Inferences A
David couldn't believe his eyes. It was even bigger than he ever imagined it could be. He couldn't wait to see Mickey Mouse and ride the rides.
Where is David? how do you know?
He is at Disney World/Land.
Pat walked into her grandma’s backyard. She smelled hay and cows. She heard chickens cluck and roosters crow.
Where does her Grandma live? How do you know?
At a farm
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door.
Where is Cassie going? How do you know?
School
When David won the grand prize, he was ecstatic .He loved roller coasters and had won enough tickets to go every ride at the amusement park. He decided to share his winnings and invited all the kids who had participated in the contest to go with him.
How would you describe David?
Generous and kind
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door.
What problem is Cassie having?
She woke up late
When we woke up the next morning we saw snapped trees and our neighbor's lawn chair in our backyard. We were thankful to be alive. What can you infer from this passage? What clues told you this?
There was a bad storm
Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped onto the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his stomach and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down in the garbage can and arranged loose pieces of trash over it. As he plopped down on the couch, he let out a sigh and picked up his controller.
Why did he put his report card in the soup can and turn it upside down?
He wanted to make sure no one found it
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Which boy does Veronica like? How can you tell?
Johnny
The boy sat down for dinner. He took peas, carrots, beans, and potatoes. He did not take any bread, fruit, or meat. What can you infer about the boy?
He likes vegetables.
Andrew played soccer after school. At home he watched a basketball game. He traded baseball cards with his friend.
What can you infer about Andrew?
He likes sports.
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
What special day is today? How did you know?
Valentine's Day
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 Jane playing? What sentence helped you to infer this?
basketball
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “You better hope I don't find you...." his mom muttered under her breath as she went in a search for Tommy.
Why is Tommy hiding?
He is scared he's going to get in trouble.
Carlos woke up late at night. It was dark. He heard a loud bump. Something tapped on his window. Something moved in the corner. Carlos hid under his covers.
How is Carlos feeling?
Scared
The little boy looked sheepishly down at the ground. His Mom clenched her teeth. She couldn't believe what he had just done!
How is his Mom feeling? What clues helped you to infer this from the passage.
His Mom is upset.
You are in class and one of your peers walks in late. His shirt is untucked and wrinkled. He forgot his homework. He seems exhausted and frazzled, and doesn’t seem to know what is going on in class today. He looks concerned, and he is yawning every other minute.
What can you infer about the situation?
The classmate did not get a lot of sleep and is tired
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
What were mom and Max planning on doing today?
Going to the park for a picnic.
Mary was very proud of her garden. She'd planted the seeds early in the spring and tended to the plants every day since then. She pulled the weeds so they'd have lots of space. She knew that the plants needed plenty of water, so she watered them every day too. Last Saturday her friend Pam called early in the morning and invited Mary to spend the day at the mall. They left early and spent the day there, even taking in a movie. Pam then invited Mary to sleep over Saturday night too, and she happily accepted. When Mary arrived home on Sunday afternoon, her beautiful plants were bent and drooping.
Why were the plants drooping? What clue in the story helped you to make this inference?
Mary had not watered the plants. The plants needs a lot of water.
Mr. Craig was at the park with his family. He was the family cook and stood at the grill cooking the hot dogs while everyone else swam in the pool. The little boy had been standing by the tree for a few minutes before Mr. Craig really noticed him. "Do you need any help?" the boy asked. "No, I think I've got it under control!" Mr. Craig chuckled. Then he noticed the boy's dirty t-shirt and ragged pants. "I might need some help eating all of these hot dogs though," Mr. Craig said. "I think I may have cooked too many. Would you like one?" "Okay," the boy said. "I wouldn't want you to have too many."
Why had the boy asked to help Mr. Craig? What clues helped you to make this inference?
The boy was most likely homeless and hungry.
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
Why is Max upset?
They can't go to the park because there is a bad storm
Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and her clothing was disheveled. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: “Oh... John…” And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, “I need to get my jacket back from you.” Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.
What is the relationship between John and Anastasia? Why is she sad?
They are boyfriend and girlfriend; he broke up with her.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way into the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What can you infer the relationship between Alice and Paul is?
mother and son or husband and wife.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way into the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What type of person is Alice? What evidence from the text supports this?
Alice is controlling; Alice is a neat-freak; Alice likes things a certain way.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way into the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What job does Paul have? What evidence from the text makes you think this?
Farmer, garbage man, some sort of job where he works outside and gets dirty
Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. “9:48,” she shouted, “Holy cow!” Cassie jumped out of bed, and threw on yesterday's outfit. Even though her apron had a stain on it, she didn't have time to search for a clean outfit.
What can you infer Cassie's job is?
a chef; a waitress