window. She immediately turned on the news. Her eyes lit up and she smiled when she saw her school listed. Then she crawled back to bed and threw the covers over her head.
What did Lucy find out when she saw the news? How do you know?
Snow Day or School was closed because of the snow.
Clues: Lots of white flakes fell from the sky; She turned on the news; She saw her school listed; She went back to bed.
During recess, I always go to the library because there are a lot of amazing books there. I love reading. As it is quiet, it lets me concentrate and think about different things. The librarian is really nice and friendly too. She gives me candies all the time. What is the main idea?
The library is the speaker's favorite place.
Nathan had to get braces on tomorrow. He was concerned that it would hurt when he got them on. He was going to miss all of his favorite foods too!
Which details supports the fact that Nathan was not happy about getting braces.
"concerned that it would hurt" and "miss all of his favorite foods too!"
We watched as the engines roared, but they remained still. They were all lined up in a straight line waiting to accelerate. Each believing that they could win. A man stood close to the track waving a flag and off they went.
Where are they? How do you know?
Race Track
Clues: Engines roared; lined up in a straight line'; Believe they can win; Close to the track waving a white flag; Off they went.
The first ukuleles were developed in Hawaii in the 1800s, as a result of Portuguese influence. Native Hawaiians enjoyed music from a Portuguese instrument called the machete and adapted it to suit Hawaiian tastes. The ukulele soon spread to mainland America during the 1910s, where it became an immediate sensation. They quickly became very popular because they could be quickly and cheaply made from a small amount of wood. After the World Wars, plastic ukuleles revitalized the declining ukulele fad by making them even more affordable to the average American. Today, ukuleles are still enjoyed by many enthusiasts and come in a wide variety of shapes and sounds.
Ukuleles were developed in Hawaii and are still popular today.
Rachel climbed up the ladder. She got more and more nervous with every step she took. She glanced over at the lifeguard as her heart thumped in her chest. She finally reached the top, walked out on the board, and looked way down into the deep blue. Her friends had dared her, but could she do it?
What was Rachel afraid to do? How do you know?
Jump off the high diving board.
Clues: Climbed the ladder, walked out on the board; looked way down into the deep blue.
Eric gripped the bat in his hands. His palms were sweaty but he took a deep breath as he stepped up to the plate. He had to score a run or his team would lose the game. When the pitcher threw a fastball, Eric’s reflexes took over and he heard the “Crack!” of the bat hitting the ball. His heart raced with excitement as he ran to first base. He was safe!
Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.
Kenzie got a piece of candy from Grandma. Her eyes lit up with delight as she unwrapped the piece of candy and saw its colorful wrapper. A wide smile spread across her face as she savored the sweet taste of the candy melting in her mouth.
Which text evidence supports that Kenzie is happy about the candy?
Her eyes lit up with delight as she unwrapped the piece of candy and saw its colorful wrapper.
"Ooooohhh, Aaaaahh!" said the boys. As another one sparkled in the sky, they jumped up with excitement. "Boom! Boom!" They waited patiently for the grand exit when all the colors zoomed across the sky and loud noises filled the air. Afterwards, they gathered their belongings and walked to their car.
Where were they? How do you know?
A fireworks show.
Clues: Boom; Colors in the sky; Noises filled the air.
You learn about Science, Math, Art, and many other subject areas. The school has a lot of books for you to read. The teachers create fun activities to make learning fun. There are also a lot of other kids here, who you can become friends with to study together.
School is a great place to learn.
Miguel and his team had a season winning last game was tonight. Miguel's face lit up with joy and pride as he high-fived his teammates after their team won the softball game.
Which text evidence could be used to support that Miguel was overjoyed?
Miguel's face lit up with joy and pride as he high-fived his teammates after their team won the softball game.
I should have studied harder. My palms are sweating; my heart is racing; and my pencil broke! I raised my hand, hoping not to disrupt the other students. I looked back and forth from the clock to my paper. Time seemed to be racing by. I had to do my best!
What am I doing? How do you know?
Taking a test or quiz.
Clues: Should have studied harder; Sweaty palms; Heart racing; Pencil broke; Disturb other students; Time raced by: Had to do my best
Advances in technology and meteorology have led to more accurate forecasting of hurricanes days in advance of landfall. Those forecasts have likely saved countless lives, as people can prepare or evacuate. Unfortunately, those forecasts were not available to the victims of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. Four days before the storm hit Galveston, Texas, the National Weather Service sent out an alert that a tropical storm had hit Cuba, but there were no real concerns about it making landfall in Galveston. There were isolated warnings that the hurricane was headed for Texas, but the warnings were ignored because of the calm weather at the time. The storm made landfall on September 8, and in addition to strong winds, a high storm surge covered the island in seawater, which destroyed thousands of buildings and caused many deaths.
A better warning system could have saved lives during the 1900 Galveston Hurricane.