Inference 101
Jake and Tim sat quietly next to each other, each thinking his own thoughts. 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?
What is a fish You use a pole to fish and a fish jerks on a pole when you catch on. Then, you have to reel it in.
Kody packed his suitcase, snorkels, and sand bucket. Mom packed the sunscreen, towels, tickets, and her identification. They couldn't wait to get to their sunny destination and relax. First, they would have to arrive at least an hour early and go through security before they could get on their way. Where are they going? How are they going to get there? How do you know?
What is on vacation because of the suitcase and somewhere on the beach. They would be taking an airplane because you need a ticket, id, and to go through security when you are flying somewhere.
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?
What is she got a car and the clues are it's her 16th birthday, it was outside, and it had a sunroof.
You walk into a room and this is what you see: blood on the floor, an empty birdcage, and a happily purring cat. What happened? What are the clues?
What is the cat ate the bird. Clues are empty birdcage, purring cat, and the blood.
Rubin made a mental checklist: Do laundry. Go to supermarket and get groceries. Clean house. Fix hallway light. Change the bed sheets in guest room. Wrap presents. "What if the tree lights don't work?" he thought. His parents were coming in the morning and he didn't know how he would get everything done. What can you infer from this passage? How is Robin feeling? What are the clues?
What is It is Christmas time and Robin is stressed out about getting everything done before his parents get there. The clues are lights on the tree, presents, and the list of things to do.
Jane knew she had to make this shot. The whole game depended on her. She dribbled the ball and threw it. She closed her eyes and hoped she made it! What game is the girl playing? Is the score of the game close?
What is basketball Yes, because she said that she knew she needed to make this shot.
Dad began tapping his fingers on the table. His stomach growled as he looked at his watch. Mom fiddled with her straw and eyed the food at the other table. The kids where fighting and whining. There was a crashing noise and suddenly the server appeared and apologized. Where are they? What happened?
What is they are at a restaurant and their food is taking forever. Then the waiter dropped the tray of food.
When they entered the gate the woman gave them a wristband. They looked around at all the rides and shops and couldn't decided which one to go to first. Their mom yelled, "Look, there's Pluto!" To their left, they saw his mouse ears from a mile away. They decided he head in his direction. Where are they? Who are they headed toward? How do you know?
What is Disney World. The clues are getting their wristbands at the gate, Pluto, and they saw his mouse ears from a mile away.
"Troy stumbled, blushed and shook as he addressed the crowd." He had spent hours preparing for what he would say. He held his speech in his hand. He was up against last years student council president. What can you infer about Troy from this statement?
What is he is running for student council president and he is about to give his speech in front of his classmates. He is very nervous.
"You don't know what you're missing," Susan shouted into the phone over the loud music of the party. "Nah, I'm too tired," Tim said. "Well, suit yourself, but you'll be sorry," Susan replied. What can you infer? What are your text clues?
What is Susan wants Tim to come to the Party. Clues are found in their conversation.
As the boys sat outside the principal's office, with torn shirts and muddy faces, they knew they were in trouble. Mrs. Mackey 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. What did the boys do to be sent to the principal's office? Why were the boy's dirty? What part of the school day did the incident occur?
What is they were fighting outside during recess and had been sent to the office for the offense.
The mom straps her toddler into the car seat. She goes around and loads the sacks in the back. As she backs out and drives away, she looks into her rear view mirror and sees her toddler holding a shiny new hot wheels car. She immediately turns the car around and parks again. She talks sternly to her child as she unstraps him. Where are they? Why does she turn the car around? What did the child do that made the mom angry?
What is they were shopping at a store. The child stole a toy and the mom turns around to go return the toy.
Elizabeth was so proud of her garden. She planted the seeds early in the spring and watered the plants every morning. Last Friday, her mom called and asked her to come over for the weekend 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 few days, so the plants were not doing well.
The sun was low in the sky. Kay's body ached. Blisters had formed on her hands. She set the rake down on the big pile of leaves and headed for home. What can you infer from this passage? What are the clues?
What is Kay had worked a long time raking leaves. The clues are her body aching, blistered had formed on her hands, and she used a rake.
Carrie heard footsteps behind her. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She began to quicken her pace, hoping that whoever was following her wouldn't notice, but at last she gave in to a run. What can you infer? What are your clues?
What is Carrie is afraid that someone is following her. Clues are the hair on her neck stood on end, she gave in to a run.
Lauren worried when she handed her mom her envelope. She carefully watched mom looking over the paper, and a feeling of relief swept over her and a smile spread across mom's face. Mom said "let's go get ice cream to celebrate!" Why was Lauren worried? What paper was mom looking at? Why does mom want to go get ice cream?
What is she wasn't sure her grades were what her mom had expected. She was looking at her report card. Her mom was very proud of Lauren's grades.
White flakes fell from the sky and covered the roads. Lucy crawled out of bed and peeked out the window. She immediately turned on her computer. Her eyes lit up when she saw it listed. Then, she crawled back to bed and threw the covers over her head. Why does Lucy check her computer? What is she looking for? What does she find out?
What is she is looking to see if school is canceled and it is so she goes back to bed.
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?
What is they are at the races. The clues are the engines roared, waiting to accelerate, each believing they could win, and the man with the flag.
As usual, Jim left for school ten minutes later than he should have. His shoelaces were untied and his backpack was unzipped. He had traveled only one block when he heard his mother shout his name. He looked back and saw her waving his brown bag lunch. What type of person is Jim? What are the clues?
What is Jim is disorganized and forgetful. The clues are his shoe laces were untied and his back pack unzipped. His mom had to call him back to get his lunch that he had forgotten.
The light turns yellow and he doesn't hit his brakes. There is a huge crashing sound and then the sound of sirens approaching. He gets out to inspect the damage. What can you infer? What are the clues?
What is the guy ran a yellow light and had an accident. The police are on their way. Text clues should come from the passage.
Rachel climbed under the covers and got out her flashlight. She snuck out her book and began to read. Before she knew it, the clock read 11pm! As she heard her mom walking toward her room, she quickly turned off her light and pretended to snore. Why did Rachel use a flashlight? How did Rachel feel about what she was reading? Why did she pretend to snore?
What is she didn't want her parents to know that she was awake past her bedtime. She couldn't wait to see what happened next in her book.
"Ohhh, Ahh!" said the boys. As another one sparkled in the sky, they jumped up with excitement. "Boom!" They waited patiently for the grand exit when colors zoomed across the sky and loud noises filled the air. Then, they gathered their belongings and walked to their car. Where are they? How do you know?
What is the fireworks show. Boom, colors in the sky, loud noises, are all text clues.
My palms are sweating, my heart is racing, and my pencil broke. I raise my hand hoping not to disrupt anyone else. I look at the clock and time seems to be racing by. I have to do my best! Where am I? What am I doing?
What is in the classroom taking a big test?
He walks in the door toting his heavy backpack and waits in line to get his pass. Then, he is moving in and out of all the people as he makes his way to his destination. The room is empty. They must have moved onto their next destination. Where is the boy? What can you infer after reading this?
What is he is late for school. Some of the clues are getting the pass, his backpack, and the room being empty.
We looked everywhere, posted signs, and made flyers. Then, we arrived at the building. The lady said we could go take a look. We went down the rows and rows of barking cages looking closely and hoping above everything else! What can you infer? How do you know?
What is a dog was lost and they went to the shelter to look for it. Clues should be from text