Infer & Explain
The classroom was completely silent, except for the sound of pencils scratching on paper. The teacher paced slowly around the room, occasionally glancing at the clock. One student sighed and erased something several times.
Question:
What can you infer the students are doing, and what clues support your answer?
The students are likely taking a test or quiz. The silence, the sound of pencils writing, the teacher watching the clock, and the student erasing suggest a formal assessment is in progress.
Sentence: The blizzard caused the roads to become impassable, forcing schools to close for safety.
Q: What does impassable mean and how do you know?
What is blocked or unable to be crossed, because schools closed for safety.
Story: A boy learns the importance of telling the truth after his lies cause big problems for his friends.
Q: What is the theme?
What is honesty is important?
As Emma walked into the room, her shoulders slumped and her eyes focused on the floor. She avoided her friends and sat in the back corner, not saying a word all day.
Question:
What can you infer about how Emma is feeling? Explain your reasoning.
Emma is likely feeling sad, upset, or embarrassed. The clues — slumped shoulders, avoiding friends, sitting alone, and staying quiet — all suggest she’s not in her usual mood and may be experiencing negative emotions.
Over the past century, transportation has changed drastically. In the early 1900s, cars were rare and roads were unpaved. Today, we have electric cars, high-speed trains, and even self-driving vehicles. Technology continues to make travel faster and more efficient.
Question:
What is the text structure, and what clues helped you decide?
Compare and Contrast.
Explanation: The passage compares how transportation was in the past to how it is today, using signal words like “early 1900s” and “today.”
When Mia reached the front door, she froze. Her backpack slid off her shoulder as she stared at the porch. The package that was supposed to arrive today was missing, and the corner of an empty, torn box lay on the steps.
Question:
What can you infer happened, and why?
The package was likely stolen or tampered with. The empty, torn box suggests the contents were removed, and Mia’s frozen reaction shows surprise or worry upon discovering the package was gone.
Sentence: The artist’s work was so intricate that people spent hours studying each tiny detail.
Q: What does intricate mean and what clues helped you decide?
What is detailed or complicated, because of "tiny detail" and "studying for hours."
Story: Two sisters fight over a toy but realize that sharing makes them both happier.
Q: What is the theme?
What is sharing and cooperation lead to better relationships?
When Jason opened the fridge, he wrinkled his nose, stepped back quickly, and closed the door without taking anything out.
Question:
What can you infer about what Jason experienced?
The fridge likely smelled bad or something inside was spoiled. His physical reaction (wrinkling his nose and stepping back) shows he was reacting to an unpleasant smell.
Hurricanes are powerful storms that form over warm ocean waters. First, warm air rises and cools, causing clouds to form. Then, winds begin to spin around a center, creating a storm system. As the hurricane grows, it can cause severe damage to coastal areas.
Question:
What is the text structure, and how do you know?
Sequence/Chronological Order.
Explanation: The passage lists the events in the order they happen, using clue words like “first” and “then.”
The smell of fresh cookies filled the air, but when Emma opened the cookie jar, all that remained were a few crumbs. Her little brother sat nearby, looking guilty, with chocolate smudges on his face.
Question:
What can you infer happened, and what evidence supports your inference?
Emma’s little brother likely ate the cookies. The empty jar, the chocolate smudges on his face, and his guilty expression all point to him being the one who ate them.
Sentence: The hikers were perilously close to the edge when the wind grew stronger.
Q: What does perilously mean, and what clues help you infer that?
What is dangerously, because they were close to the edge and the wind increased risk.
Story: Despite failing many times, a young inventor refuses to give up until her machine finally works.
Q: What is the theme?
What is never give up or persistence pays off?
The trees bent sideways, windows rattled, and leaves swirled through the air. People hurried indoors, pulling their jackets tighter.
Question:
What can you infer about the weather, and how do you know?
There is likely a strong windstorm approaching or happening. The bending trees, rattling windows, swirling leaves, and people’s reactions (hurrying inside, tightening jackets) suggest powerful wind and potentially dangerous weather.
Plastic pollution in the oceans is harming marine animals every year. One way to solve this problem is to reduce single-use plastics, like straws and bags. Another solution is to recycle more and participate in beach cleanups to prevent trash from reaching the ocean.
Question:
What is the text structure, and what details support your answer?
Problem and Solution.
Explanation: The passage introduces a problem (plastic pollution) and suggests solutions (reducing plastic use, recycling, cleanups).
The playground was usually full of noise and laughter, but today the swings hung still, and the basketball lay untouched at the edge of the court. A single student sat on the bench, staring at the ground, while others gathered in small, quiet groups.
Question:
What can you infer about the mood on the playground today, and why?
The mood is likely sad, serious, or tense. The silence, still swings, and students gathering quietly instead of playing suggest something happened to affect everyone emotionally — possibly bad news or a shared loss.
Sentence: The class sat in anticipation as the teacher slowly revealed the winner of the contest.
Q: What does anticipation mean?
What is excitement or waiting eagerly for something.
Story: A lonely dog finally finds a loving family who accepts him as he is.
Q: What is the theme?
What is the importance of kindness and belonging?
Lily stared at the broken pieces on the floor. Her hands trembled as she tried to fit the pieces back together before her mom came home.
Question:
What can you infer about the situation and how Lily feels?
Lily accidentally broke something important (likely fragile and valuable) and is feeling anxious or scared about her parent’s reaction. The trembling hands and rushing to fix it before being caught suggest guilt and fear of consequences.
When a forest fire breaks out, animals flee the area to escape the flames. Firefighters work to control the blaze by creating firebreaks and using water to stop the spread. If the fire is not contained quickly, it can destroy wildlife habitats and even homes.
Question:
What is the text structure, and why?
Cause and Effect.
Explanation: The text explains a cause (forest fire breaks out) and its effects (animals flee, firefighters respond, destruction of habitats).
Ella carefully arranged the table with candles, plates, and silverware. She checked the clock every few minutes and smoothed the tablecloth again and again. Finally, she sat down and stared at the door, fidgeting with her hands.
Question:
What can you infer Ella is waiting for, and what details led you to your conclusion?
Ella is waiting for an important guest — likely someone special to her. Her actions (setting the table carefully, checking the clock, fidgeting, staring at the door) show anticipation and nervous excitement for their arrival.
Sentence: Her explanation was so ambiguous that nobody could figure out what she really meant.
Q: What does ambiguous mean, and how do you know?
What is unclear or confusing, because "nobody could figure it out."
Story: A boy stands up for a new student who is being bullied, even though it’s hard.
Q: What is the theme?
What is courage and standing up for others is the right thing to do?
When the coach announced the final team roster, Mike stared at the floor, slowly crumpling the paper in his hands before quietly walking away.
Question:
What can you infer about what happened to Mike, and how do you know?
Mike likely didn’t make the team. His body language (staring at the floor, crumpling the paper, walking away silently) shows disappointment or sadness.
Many people believe dogs are the best pets because they are loyal and loving. On the other hand, cat owners argue that cats are independent and easier to care for. Both animals bring joy to their owners, but their personalities and care needs are very different.
Question:
What is the text structure, and what clues helped you infer this?
Compare and Contrast.
Explanation: The passage compares the traits of dogs and cats, using clue words like "on the other hand," "both," and "different."