Making Inferences
This is an educated guess based on text evidence and what you already know.
Inference
A comparison of two unlike things using like or as.
Simile
This term means how an author creates and describes a character.
characterization
“My backpack weighs as much as an elephant!” Is this sentence meant to be understood literally? Is it a simile or metaphor?
No. It is figurative language. Simile.
What is the largest planet in our solar system?
Jupiter
This term means what a reader already knows about the topic of a text.
Background Knowledge
A comparison of two unlike things that does NOT use like or as.
Metaphor
These are personality qualities based on what someone does, thinks, or says.
character traits
Sofia notices her friend sitting alone with her head down. Without being asked, Sofia sits beside her and asks if she's okay. What trait does Sofia demonstrate?
Caring, compassionate, thoughtful, or kind (answers will vary)
How many sides does an octagon have?
8
The text says, “Liam grabbed his umbrella and rain boots before leaving the house.” What can you infer about the weather?
It is raining or likely to rain.
“The lake was as smooth as glass.” What type of figurative language is being used?
Simile
“Even after failing the audition twice, Keisha practiced every evening and signed up to audition again.” What character trait does Keisha demonstrate?
Determined/persistent (answers will vary)
“The hallway was a river of students rushing toward the doors.” Is this a simile or metaphor, and what does it mean?
Metaphor; many students were moving quickly through the hallway.
What is the only mammal capable of true flight?
A bat
Maya walks into the kitchen and sees flour on the counter, an empty egg carton, and a cake pan in the sink. What can she reasonably infer?
Someone has been baking/making a cake.
“The classroom was a zoo after the teacher stepped into the hallway.” Identify the figurative language and explain what it means.
Metaphor; it means the classroom became loud, wild, or chaotic.
Dylan sees a classmate drop $10 without noticing. Dylan picks it up, runs after him, and returns it. Identify a character trait AND the evidence that supports it.
Honest/trustworthy; he returned money he could have kept.
When Carlos enters the room, everyone suddenly stops talking. Two students quickly hide something behind their backs. Carlos's birthday is tomorrow. What can Carlos infer? What evidence supports it?
They may be planning/hiding a birthday surprise. Evidence includes everyone becoming quiet, hiding something, and his birthday being tomorrow
Which country gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States?
France
As the teacher returned the tests, Andy stared at his desk. When his paper landed in front of him, he quickly flipped it over before anyone could see it. What can you infer about Andy? Give one piece of evidence.
He may be embarrassed, disappointed, or worried about his grade. Evidence: he avoids looking up and hides the test.
Read both sentences:
A. “The snow was a white blanket covering the town.”
B. “The snow covered the town like a white blanket.”
What type of figurative language is used in each sentence, and how do you know?
A is a metaphor because it compares the snow to a blanket without using like or as.
B is a simile because it compares the snow to a blanket using like.
Which is a character trait: tall, nervous, determined, or blue-eyed?
Determined
“The final lap was a mountain, but Nia refused to stop. Her legs felt like jelly as she pushed toward the finish line.” Name one character trait Nia demonstrates AND identify one example of figurative language.
Trait: determined/persistent. Figurative language: “The final lap was a mountain” = metaphor OR “legs felt like jelly” = simile.
What is the largest organ of the human body?
Skin