Draw inferences from a text
key notes :
Authors don’t always tell you everything in a story. So, you may need to make guesses, or inferences, about what happens and why.
To make an inference, look at what the text tells you. Then, ask yourself these questions:
- Why might the characters act, look, think or feel the way they do?
- What could have caused the scene or situation described in the text?
Learn with an example
🔥Read the text.
Laura has always liked being outside. She loves hiking long trails, climbing steep rocks and exploring dark caves. Laura dreams that someday she’ll become a pilot and travel to places like Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands.
🔥Based on the text, which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Laura enjoys adventure.
- Laura is training for the Olympics.
Look at what the text tells you:
Laura has always liked being outside. She loves hiking long trails, climbing steep rocks and exploring dark caves. Laura dreams that someday she’ll become a pilot and travel to places like Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might Laura like hiking and rock climbing?
Maybe she thinks they are exciting.
Why might Laura want to travel to Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands?
Maybe she likes to go to interesting, faraway places.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Laura enjoys adventure.
🔥Read the text.
‘What can we give Mum?’ asked Frank.
‘We can’t afford something expensive,’ said Becky, ‘so maybe we could make breakfast for her or clean the house.’
‘Shh, here she comes!’ whispered Frank.
🔥Based on the text, which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Frank and Becky are planning a gift for their mother.
- Frank and Becky like to cook breakfast.
Look at what the text tells you:
‘What can we give Mum?’ asked Frank.
‘We can’t afford something expensive,’ said Becky, ‘so maybe we could make breakfast for her or clean the house.’
‘Shh, here she comes!’ whispered Frank.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might Frank ask Becky, ‘What can we give Mum?’
Maybe they want to buy Mum a gift.
Why might Frank say ‘Shh, here she comes!’ when he’s talking to Becky?
Maybe he doesn’t want his mum to hear their plans.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Frank and Becky are planning a gift for their mother.
🔥Read the text.
Noreen threw her swimming costume and sandals on top of the clothes in her tightly packed suitcase. She checked that she had her flight tickets and sunglasses. She was ready to go.
🔥Based on the text, which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Noreen is going someplace warm.
- Noreen is going to miss her flight.
Look at what the text tells you:
Noreen threw her swimming costume and sandals on top of the clothes in her tightly packed suitcase. She checked that she had her flight tickets and sunglasses. She was ready to go.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might Noreen pack a swimming costume and sandals?
Maybe she is going somewhere with a beach or a pool.
Why might Noreen take sunglasses?
She is probably going somewhere sunny.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Noreen is going someplace warm.
let’s practice!
Read the text.
Tara has always liked being outside. She loves hiking long trails, climbing steep rocks and exploring dark caves. Tara dreams that someday she’ll become a pilot and travel to places like Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands.