Inferring
Inference is not said directly. You need to use the clues in the text to to answer the questions.
Activity taken from ‘Key into Inference’
LI: to make connections between what we know and what we read
Your Task:
Who... (You are looking for who was involved):
The woman put her baby to bed.
Who was the woman? The Mother
Sara told the swimming team to be at practice on time.
Who is Sara. The Coach
Miss Chan was sitting at her desk waiting for my homework.
Who is Mrs Chan? The Teacher
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Why... (You are looking for why something happened):
Even standing on tip-toes Leon was the only one who couldn’t reach the cookie jar.
Why couldn’t Leon reach the cookie jar? Because he was short
The child covered its ears every time the washing machine was turned on.
Why did the child cover its ears? Because it was noisy
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What... (You are looking for what happened):
The only noise in the room was the rustle of paper whenever Tom turned a page.
What was Tom doing? Tom was reading
It was the smell of burning bacon which finally drew his attention back to what he should have been doing.
What should he have been doing? Paying attention on the bacon
It fell through the night unseen and unheard and by morning the ground was white.
What fell through the night? Snow fell through the night
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Where… (You are looking for where they were):
The bell rang and the children ran inside.
Where is this happening? School
Emma could see twenty large passenger jets from all over the world.
Where was Emma? Airport
Debbie pushed the button and waited for the lights to change.
Where was Debbie? Traffic Lights.
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Inference Evaluation:
What is inference?
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
What helped you find your answers? By the questions giving me the clues.
What have you learned?
Understanding the questions and what inference mean
What did you find hard? Describing the questions
Mixed Questions:
These questions will use all of the ‘W’ words you practised above.
A handy hint is to read the text then highlight the ‘W’ word in the question. Then re-read the text again, this time looking for what the question is asking you to find
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When the teacher asked Nathan why he was late for school, Nathan pointed to his bandaged toe.
Why was Nathan late for school? Nathan was late to school because he has an injured toe.
Tears ran down the baby’s face. The noise filled the house. A full bottle lay dripping on the floor.
What was the noise? The noise was the baby crying which filled the house.
Why was it happening? Because the baby dropped the full bottle on the floor and couldn’t get it.
Dillon stood with his head down. His father had come out of the house and was standing in front of him holding the ball. He was pointing at the pieces of glass on the ground.
“You are going to have to pay for it this time,” he said.
What had Dillon done? Dillon dropped the glass cup.
Had he done it before? No. How do you know that? Because Dillon wouldn’t have been sad if he done it before.
They snarled and showed their teeth as they approached each other. There was no turning back for either of them; this would decide which one would lead the pack from now on.
What are they? They are wolves.
How were they going to decide who would be the leader of the pack? They are going to decide who would be the leader of the pack over a fight.
There was a glint of water. The bird stalled. Then, with flattened wings, it dived fifty meters into the sea.
What was the glint in the water? The glint in the water was fish.
To get to school, I had to cross three roads. The third road had a crossing and lights so it was the safest.
Did the first two roads that were crossed have crossings or lights? The first to roads had no crossings
How do you know this? Because it wasn’t safe for the kids to cross and get to school.
As the old man opened the door of the hut, the dog pushed his way past him and raced out. The man’s shouting and whistling made no difference.
Did the man want the dog to go out? No
How do you know this? Maybe the old man was going to feed the dog but the dog pushed him aside and ran away.
Did the dog come back when the man called? No
How do you know this? Because the old man was shouting and whistling but he didn’t respond because it made no difference.
As Jill worked, she hummed softly to herself. Just one bin to go and then she would start on the vacuuming. Things were going well. At this rate she would be home before her kids were up for breakfast.
What is Jill’s job? Jill’s work is being a maid.
AT what time of the day does she do her work? In the morning before her children wakes up.
The old bus bounced over the rickety bridge. There was a clatter as the engine cover flew off, hit railing and disappeared.
Why did the engine cover fly off? Because the bus was bouncing over the rickety bridge which makes the bus go up and down.
Where did the engine cover most likely disappear to? The engine cover disappeared into the water.
Kirsty was sitting alone. She had laughed when they were supposed to be quiet. She begged the teacher to let her sit with the group again.
Why was Kirsty sitting alone? Because she laughed so loud her friends moved away from her.
Did she like sitting alone? No
How do you know this? Because Kristy was begging to the teacher to sit with the group.
Inference Evaluation:
What helped you find your answers?
The clues in the questions made me get an idea for the answer.
What did you find easy?
Answering what the questions are telling me.
What do you still need help with?
Understanding what the question is telling me.
