Inference Detectives (Suspect)
Alejandro walks into class with wet hair and a closed umbrella.
What can you infer happened?
Answer: It was raining outside.
Sentence Stem: I can infer that ___ because ___.
A paragraph explains how bees collect nectar and make honey.
What is the main idea?
Answer: Bees collect nectar and make honey.
Sentence Stem: The main idea is ___ because the paragraph mostly talks about ___.
A story shows a girl named Sofia practicing every day until she finally learns to ride her bike.
What is the theme?
Answer: Keep trying / Don’t give up.
Sentence Stem: The theme is ___ because the character ___.
The word gigantic means—
“The gigantic pumpkin was bigger than the table.”
What does gigantic mean?
Answer: Very big / huge.
Sentence Stem: Gigantic means ___ because the sentence says ___.
A paragraph tells how Julia plants a seed, waters it, and watches it grow.
Which sentence best summarizes the paragraph?
Answer: A girl named Julia plants a seed and takes care of it until it grows.
Sentence Stem: The best summary is ___ because it tells the big idea, not every detail.
Genesis kept checking the clock and tapping her foot while waiting at the door.
What can you infer about how she feels?
Answer: She is impatient or anxious.
Sentence Stem: I think she feels ___ because the text shows ___.
A passage describes three ways dogs help people: guiding, protecting, and comforting.
What is the main idea?
Answer: Dogs help people in different ways.
Sentence Stem: The main idea is ___ because the details show ___.
Aron shares his lunch with a new student who forgot hers.
What theme does this show?
Answer: Kindness / Helping others.
Sentence Stem: The theme is ___ because the character ___.
“The cat pounced on the toy as soon as it moved.”
Use the sentence to figure out what pounced means
Answer: Jumped on suddenly.
Sentence Stem: Pounced means ___ because the clue in the sentence is ___.
A story describes a boy named Kingston who loses his library book, searches everywhere, and finally finds it in his backpack.
What is the best summary?
Answer: A boy loses his book, searches for it, and finds it in his backpack.
Sentence Stem: The summary is ___ because it includes the beginning, middle, and end.
The author writes: “The puppy hid under the table when the thunder boomed.”
What can you infer about the puppy?
Answer: The puppy is scared of thunder.
Sentence Stem: The puppy is probably ___ because ___.
A paragraph tells how tornadoes form and what they can do to buildings.
What is the main idea?
Answer: How tornadoes form and what they do.
Sentence Stem: The paragraph is mostly about ___ because ___.
Two friends, Harmoni and Majsa argue but learn to listen to each other and solve the problem.
What theme fits this story?
Answer: Cooperation / Communication.
Sentence Stem: The theme is ___ because the friends ___.
“Anayah felt relieved when she found her lost backpack.”
What does relieved mean?
Answer: Happy or calm because a worry is gone.
Sentence Stem: Relieved means ___ because she felt that way when ___.
A passage explains how penguins care for their eggs and protect their chicks.
What is the best summary?
Answer: Penguins protect their eggs and care for their chicks.
Sentence Stem: The best summary is ___ because it tells what the whole passage is about.
Armoni brought extra snacks, a flashlight, and a blanket to the backyard.
What can you infer he is planning to do?
Answer: He is planning to camp or sleep outside.
Sentence Stem: I infer he is going to ___ because he brought ___.
A passage explains why exercise is important and gives examples like running, biking, and swimming.
What is the main idea?
Answer: Exercise is important for staying healthy.
Sentence Stem: The main idea is ___ because the examples show ___.
Yaretzi lies about finishing her homework and gets caught.
What theme does this teach?
Answer: Honesty is important.
Sentence Stem: The theme is ___ because the character learns ___.
“The desert is an arid place with very little water.”
What does arid mean?
Answer: Very dry.
Sentence Stem: Arid means ___ because the sentence tells us ___.
A story shows Francisco's team practicing, losing a game, practicing more, and finally winning.
What is the best summary?
Answer: A team practices, loses, practices more, and finally wins.
Sentence Stem: The summary is ___ because it shows the important events.
Nathan says, “I guess I’ll just try again tomorrow,” after failing to make the team.
What can you infer about Nathan’s attitude?
Answer: Nathan is determined and doesn’t give up.
Sentence Stem: This shows the character is ___ because ___.
A paragraph describes Rosa Parks’ actions, the bus boycott, and how it changed laws.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Answer: Rosa Parks’ actions helped change unfair laws.
Sentence Stem: The main idea is ___ because the paragraph explains ___.
Layani keeps failing at building a model airplane but refuses to quit.
What theme is shown in the story?
Answer: Perseverance / Never give up.
Sentence Stem: The theme is ___ because the character keeps ___.
"Mrs. Perkins said the directions were precise, so we had to follow them exactly.”
What does precise mean?
Answer: Exact or very accurate.
Sentence Stem: Precise means ___ because the sentence says we must ___.
A nonfiction passage describes volcanoes: how they form, what happens during an eruption, and how scientists study them.
What is the best summary of the passage?
Answer: Volcanoes form, erupt, and are studied by scientists.
Sentence Stem: The best summary is ___ because it includes the main ideas only.