Inferences
During an experiment, Maya was reluctant to touch the mystery material. She put on gloves, stepped back, and asked her teacher if it was safe. What can you infer about Maya?
Maya is hesitant or concerned that the material may not be safe.
A student neglected to water one of two identical plants for an entire week. What will most likely happen?
The plant that did not receive water will probably wilt or grow less than the watered plant.
What does this sentence mean?
“The sun was a blazing furnace above the scientists.”
The sun was extremely hot.
Read and summarize:
The class placed one plant near a sunny window and another in a dark cabinet. After one week, the plant near the window was healthy, while the other was pale and weak.
The plant receiving sunlight grew healthier than the plant kept in darkness.
What does observe mean?
“The students carefully observed the caterpillar each day, watching and recording every change they noticed.”
To watch or examine something carefully.
When the class returned on Monday, it was evident that something had happened to their plant. Its leaves were drooping, the soil was dry, and several leaves had turned brown. What can you infer?
The plant probably did not receive enough water.
The temperature has steadily decreased throughout the day. Water in a shallow container outside is beginning to form ice around the edges. What will most likely happen if the temperature continues to decrease?
More or all of the water will freeze.
What does this sentence mean?
“The tiny seedlings were reaching their arms toward the sunlight.”
The plants were growing or bending toward the light.
Read and summarize:
Scientists observed a group of birds for several weeks. They noticed that the birds visited feeders more frequently when natural food was difficult to find.
Scientists found that birds used feeders more often when natural food was limited.
What does scarce mean?
“After months without rain, water became scarce. The small pond nearly disappeared, and animals had difficulty finding enough to drink.”
Limited, insufficient, or difficult to find.
Scientists noticed a gradual decrease in the number of frogs living near a pond. They also discovered that the pond contained more pollution each year. What can you infer?
The increasing pollution may be contributing to the decrease in the frog population.
A population of rabbits rapidly increases, but the amount of available food remains limited. What will most likely happen over time?
Competition for food will increase, and the rabbit population may eventually decrease.
What does this mean?
“When the scientist finally discovered the mistake in her experiment, the answer was as clear as day.”
The answer became very obvious.
Read and summarize:
A pond became increasingly polluted over several years. As the water quality deteriorated, fewer fish and frogs were found there. Community members eventually worked together to clean the pond and prevent additional pollution.
Pollution harmed the pond's animal populations, so the community took action to improve the environment.
What does deteriorate mean?
“Without enough sunlight or water, the plant began to deteriorate. Its leaves turned brown, its stem weakened, and eventually it stopped growing.”
To become progressively worse.
A researcher claimed that plants grow equally well in darkness and sunlight. However, her results showed that the plants receiving sunlight grew significantly taller. What can you infer?
The evidence does not support the researcher's claim; sunlight appears to help the plants grow.
Scientists consistently observe that a certain insect disappears when temperatures become colder and returns when temperatures become warmer. What would you predict will happen next spring?
The insects will probably return when temperatures become warmer.
What does this sentence mean?
“The approaching storm swallowed the blue sky.”
The storm clouds gradually covered the clear sky.
Read and summarize:
Students wanted to determine which material was the best insulator. They wrapped identical cups in different materials and measured the water temperature every ten minutes. The cup wrapped in wool remained warm the longest.
Students compared materials and found that wool was the most effective at keeping the water warm.
What does contradict mean?
“Leo predicted that the covered ice cube would melt faster. However, the results contradicted his prediction because the uncovered ice cube melted first.”
To show the opposite of or be inconsistent with something.
Two islands have the same type of bird. On Island A, most birds have short beaks and eat small seeds. On Island B, where small seeds are scarce, most birds have longer, stronger beaks and eat large seeds. What can you infer?
The birds' beaks may be suited to the types of food available in their environments.
A forest loses a significant number of trees. Those trees provided food and shelter for several animal species. Predict a possible long-term consequence.
Some animal populations may decrease or move elsewhere because there is less food and shelter available.
Explain this metaphor:
“Every organism is a piece of the ecosystem's puzzle.”
Each organism has a role in the ecosystem and contributes to how the entire system functions.
Read and summarize:
Researchers noticed a significant decline in a butterfly population. They investigated several possible causes and discovered that much of the butterflies' habitat had disappeared. After native plants were restored, the butterfly population gradually began increasing.
Habitat loss caused the butterfly population to decline, but restoring native plants helped the population recover.
What does justify mean?
“The scientist could not simply state her conclusion. She had to justify it by using observations and data from the experiment.”
To support an idea or conclusion with reasons or evidence.