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."
What did Jake have? How do you know?
Jake had a fish.
Clues: You use a pole to fish; a fish jerks on a pole when you catch one; reel it in.
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.
Where are they going? How do you know?
The Beach
Clues: Swim trunks; snorkels; Sand bucket; Sunscreen; Towels
Name a synonym for:
incorrect
Wrong
Name a synonym for:
plummet
fall
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 time of year was it? How do you know?
Christmas time.
Clues: Parents coming; Wrap presents; Tree lights
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!
What game is Jane playing?
Are the scores close?
How do you know?
Basketball
Yes
Clues: make this shot; whole game depended on her; dribbled the ball
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!"
Where are they? What happened? How do you know?
At a restaurant. The waiter dropped their food.
Clues: Dad's stomach growled; Mom watched food at other table; Loud crashing noise; Waiter apologized.
Name a synonym for:
entire
whole
Name a synonym for:
evidence
proof
Name an Antonym for
awful
amazing, wonderful
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.
Why were the boys sent to the office? How do you know?
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.
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.
Name a synonym for:
error
mistake
Name a synonym for
convince
persuade
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 and baton. Then she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank God!"
Who did Carrie run into? How do you know?
A police officer or Cop
Clues: Gun and baton; Breathed a sigh of relief.
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!"
What paper was Lauren's mom looking at?
How do you know?
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.
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.
Name a synonym for:
grateful
thankful
evaluate
Name an antonym for
specific
vague
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?
What was Rachel afraid to do? How do you know?
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.
Where were they? How do you know?
A fireworks show.
Clues: Boom; Colors in the sky; Noises filled the air.
Name a synonym for:
mild
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
Name a synonym for
savor
enjoy
Name a synonym AND antonym for
clever
Syn: smart
Ant: dumb