Inferences
When Jordan entered the classroom, everyone suddenly stopped talking. Two students quickly closed a notebook, and another avoided making eye contact with him. What can Jordan reasonably infer?
The students were probably discussing or planning something they did not want Jordan to know about.
What does reluctant mean?
“Although his friends immediately volunteered for the talent show, Mateo was reluctant. He hesitated and said he wasn't sure he wanted to perform in front of everyone.”
Hesitant or unwilling.
Explain the meaning of current in each sentence:
Your friend looks at the huge pile of homework on the table and says:
“Well, this should only take about five minutes.”
What does your friend actually mean?
The homework will probably take a long time. The friend is being sarcastic.
Identify the figurative language and explain its meaning:
“The hallway was a river of students after the final bell.”
Metaphor — Many students were moving through the crowded hallway like flowing water.
Amara usually participates in every class discussion. Today, she kept her head down, gave one-word answers, and immediately packed her belongings when the bell rang. What can you infer?
Something may be bothering Amara, or she may be upset, uncomfortable, or distracted.
What does deteriorate mean?
“Without regular maintenance, the abandoned stadium began to deteriorate. Seats cracked, metal rusted, and sections of the roof began to collapse.”
To become progressively worse in condition.
Explain the meaning of volume in each sentence:
Before the championship game, the coach tells the team:
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch.”
What does the coach mean?
Don't assume you will succeed before the outcome is certain.
dentify the figurative language and explain its meaning:
“The old floorboards groaned beneath our feet.”
Personification — The floorboards made creaking sounds as though they could groan like a person.
The restaurant had dozens of empty tables, but the host told customers there would be a 30-minute wait. Through the kitchen doors, several employees could be seen rushing around while one manager was making phone calls. What can you infer?
The restaurant is probably short-staffed or experiencing another problem that prevents it from serving all of its tables.
What does ambiguous mean?
“The teacher's directions were ambiguous. Some students thought the assignment was due Thursday, while others believed it was due Friday.”
Unclear or able to be interpreted in more than one way.
Explain the meaning of draft in each sentence:
After Noah accidentally tells everyone about a surprise party, his sister says:
“Well, you really let the cat out of the bag.”
What does she mean?
Noah accidentally revealed information that was supposed to remain secret.
Identify the figurative language and explain its meaning:
“The rumor spread through the school like wildfire.”
Simile — The rumor spread extremely quickly from person to person.
Eli insisted he had completed the group project himself. However, when the teacher asked him to explain one section, he could not define several terms or explain how the information had been gathered. What can you infer?
Eli may not have completed all of the project himself or may not fully understand the work he submitted.
What does discredit mean?
“The attorney attempted to discredit the witness by showing that several details in his story contradicted the security footage.”
To cause others to doubt someone's truthfulness, reliability, or credibility.
Explain the meaning of strike in each sentence:
After hearing an unbelievable excuse, the teacher responds:
“That's quite a story.”
What might the teacher actually be communicating?
The teacher may doubt the story or believe the student is exaggerating or being dishonest.
Identify and explain the figurative language:
“After three hours of practice, my backpack weighed a thousand pounds and the walk home lasted forever.”
Hyperbole — The speaker exaggerates to emphasize that the backpack felt extremely heavy and the walk felt very long.
Question:
For months, a town opposed building a new recreation center because of its cost. After a major company announced plans to move into town and provide hundreds of jobs, several former opponents suddenly supported the project. What can you infer about why their opinions changed?
They may believe the new jobs and economic growth will increase revenue or make the recreation center more affordable or beneficial to the community.
What does substantiate mean?
“Kayla claimed that the new study method improved test scores, but her teacher asked her to substantiate the claim with data rather than relying on her personal opinion.”
To provide evidence that proves or supports a claim.
Explain the meaning of compound in each sentence:
A student proposes an extremely complicated solution to a simple problem. His partner responds:
“Sure, and while we're at it, why don't we build a rocket to get to the cafeteria?”
What is the partner actually communicating?
The proposed solution is unnecessarily complicated or unrealistic. The partner is using sarcasm and exaggeration to criticize the idea.
Read the sentence:
“Doubt was a tiny crack in his confidence, but with every mistake, the crack widened.”
What type of figurative language is being used, and what does it mean?
Extended metaphor — Doubt is compared to a crack that grows larger. It means that each mistake caused him to lose more confidence.