Inference Detectives
What does it mean to "make an inference"?
Using clues + background knowledge to figure out what is not directly stated.
What is the difference between theme and main idea?
Theme = lesson/message; Main idea = what it’s mostly about.
The wind howled in the night. → What type of figurative language?
Personification.
Correct this: They was running late.
They were running late.
Define prefix.
A word part added at the beginning to change meaning.
She slammed the door and threw her backpack on the floor. What can you infer about her mood?
She is angry or frustrated.
Which theme fits this fable: The fox gave up trying to reach the grapes.
Answer varies: The theme is don't give up.
Define simile and give an example.
Comparison using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., fast as lightning)
Choose correct punctuation: When I get home I’ll eat dinner.
When I get home, I’ll eat dinner.
What does ‘pre-’ mean in preview?
Before.
Read this paragraph → infer why the character didn’t answer the phone.
The phone rang loudly on the table beside Maria. She glanced at the caller ID, her stomach tightening when she saw the familiar number. Her hand hovered over the receiver for a moment, but then she pulled it back and stared out the window instead. The ringing eventually stopped, leaving the room in heavy silence.
She was avoiding someone / busy / didn’t want to talk.
Maria’s soccer team lost every game of the season. At first, she wanted to quit. But instead of giving up, Maria went to practice early, stayed late, and worked on her footwork at home. The next year, her team made it to the finals. Even though they didn’t win the championship, Maria was proud of how far they had come.
What theme is suggested?
The theme is to not give up on yourself and to keep trying.
The king was a lion in battle.
What is the figurative language and why?
Metaphor, the king is being compared to a lion without using like or as
Identify the fragment:
A) The dog barked.
B) Running through the park.
B is a fragment.
Use context: The ominous clouds made her nervous. What does ominous mean?
Threatening or scary.
Infer how the setting influences the character’s decision in this excerpt.
The sun had nearly disappeared behind the mountains, and long shadows stretched across the narrow trail. Emma glanced at the darkening sky and tightened her grip on the map. She had planned to keep hiking until she reached the next campsite, but the rustling of leaves and the distant howl of a coyote made her stop. The forest felt different at night—less welcoming, more uncertain. Taking a deep breath, Emma decided to turn back toward the ranger station before it grew completely dark.
The environment affects choices (example varies)
The setting influences Emma’s decision because the forest is getting dark and feels unsafe at night. The shadows, coyote sounds, and the changing atmosphere make her feel nervous, so she decides to turn back to the ranger station instead of continuing on the trail. The setting created fear and uncertainty, which changed her choice.
A student cheats on a test and feels guilty afterward.
A boy refuses to share his toys and ends up with no one to play with.
Compare the themes of these examples.
Break a leg!
A piece of cake.
I am on a roll!
These are all examples of what type of figiurative language? Why?
They are all idioms because they don't mean what it literally says.
Fix the misplaced modifier: She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.
She served the children sandwiches on paper plates.
The root ‘scrib/script’ means write. What does inscription mean?
Words written or carved.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What type of job does Paul do?
Paul is a garbage man.
James saw a wallet lying on the sidewalk. He picked it up and noticed a stack of money inside. For a moment, he thought about keeping it. Then he saw a picture of a family tucked behind the bills. James turned the wallet in to the police station, hoping it would find its way back to its owner.
Write a theme statement.
James ended up doing the right thing by turning the wallet into the police station. Theme: Always do what you know is right.
Explain how sensory language adds imagery.
Helps readers picture the scene vividly.
Revise this sentence for clarity.
me and my friend was going to the store but we seen it was closed.
My friend and I were going to the store, but we saw that it was closed.
Explain how context helps determine meaning of an underlined word.
Varies; must use surrounding words.