Infer 1
Jordan slammed his Chromebook shut and sighed, staring at the “try again” message on the screen.
What can you infer happened?
The science fair judges stopped at Kylie’s table. She straightened her poster and wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans.
What can you infer about her reaction?
She is nervous.
Marcus closed his textbook and whispered, “Finally,” as he shoved it into his backpack.
What can you infer about how he feels about the subject?
He does not like it/it's boring.
Riley walked into the cafeteria and froze. Everyone was already seated, and the announcements had started.
What can you infer about the time?
Riley is late
As the teacher announced the winners of the contest, Grace sat up straighter and smiled before her name was even read.
What can you infer about Grace?
She expected to win and was confident.
The moment the bell rang, Ethan packed up and hurried out without saying goodbye.
What can you infer?
He was eager to leave.
Nadia stared at her cracked phone screen and sighed, “My mom is going to kill me.”
What can you infer?
She broke her phone and fears consequences.
Alex walked into math class without a backpack, a pencil, or even a binder.
What can you infer?
He forgot his materials or is unprepared.
Carlos brought cupcakes to class, and no one seemed surprised.
What can you infer about the day?
It’s his birthday or a celebration day.
Jasmine opened her lunchbox, groaned, and pushed it away.
What can you infer?
She doesn't like what was packed.
When Olivia stepped into the gym, the entire basketball team went quiet. She noticed several players staring at her ankle brace. The coach walked over slowly, holding a clipboard. “You sure you’re up for this?” he asked. Olivia nodded, though she didn’t look confident.
Inference Question: What can you infer about what is happening?
Answer: Olivia is returning from an injury and the team is unsure if she is ready to play.
Clues: Ankle brace, team’s silence, coach’s hesitation, Olivia’s lack of confidence.
Drew reread the text message and then immediately hid his phone when his sister walked in. She raised an eyebrow as he tried to act casual. Throughout dinner, Drew kept glancing toward the hallway where his phone was charging. He barely touched his food. The moment he was excused, he sprinted to check his phone again.
Inference Question: What can you infer about Drew’s message?
The message was important, private, or from someone he is very interested in (friend, crush, or secret plan).
Clues: Hiding the phone, anxious behavior, repeated checking.
When Ms. Carter handed back the science tests, Zoe didn’t flip hers over. She stared at the corner of the paper where a red mark showed through. Her friend whispered, “How bad is it?” but Zoe just shrugged. She waited until the room was almost empty before finally looking. Her eyes widened, and she quickly shoved the paper into her backpack.
Inference Question: What can you infer Zoe saw on her test?
Answer: She likely received a low grade.
Clues: Red mark visible, hesitation, hiding the paper, avoiding friends’ reactions.
Marcus paced outside the audition room, whispering lines under his breath. Every time the door opened, he straightened up as if he might be called. When a younger student walked out crying, Marcus froze. He swallowed hard before stepping inside. A few minutes later, the judges clapped politely.
Inference Question: How do you think Marcus’s audition went? Why?
Answer: It went reasonably well — not perfect, but better than he feared.
Clues: Judges clapped politely, he didn’t come out upset, he managed to go through with it.
At lunch, Nora sat with her friends but didn’t say much. She kept checking her grades app, refreshing the page over and over. When the new notification finally appeared, she inhaled sharply. After a long moment of staring at her screen, she smiled and showed her friends. They immediately cheered and hugged her.
Inference Question: What can you infer happened?
Answer: A grade she was worried about finally posted, and she did well.
Clues: Constant checking, nervous reaction, friends cheering when she showed them.
When Leah walked into class, everyone suddenly stopped talking. A few students exchanged glances, and someone even slid their phone out of sight. Leah raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. She quietly took her seat and kept her eyes on her notebook. When the bell rang, her best friend whispered, “Just wait until lunch.”
Inference Question: What is most likely going on, and how do you know?
Inference: The class is planning a surprise for Leah (birthday, celebration, announcement).
Clues: Everyone went quiet, hid phones, friend said “wait until lunch.”
