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."
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer)
What did Jake have?
Read: Lake, pole, reel it in
I know: You use a pole to fish; fish live in water and a lake is a body of water; you reel in a fish when you catch it
Infer: Jake had a fish.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) Where are they going?
The Beach
Clues: Swim trunks; snorkels; Sand bucket; Sunscreen; Towels
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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
Turtles move slowly on the ground and swim carefully in the water. They carry their shells on their backs like a little house. Even when things around them change fast, turtles keep going at their own pace. Sometimes, they stop to rest and look around quietly. Watching turtles can teach us that taking things slow can be very helpful.
What is the main idea?
Describing turtles
Ruben made a mental checklist: Do laundry. Go to supermarket. Clean house. Fix hallway light. Change the bed sheets in guest room. Wrap the presents. Put up the tree lights. His parents were coming in the morning and he didn't know how he would get everything done.
What is the main idea?
Ruben had chores to complete
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!
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer)
What game is Jane playing?
Read: 3 pointer; dribbled the ball
Know: 3 pointers happen in basketball; you dribble in soccer and basketball
Infer: She is playing baskeball
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!"
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) Where are they?
At a restaurant.
Clues: Dad's stomach growled; Mom watched food at other table; Waiter apologized.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) Where are they? How do you know?
Disney World or Disneyland
Clues: Wristband, Rides and shops; Mickey; Mouse ears
What is the strategy to determine the main idea when it is not in the first or last sentence?
1) Who/what is the text mostly about?
2) What is the most important thing about the who/what?
Tim was home in bed when the phone rang. It was his friend, Susan. "Come on! You don't know what you're missing," Susan shouted into the phone over the loud music and people yelling and laughing in the background.
What is the main idea?
Susan tried to get Tim to go to a party?
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer)
Why were the boys sent to the office?
The boys were fighting.
Clues: torn shirts and bruised faces; security guard had to keep them apart; they broke the rules.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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.
Fish swim through the water using their fins and tails to move quickly. Their shiny scales sparkle when the sunlight shines on them. Sometimes, they hide among plants or rocks to stay safe from bigger animals. They don’t make noise, but they are always busy exploring their underwater world. Watching fish shows how important it is to be careful and ready for anything.
Describing fish/ facts about fish
Carrie was walking home alone at night. She heard footsteps behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She began walking faster. The footsteps behind her started moving faster too. Finally, Carrie started running. She ran so fast, she didn't see where she was going. She ran right into a man with a gun, badge, and baton. Then she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank goodness!"
What is the main idea?
Carrie was being followed, but it ended up being a police officer.
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!"
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) What paper was Lauren's mom looking at?
Report Card
Clues: Lauren was worried; mom smiled as she looked at it; Lauren was relieved; Let's go get ice cream to celebrate.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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.
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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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 United States is a large country with many different places to explore, from tall cities to wide open mountains and deserts. There are mountains like Mount Denali in Alaska. The country has important landmarks like Grand Canyon in Arizona. Big cities in the USA include NYC, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
What is the main idea?
The USA has many different places / places in the USA
The light turned red and Jim did not stop. Next, there was a huge crashing sound. Jim got out of the car to inspect the damage. Police sirens were blaring in the distance.
What is the main idea?
Jim was in an accident.
Rachel climbed up the ladder. She got more and more nervous with every step she took. 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?
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) What was Rachel afraid to do?
Jump off the high diving board.
Clues: Climbed the ladder, walked out on the board; looked way down into the deep blue.
"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.
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) Where were they? How do you know?
A fireworks show.
Clues: Boom; Colors in the sky; Noises filled the air.
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!
Use the inference strategy (I read, I know, I infer) 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
New York City and Los Angeles are both big cities in the United States, but they are very different. New York City has tall buildings, busy streets, and lots of people who use subways to get around. Los Angeles is known for its sunny weather, wide roads, and many cars. While New York is full of tall skyscrapers, Los Angeles has big beaches and mountains nearby. Both cities have many things to see and do, but their styles and ways of life are not the same.
What is the main idea?
NYC and LA are different
Amy was wearing white and holding flowers as she walked down the aisle with her father by her side. All the guests were smiling at her, but she could only see the handsome man ahead. She could not wait to say "I do."
What is the main idea?
Amy is at her wedding.