Making Inferences

I Can Infer...

100

The Canadian province of Quebec was originally settled by French fur traders. Eventually, cities grew to support the fur trade. As a result, other industries (such as logging) became the main source of income for residents. Based on this passage, you can infer that some residents of Quebec may speak which language? a. French b. Spanish c. English d. Mandarin

a. French

200

Carrots are an excellent source of retinol. Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A and is essential for good vison and strong teeth. It is often found in foods such as eggs, liver, and fish. For vegetarians, the best source of retinol is carrots. Based on this passage, what can you infer about the amount of retinol in eggs, liver, and fish? a. It is the same or greater than the amount of carrots. b. It is less than the amount in carrots. c. Eggs, liver, and fish do not contain retinol. d. Carrots are the healthiest vegetable.

b. It is less than the amount in carrots.

300

Katie and Jazzy both auditioned for a singing role in a musical. Katie landed a spot in the musical, but Jazzy did not. The reader can reasonably infer: a. The directors thought Jazzy was a better singer than Katie. b. The directors thought Katie was a better singer than Jazzy. c. Neither Katie nor Jazzy had a chance to sing during the auditions. d. The directors gave Katie the lead and Jazzy a supporting role.

b. The directors thought Katie was a better singer than Jazzy.

400

Robert and Pablo both glanced around the room nervously as the teacher handed back the graded tests. The teacher handed Pablo his test and smiled. The teacher handed Robert his test and asked, “What happened?” The reader can reasonably infer: A. Pablo did not do well on the test. B. Robert did not do well on the test. C. Robert was not in school the day of the test. D. Pablo studied day and night.

B. Robert did not do well on the test.

500

Khadija slammed her math textbook closed and crumpled up the piece of paper she was working on. “Ugh!” she said. Based on this passage, what can you infer about Khadija? A. Khadija enjoys math. B. Khadija is having difficulty with math. C. Khadija has finished her homework. D. Khadija loves Writer’s Workshop.

B. Khadija is having difficulty with math.

Using Schema and the Text

100

Tsewang flicked the light switch on and off, but nothing happened. He tried to turn on his TV, but it wouldn’t come on either. He began to worry because soon it would be dark and he was in the house alone. Based on this description, what can the reader infer? A. Tsewang’s parents are on vacation. B. Tsewang is not in his own house. C. The power has gone out. D. Tsewang broke the light.

C. The power has gone out.

200

Charles loved going to the zoo. He especially loved visiting his favorite animal. He thought its spotted coat was beautiful and found its long, long neck very graceful. He was always amazed when one walked close to him or stretched out to eat the leaves at the top of the tree. The reader can infer that Charles’s favorite animal is a(n): A. elephant B. giraffe C. tiger D. gorilla

B. giraffe

300

Shamire was promoted from third to fifth grade. The teachers at his school decided he did not have to attend fourth grade at all. The reader can infer: A. Shamire did not attend second grade. B. Shamire will not have to go through sixth grade. C. Shamire did extremely well in the third grade. D. Shamire misses fourth grade.

C. Shamire did extremely well in the third grade.

400

Caroline loved this time of year. She love the bright red leaves on the trees, piles of leaves on sidewalks, and the decorated pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns showing up on people’s steps and porches. What season can the reader infer it is? A. spring B. summer C. autumn D. winter

C. autumn

500

Betzi looked down; the sound of everyone’s laughter burned in her ears. She felt her face grow warm and she knew she was turning red. She wished she could just walk out of the classroom. Based on this description, what can the reader infer? A. Betzi is embarrassed. B. Betzi is in a new school. C. Betzi is very angry. D. Betzi needs to use the bathroom.

A. Betzi is embarrassed.

Inferencing

100

Dominic’s little brother looked at the new bike a bit apprehensively. “Are you sure I won’t get hurt?” he asked Dominic. Dominic replied, “Oh you might fall once or twice, but you’ll be okay. Just wear your helmet.” Dominic’s little brother looked up at him, “And you will hold onto it so it doesn’t fall over?” Dominic nodded. From this excerpt, what can the reader infer? A. Dominic’s little brother doesn’t trust him. B. Dominic is learning to ride a bicycle. C. Dominic’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle. D. Dominic is a terrible bike rider.

C. Dominic’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.

200

When Yarethsi walked into the house, all of her friends jumped out and yelled “Surprise!” She saw a stack of brightly wrapped gifts on the table, along with a cake with ten candles on it. Colorful balloons were tied to all of the chairs. Based on this description, which of the following is a reasonable inference? A. It is Yarethsi’s birthday. B. Yarethsi is visiting her grandmother. C. It is a family reunion. D. Yarethsi hates surprises.

A. It is Yarethsi’s birthday.

300

Caleb let his dog, Roscoe, into the house. Roscoe ran over his food bowl and wildly began to wag his tail. The reader can reasonably infer: A. Caleb was not supposed to let Roscoe into the house yet. B. Roscoe is a goldendoodle. C. Roscoe is hungry. D. Caleb loves dogs.

C. Roscoe is hungry.

400

The teacher told the children to clear everything but a pencil from their desks. She then began handing out tests. Austin looked startled. “Wait! Ms. Evans? The test is today? Are you sure? I thought it was tomorrow!” Which of the following statements can the reader infer? A. Ms. Evans lied to the students about the test. B. Austin did not study for the test. C. Austin will get the lowest grade in the class. D. Austin did not do his homework last night.

B. Austin did not study for the test.

500

Lauren sat in the lobby of her apartment building watching people come in from the street. Almost everyone who came in was carrying an umbrella. Those who weren’t, she observed, had wet hair and soaking wet coats. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? A. Lauren lives on the first floor. B. It is raining outside. C. Lauren’s parents told her to wait for them in the lobby. D. The adults were playing in the sprinkler.

