Making Inferences

Goal Work out what the writer suggests but doesn't say directly. INFERENCE = clues in the text + what you already know = a reasonable conclusion.

EXAMPLE

"Jacob stared at the floor. His report card was still in his bag, unopened,
and he hadn't touched his dinner."
The text doesn't say Jacob is worried, but the clues (staring at the floor,
hiding the report card, not eating) suggest he is nervous about his results.

HOW TO WRITE AN INFERENCE ANSWER

"The writer suggests that ... because ..." + a quote or detail as evidence.
"The writer suggests Jacob is anxious about his results because he leaves his
report card 'unopened' and hasn't eaten."

DON'T GO TOO FAR

An inference must be supported by the text. "Jacob failed every subject" goes
too far -- we don't know that.

PRACTICE

"Mrs Hill looked at the clock for the third time, tapping her pen. The empty seat
in the front row stayed empty."
What can you infer? Give evidence.

Show sample answer

Mrs Hill is impatient or worried because a student is late or
absent -- she keeps checking the clock and tapping her pen, and a seat is empty.

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