Jacob sat alone at lunch, picking at the sandwich he never intended to eat. His phone lit up with another message, but he flipped it facedown without opening it. When Liam walked by, Jacob looked away quickly. The guidance counselor approached him with a soft smile and asked if he wanted to talk. Jacob nodded almost immediately.
Inference Question: What is Jacob most likely experiencing, and why?
Inference: He is being bullied, excluded, or is upset from something social.
Clues: Avoiding messages, avoiding a peer, counselor intervention.
Logan arrived at the group project meeting twenty minutes late. His teammates stopped talking as soon as he walked in. He apologized quickly and pulled out his notes, but no one looked convinced. As they divided responsibilities, he received the easiest task with almost no explanation. Logan didn’t argue.
Inference Question: Why did Logan get the easiest task, and what does this suggest about past behavior?
Inference: He has a history of not being dependable, contributing little, or being late.
Clues: Group reaction, giving him the easiest task, no explanation, his lack of argument.
Ava carefully wrapped the tiny box and placed it inside her backpack. All morning, she checked to make sure it hadn’t opened or fallen out. When she approached her friend during lunch, she suddenly looked unsure. Before she could decide what to do, her friend said, “You don’t have to give it to me if you changed your mind.” Ava quickly shook her head and held out the box.
Inference Question: What is most likely inside the box, and why was Ava nervous?
Inference: It is a thoughtful or meaningful gift (bracelet, note, charm) and she’s nervous how her friend will react.
Clues: Checking it all morning, hesitation, friend sensing her nervousness.
During the field trip, the museum guide asked a difficult question. Several students stared at their shoes, but Henry’s hand shot up immediately. The guide raised an impressed eyebrow as Henry explained the answer confidently. A few classmates muttered, and one rolled her eyes. As they walked to the next exhibit, Henry stayed near the guide instead of his friends.
Inference Question: Why might some classmates have reacted negatively to Henry?
Inference: Classmates may be annoyed because he answers too often or appears to show off.
Clues: Eye rolls, muttering, Henry sticking with the guide instead of peers.
Ethan reread the email from the coach three times before closing his laptop. He didn’t tell anyone what it said, not even his brother. Instead, he grabbed a basketball and headed straight for the driveway. He practiced until the sun went down, missing dinner entirely. When he finally went inside, his mother said, “There’s always next year.”
Inference Question: What did the email probably say, and why?
Inference: He didn’t make the team or didn’t get the position he wanted.
Clues: Practicing intensely afterward; mom says “There’s always next year.”
Maya checked the clock for the fifth time in ten minutes. Her foot tapped faster each time the second hand moved. She kept glancing at the classroom door, barely listening to the lesson. When the speaker crackled to life, she sat up straight. A voice finally announced, “The results are posted.”
Inference Question: What “results” was Maya waiting for, and what clues tell you that?
Inference: She was waiting for results of something important—likely tryouts, elections, or a competition.
Clues: Nervous behavior, watching the door, announcement of “the results.”
In drama club, the room erupted into applause when the cast list was posted. Most students rushed forward to find their names. Serena, however, stood completely still, staring at the paper from across the room. She slowly walked toward it, took a deep breath, and then smiled so widely her friends started cheering. “Told you,” one of them said.
Inference Question: What role did Serena most likely get, and why was she so hesitant?
Inference: She got a major role (lead/important part) she really wanted.
Clues: Hesitation before checking, huge smile afterward, friends cheering.
Caleb watched the rain slide down the window while the teacher passed back graded essays. His paper landed on his desk face-down. He didn’t flip it over right away like usual. When he finally did, his shoulders dropped slightly, though he tried to hide it. After class, he asked the teacher if he could redo the assignment.
Inference Question: Why wasn’t Caleb eager to see his grade?
Inference: He expected a low grade or knew he didn’t do well.
Clues: Not eager to look, disappointment, asking for a redo.
Nina set her violin case on the stage and flexed her fingers nervously. She had practiced the piece every day for weeks, yet her hands still trembled. When her name was called, she gave a small nod and walked to the center of the stage. After she finished playing, the judges whispered to each other for a long moment. One of them finally smiled.
Inference Question: What can you infer about the outcome of Nina’s performance?
Inference: Her performance probably went well, or at least better than she feared.
Clues: Judges whisper, then one smiles.