DEFINITION
What is an inferential question?
A question that requires interpreting information not directly stated in the text.
What is the main purpose of inferential questions?
To make us think more deeply about the text.
What words often begin an inferential question?
Why, How, What might, Could, Would.
Name one type of inferential question.
Cause-effect, prediction, feeling, theme, author’s reason.
Name one modal verb used in inferential questions.
Might, could, would.
How is an inferential question different from a literal question?
Literal questions rely on stated facts; inferential questions require reasoning.
How do inferential questions build critical thinking?
They help you think harder and smarter.
What kind of answers do inferential questions usually require?
Answers that need explanation.
What is a predictive inference question?
A question about what might happen next.
What verbs like “suggest” or “imply” do in inferential questions?
They show hidden meaning.
What skills does answering an inferential question require?
It requires critical thinking, interpretation, and using context clues.
Why are they important in reading comprehension tests?
To check if you really understand the story.
Why are inferential questions considered “open-ended”?
Because there’s more than one right answer.
How does a question about character motivation work?
It asks why a character did something.
Why are logical connectors like “because” or “therefore” important?
They help explain your answer clearly.
Why are inferential questions not directly answered in the text?
Because they rely on implication and require the reader to draw conclusions.
How do they improve a student’s reading skills?
They make you pay more attention and think deeper.
How is background knowledge used in answering them?
You use what you already know to help.
What kind of inference is made when identifying theme?
One that finds the story’s message.
How does modal language signal uncertainty or possibility?
It shows the answer is a guess, not a fact.
How do readers form inferences without explicit information?
By combining evidence from the text with prior knowledge and logical reasoning.
What role do inferential questions play in deep analysis?
They help you find hidden ideas or messages.
What makes inferential question structure cognitively demanding?
It makes your brain work harder to connect ideas.
Why do author’s purpose questions fall under inference?
Because you guess why the author did something.
What language features make a question analytical rather than factual?
Words that ask you to think, not just find facts.