Inference 101
Jake and Time sat quietly next to each other, each thinking his own thoughts. Suddenly, the pole Jake was holding loosely in his hands jerked so hard, he nearly dropped it. "You got one!" exclaimed Time excitedly. "Reel him in slowly."
What did Jake have? How do you know?
A fish, because you use a pole to catch a fish and reel it in.
Kody packed his suitcase, snorkels, and sand bucket. Mom packed the sunscreen, towels, tickets, and her identification. They couldn't wait to get to their sunny destination and relax. First, they would have to arrive at least an hour early and go through security to get on their way.
Where are they going? How are they going to get there? How do you know?
On vacation because of the suitcase and somewhere on the beach. They would be taking an airplane because you need a ticket, id, and to go through security when you are flying somewhere.
It was her 16th birthday and she was so excited! She ran out the front door and saw the huge ribbon tied around her present. It was so awesome! It even had a sunroof just like she wanted.
What did the girl get for her birthday? How do you know?
She got a car and the clues are it's her 16th birthday, it was outside, and it had a sunroof.
A girl dragged her towel and tube on the road as she walked home from the swimming pool because she was too tired to carry it. She had swam really hard. The next time she went swimming, she went to get her tube and it was flat.
Why do you think it was flat?
Because she has to drag it down the road.
Rubin made a mental checklist: Do laundry. Go to supermarket and get groceries. Clean house. Fix hallway light. Change the bed sheets in guest room. Wrap presents. His parents were coming in the morning and he didn't know how he would get everything done.
What can you infer from this passage? What are the clues?
Robin is stressed out about getting everything done before his parents get there. Clues will vary
Jane knew she had to make this shot. The whole game depended on her. She dribbled the ball and threw it. She closed her eyes and hoped she made it!
What game is the girl playing? Is the score of the game close?
Basketball, the score is close because she said that she knew she needed to make this shot.
You went to school late because you had a dentist appointment. You showed up to your classroom and no one was there. Then you looked at the clock and saw it was around noon and then your tummy growled.
Where do you think your classmates were?
At lunch because it is 12 oclock and your stomach growled.
"Troy stuttered, blushed and shook as he addressed the crowd." He had spent hours preparing for what he would say. He held his speech in his hand. He was up against last years student council president.
What can you infer about Troy from this statement?
He is running for class president and he is about to give his speech in front of his classmates. He is very nervous.
A lady was growing tomatoes on her porch and was waiting for them to turn red so she could eat them. The neighbor kids liked to play on her porch because she had fun steps they could jump off of.
The tomatoes were almost ready to eat because they were orange and turning red. One more day was all they needed. The next day the lady came home and all the red tomatoes were gone.
What do you think happened to them?
The kids ate the tomatoes.
As the boys sat outside the principal's office, with torn shirts and muddy faces, they knew they were in trouble. Fighting was strictly against the rules. They would be so embarrassed to call their parents and tell them what they had done.
What would they have to tell their parents? Why were the boy's dirty? Why are the boy's at the office?
They were fighting outside during recess and had been sent to the office for the offense.
The mom straps her toddler into the car seat. She goes around and loads the sacks in the back. As she backs out and drives away, she looks into her rear view mirror and sees her toddler holding a shiny new hot wheels car. she immediately turns the car around and parks again. She talks sternly to her child as she unstraps him.
Where are they at? Why does she turn the car around? What did the child do that made the mom angry?
They were shopping at a store. The child stole a toy and the mom turns around to go return the toy.
Your sister was gone for three days on a snowboarding trip. You missed her so bad. You woke up and saw her sitting on the couch. Her leg was propped up and had a big pink cast on it.
What do you think happened?
She broke her leg on the snowboarding trip.
The sun was low in the sky. Kay's body ached. Blisters had formed on her hands. She set the rake down on the big pile of leaves and headed for home.
What can you infer from this passage?
Kay had worked a long time raking leaves. The clues are her body aching, blistered had formed on her hands, and she used a rake.
Carrie heard footsteps behind her. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She began to quicken her pace, hoping that whoever was following her wouldn't notice, but at last she gave in to a run.
What can you infer? What are your clues?
Carrie is afraid that someone is following her.
Lauren worried when she handed her mom her envelope. She carefully watched mom looking over the paper, and a feeling of relief swept over her and a smile spread across mom's face. Mom said "let's go get ice cream to celebrate!"
Why was Lauren worried? What paper was mom looking at? Why does mom want to go get ice cream?
She wasn't sure her grades were what her mom had expected. She was looking at her report card. Her mom was very proud of Lauren's grades.
White flakes fell from the sky and covered the roads. Lucy crawled out of bed and peeked out the window. She immediately turns the television on and looks down the alphabetical list, waiting patiently for the P's to appear. Her eyes lit up when she saw it listed. Then, she crawls back to bed and throws the covers over her head.
Why does Lucy turn on the TV? What is she looking for? What does she find out?
She is looking to see if school is canceled and it is so she goes back to bed.
We watched as the engines roared, but they remained still. They were all lined up in a straight line waiting to accelerate. Each believing that they could win. A man stood close to the track waving a flag and off they went.
Where are they at? How do you know?
They are at the races. The clues are the engines roared, waiting to accelerate, each believing they could win, and the man with the flag.
As usual, Jim left for school ten minutes later than he should have. His shoelaces were untied and his backpack was unzipped. He had traveled only one block when he heard his mother shout his name. He looked back and saw her waving his brown bag lunch.
What can you infer from this passage? What are the clues?
Jim is disorganized and forgetful. The clues are his shoe laces were untied and his back pack unzipped. His mom had to call him back to get his lunch that he had forgotten.
Today is the day you get your grades. Your mom promised you and your brother that if you got all A’s and B’s, she would take you skating. You got your grades and you did well. Now you just had to see what your brother got.
As you were walking to meet your brother after school, he was looking at the ground and walking really slow.
What kind of grades do you think your brother got and how do you know?
He did not get good grades. You can tell he is upset because it he is walking slowly with his head down.
Rachel climbed under the covers and got out her flashlight. she snuck out her book and began to read. Before she knew it, the clock read 11pm! As she heard her mom walking toward her room, she quickly turned off her light and pretended to snore. Why did Rachel use a flashlight? How did Rachel feel about what she was reading? Why did she pretend to snore?
She didn't want her parents to know that she was awake past her bedtime. She couldn't wait to see what happened next in her book.
"Ohhh, Ahh!" said the boys. As another one sparkled in the sky, they jumped up with excitement, "Boom!" They waited patiently for the grand exit when colors zoomed across the sky and loud noises filled the air. Then, they gathered their belongings and walked to their car.
Where are they? How do you know?
The fireworks show. Boom, colors in the sky, loud noises, are all text clues.
My palms are sweating, my heart is racing, and my pencil broke. I raise my hand hoping not to disrupt anyone else. I look at the clock and time seems to be racing by. I have to do my best!
Where am I ? What am I doing?
In the classroom taking an important test.
He walks in the door toting his heavy backpack and waits in line to get his pass. Then, he is moving in and out of all the people as he makes his way to his destination. The room is empty as he hurriedly puts his things away.
Where is the boy? What can you infer after reading this?
He is late for school. Some of the clues are getting the tag, his back pack, and the room being empty.
Make up your own scenario and have the rest of the students infer.
Various answers