B. It is raining outside.

Reasonable Inferences

100

Betzi looked around the classroom but didn’t see her friend Reema anywhere. “Hmmm…” she thought. “Reema was coughing a lot yesterday and said she had a sore throat.” The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? A. Reema has moved away. B. Reema doesn’t want to be friends with Betzi anymore. C. Reema is ill and stayed home today. D. Betzi will get sick next.

C. Reema is ill and stayed home today.

200

Caroline and her mom watched the large van truck drive away slowly. Then, they walked through the empty rooms of the house one last time before getting into the car and leaving. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? A. Caroline’s house has been robbed. B. Caroline and her mom are moving. C. Caroline doesn’t know where they are going. D. Caroline and her mom are going on vacation.

B. Caroline and her mom are moving.

300

Edwin was surprised when he saw Elijah come into the classroom with a cast on his arm. He had seen Elijah fall off his bike the day before, but he didn’t realize the injury was so serious. Based on this excerpt, which of the following can the reader infer? A. Elijah broke his arm when he fell off his bike. B. Elijah broke his leg when he fell off his bike. C. Elijah had surgery recently. D. Edwin is the reason Elijah got hurt.

A. Elijah broke his arm when he fell off his bike.

400

Elijah heard loud sirens and watched as a bright red engine sped down the street in front of his house. In the distance, he could see smoke rising into the sky. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? A. Someone is being arrested on Elijah’s street. B. Someone has been injured on Elijah’s street. C. There is a fire on Elijah’s street. D. Elijah started a fire.

C. There is a fire on Elijah’s street.

500

A letter came in the mail for Amy. Amy’s mother showed it to her and told her she was very disappointed. “Think about the other people who are waiting for that book. You must return it immediately.” The reader can reasonably infer that the letter came from: A. the hospital B. the police C. the library D. the principal

C. the library

It is likely that...

100

“Hmmm,” said the school nurse as she looked at Tsewang. “Sit down here,” she said, helping him sit on the examining table. Then she popped a thermometer into his mouth. “Do you feel as if you have a fever?” she asked him. Tsewang nodded his head yes. Then the nurse felt under Tsewang’s jaw. “Very swollen, young man,” she announced. “Your glands are very swollen. Have you been playing with Pablo?” Tsewang nodded his head yes. “I thought so,” said the nurse. “Pablo went home with the mumps two days ago, and mumps are contagious.” It is likely that: A. Pablo has the mumps, but Tsewang does not. B. A contagious disease is one that can be caught from one person and spread to another. C. A contagious disease is one that causes a fever and swollen jaws. D. The nurse is afraid she’ll get sick next.

B. A contagious disease is one that can be caught from one person and spread to another.

200

Jazzy and Charles were standing waiting for their turns. So far, they were leading by 25 points. But if Alyvia and Shamire shot one into the bulls-eye and two into the next circle, they’d catch up. Jazzy watched as Alyvia took her stance facing the target. Jazzy could see the white target with the red and black circles. She could see the bale of straw behind the target. There were no trees or buildings, just the bales of straw and the targets. Alyvia straightened her elbow and wrist. She eyed the target. She let go of the string. It was a bulls-eye! It is likely that: A. Jazzy and the others are at an archery contest at school. B. Jazzy and the others are shooting pistols at a target. C. Alyvia and Shamire will not get the 25 points. D. There will be a rematch.

A. Jazzy and the others are at an archery contest at school.

300

“Robert, where is your homework?” asked the teacher. “Ummm. I was sick,” said Robert. “But you were in school,” said the teacher. “Ummm, yeah, but I got sick after school. That’s why I didn’t do my homework,” said Robert. “But I saw you at the basketball game last night, Robert,” said the teacher. “Umm, yeah,” said Robert, “but I got sick after the game.” “But you should have done your homework before the game, Robert. It’s too late to do it after the game.” It is likely that: A. The teacher feels sorry that Robert got sick. B. The teacher is upset with Robert. C. Robert is telling the truth. D. Robert has a strong immune system.

B. The teacher is upset with Robert.

400

Dominic put his hands on the desk and took a deep breath. Why did he have to take algebra? It didn’t make sense that he had to take algebra. Couldn’t he get into college without taking algebra? The principal said no. She said he had to take algebra in the ninth grade. So there he was, taking algebra. It frightened him. Dominic remembered that Victoria, his oldest sister had hated algebra. “Wait until you have to take algebra,” Victoria had said. And now, here he was in algebra class. The teacher was already writing things that didn’t make sense on the board. She had just written, “x + 4 = 7.” What in the world did that mean? X wasn’t a number! What was going on here?! It is likely that: A. Algebra is a foreign language. B. Algebra is the study of letters. C. In algebra you use numbers and letters. D. Dominic’s sister failed algebra.

C. In algebra you use numbers and letters.

500

Austin looked all around the locker room. Wow! Junior high school was really different from elementary school! They didn’t have locker rooms in elementary school. Rows and rows of shiny red lockers filled the room. Austin walked up and down and looked around. After gym class, Austin opened his locker and threw in his gym clothes. He snapped the door closed and went to take a shower. Then he returned to the locker. But the locker wouldn’t open. “Hey!” said Austin. “What gives? Why won’t this locker open?” “You have to know the combination,” said the kid next to him. “Don’t you know it?” Uh oh, thought Austin. I’m going to be late for my next class. It is likely that: A. The key to Austin’s lock is inside the locker, with Austin’s clothes. B. Somebody has stolen Austin’s clothes. C. Austin does know the combination to the lock. D. This is all just a bad dream.

C. Austin does know the combination to the lock.