Make predictions about a story
key notes :
A prediction is a best guess about the future. As you read, try to make predictions about what will happen next. Then, see if your prediction was right. Making predictions helps you check your understanding of the story.
A good prediction should match what you already know about the story. To make good predictions, pay attention to these clues:
- How the characters and events are described
- How the characters think and feel
- What the characters say and do
- What the author says will happen
- What the story is about
Learn with an example
🔥Read this passage from a story.
Nancy and Jessica were walking home from school. ‘Do you want to come over to my house and do homework together?’ Jessica asked. Nancy often went to Jessica’s house after school. Nancy walked slowly, thinking about it.
‘Um, maybe,’ Nancy said. Nancy was hungry. She thought about all the snacks in her kitchen at home.
‘I’m hungry. We can have biscuits and milk for a snack,’ said Jessica. Biscuits were Nancy’s favourite.
🔥Based on the passage, which is more likely to happen next?
- Nancy and Jessica eat biscuits for a snack.
- Nancy goes to Jessica’s house.
Think about what happens in the story:
Nancy often goes to Jessica’s house after school.
This tells you that Nancy likes to go to Jessica’s house.
Jessica offers Nancy biscuits, and Nancy likes biscuits.
This suggests that Nancy has another reason to go to Jessica’s house.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that Nancy goes to Jessica’s house.
🔥Read this passage from a story.
Lexie walked slowly along the beach. She liked to feel the sand between her toes, but she didn’t really like to swim. She missed her friend Maggie. They had spent the past three days playing on the beach and collecting things. Maggie loved sea glass most of all. Today, Maggie had gone shopping with her family, but she would be back on the beach tomorrow. Lexie spotted a light green piece of sea glass on the sand.
🔥Based on the passage, which is more likely to happen next?
- Lexie picks up the sea glass for Maggie.
- Lexie throws the sea glass into the water.
Think about what happens in the story:
Lexie misses her new friend Maggie.This tells you that Lexie is thinking about Maggie.
Maggie collects sea glass.This suggests that Maggie likes sea glass.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that Lexie picks up the sea glass for Maggie.
🔥Read this passage from a story.
‘Beavers can knock down whole trees. They chew the wood at the bottom of the tree with their strong teeth. This weakens the tree’s base and makes the tree easier to knock over,’ Mr Evans said. Scarlett and Keith followed their science teacher further into the woods. Soon, Mr Evans and his students found a beaver’s home.
‘Wow, little beavers built that big thing?’ Scarlett asked.
‘Hey, look!’ Keith shouted. He pointed to a tree that was chewed up near the bottom. He walked over and put his hand on the tree.
‘Watch out!’ yelled Mr Evans.
🔥Based on the passage, which is more likely to happen next?
- Keith and Scarlett leave the woods.
- The tree that Keith touched falls down.
Think about what happens in the story:
Mr Evans explains that beavers knock down trees by chewing them at the bottom.This tells you that trees that have been chewed by beavers can fall down.
Keith touches the tree that has been chewed.This suggests that Keith may knock down the tree.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that the tree that Keith touched falls down.
let’s practice!
Read this passage from a story.
‘Beavers can knock down whole trees. They chew the wood at the bottom of the tree with their strong teeth. This weakens the tree’s base and makes the tree easier to knock over,’ Mr Campbell said. Bethany and Gavin followed their science teacher further into the woods. Soon, Mr Campbell and his students found a beaver’s home.
‘Wow, little beavers built that big thing?’ Bethany asked.
‘Hey, look!’ Gavin shouted. He pointed to a tree that was chewed up near the bottom. He walked over and put his hand on the tree.
‘Watch out!’ yelled Mr Campbell.