Making Inferences 1
The scout leader looked at the sky and muttered something under his breath. Then he looked at the map. "Let's get moving," he called to the group of tired boys. "The faster the better."
What do you think the scout leader was feeling?
The scout leader was feeling worried because he thought a storm was coming.
The bus was full of children. Everyone was laughing and talking. Gavin scratched a mosquito bite on his leg. It had been a fun week, but he was glad that he would be sleeping in his own bed tonight instead of the cabin.
Where was the bus coming from?
The bus is coming from summer camp.
Mr. Morris stood on his front porch watching the boys run away down the street. He walked slowly to the sidewalk and picked up the bat that was laying there. Then he looked at the broken window on his house and sighed.
Why were the boys running away?
The boys were running away because they had hit a ball through the window.
Jeremy had his bag propped up a few feet away. He hit the ball and it went really far. When he went to find the ball, he found it in the sand.
What game is Jeremy playing?
Jeremy was golfing.
Ryan ran all the way home from school. "Mom," he shouted as soon as he opened the door. "Look!" He handed his mother some papers. "You were right, all that studying really did pay off!" he said excitedly.
What was on the papers?
The papers were an assignment or test with a good grade.
Emily handed the book to the librarian. The librarian opened the book and found crayon scribbles on almost every page. "I'm really sorry," said Emily. "I should have kept the book in my room."
What happened to Emily's library book?
Emily's younger sibling scribbled in the library book.
Andy tried not to fidget in his new clothes. There were at least a hundred people in the audience.
What if he messed up? He heard his name and for a moment, he could not move. The boy next to him gave him a gentle push and he walked onto the stage and toward the drums.
What was Andy feeling?
Andy was feeling scared and nervous about his drum recital/recital.
Mom lit three candles. "There, that's better," she said. Alice turned off her flashlight. The house was quiet except for the sound of the wind blowing through the trees outside.
Why did mom light candles?
The wind storm made the power go out.
It was 8:30 on Thursday night. Bella stared at the large, empty poster board on her bed. Then she looked at the assignments from her English class on the floor. Bella began to cry.
Why do you think Bella was crying?
Bella had not started an English project that was due the next day.
Alex knew he was in big trouble. He looked worriedly at the math test on the desk in front of him. The door opened and Mr. Smith came into the office. "I've called your parents, and they are on their way," he said.
Why is Alex in trouble?
Alex is in trouble because he cheated on his math test.
Jasmine went upstairs and quietly peeked into the bedroom. She listened for a moment, and then went back downstairs. She washed the dinner dishes and then she studied for a Math test until her parents got home.
Why did Jasmine go upstairs?
What makes you think so?
Jasmine went upstairs to check on her younger sibling who is already sleeping.
Gabe packed his bag, said goodbye to his family, and looked at his boarding pass.
What was Gabe preparing to do?
Gabe was preparing to go on a trip.
Splat! "Oh, my!" shouted Mackenzie as she stopped to clean up the mess. "I hope we have another one." She looked in the fridge and pulled out the carton. One left! Breakfast wasn't ruined after all.
What did Mackenzie clean up?
Mackenzie cleaned up a broken egg, a yogurt cup, etc.
Ben arrived at school ten minutes early. He stood outside the classroom, checking his schedule even though he had already memorized it.
What can you infer about Ben?
He may be anxious, nervous, or worried about getting something wrong. He might have a quiz this day but wants to make sure he remembers what time the quiz is.
When the teacher announced the results, Priya smiled and clapped for everyone else. She folded her own paper in half and pushed it beneath her workbook.
What can you infer about Priya?
Priya may be disappointed or embarrassed by her result.
She may be trying to hide her feelings from the people around her.
She might not want others to see her mark because she is worried about being judged.
“You don't have to stay,” Amira said. She moved her bag from the spare chair and placed it on the floor. When her friend began putting on her coat, Amira turned towards the window.
What can you infer about Amira's feelings? Why might her words mean more than they literally say?
Amira may want her friend to stay, despite saying that she does not have to. Moving the bag creates space for her friend, while turning away could suggest that she is hiding disappointment or trying not to appear needy.
Her words could be interpreted as genuine permission or as an indirect expression of wanting company. The actions suggest that the second interpretation is possible.
The man placed the photograph face down on the mantelpiece. He dusted the frame, adjusted it so that it stood perfectly straight, then walked past it without looking back. At the doorway, he stopped and returned to turn it over again.
What inference can you make about the man and his relationship with the photograph? Use at least two details.
The photograph appears to have emotional significance for him, possibly connected to grief, regret or a difficult memory. His careful handling suggests that it matters to him, but placing it face down and avoiding it could indicate that he finds it painful to look at. Returning to turn it over again suggests that he cannot completely detach himself from it.
Accept: Other interpretations, such as guilt, nostalgia or conflicted feelings
The house was spotless. The cushions were arranged at identical angles, the books were measured into neat rows and the clock ticked loudly in the silence. In the kitchen, a single plate lay cracked beside the sink.
What might the setting reveal about the person who lives there? Explain how the final detail changes your interpretation.
The house initially suggests order, precision and a desire for control. The cracked plate introduces the possibility of tension, distress or a disruption beneath the carefully maintained surface. It could suggest that the apparent perfection is fragile or that something has recently gone wrong.
Every evening, the old woman placed two plates on the table. She ate from one, then cleared both away before washing the dishes. One night, she placed only one plate down. After a long pause, she returned to the cupboard and took out the second.
What deeper inference might the writer be encouraging the reader to make? Use the pattern of behaviour to support your answer
The repeated setting of two plates suggests that the old woman may be grieving, missing someone or maintaining a long-established routine connected to another person. Her decision to set out only one plate, followed by her return for the second, implies that she struggles to break the habit or emotionally let go.
The second plate could represent memory, companionship, loss or hope. The extract does not confirm who the absent person is, so the answer should focus on the emotional significance of the repeated ritual rather than inventing a specific backstory.
The garden was carefully maintained. Every flowerbed was perfectly straight, the paths had been swept and not a single leaf lay on the lawn. Behind the greenhouse, however, weeds pushed through the paving stones.
What can the garden tell us about the owner or land?
The garden may suggest that its owner values order, control and appearances. The neglected area behind the greenhouse could imply that something is being hidden, overlooked or gradually becoming difficult to control.