Making Inferences — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1. Sort each statement as an INFERENCE (uses clues) or a FACT (said in text).
Fact from text
Text: 'Max held a wet umbrella.' Statement: Max held an umbrella.Text: 'Lily ate her cereal.' Statement: Lily ate cereal.Text: 'Ben packed his swim trunks.' Statement: Ben packed swim trunks. Inference
Text: 'Max held a wet umbrella.' Statement: It was raining outside.Text: 'Lily ate her cereal.' Statement: It was morning time.Text: 'Ben packed his swim trunks.' Statement: Ben is going swimming. Facts are stated. Inferences are figured out using clues plus what you know.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A smart guess you make using clues from the text is called an inference.
An inference is a conclusion we reach by using clues and what we already know.
2. Something the text says directly is called a fact.
A fact is stated clearly in the text, so you do not need to guess.
3. If Tim puts on a coat, hat, and mittens, we can infer the weather is cold.
Coats, hats, and mittens are clues that the weather is chilly or cold.
4. Good readers act like detectives and look for clues in a story.
Detectives use clues to figure things out, and so do good readers.
5. If the ground is wet and the sky is gray, we can infer it just rained.
Wet ground plus gray sky are clues that point to recent rain.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. An inference must match the clues in the text.
True False
A good inference always fits the clues from the story.
2. A fact is a guess you make.
True False
A fact is something the text says directly. A guess is an inference.
3. Readers can use what they already know to help make inferences.
True False
Inferences use text clues plus your own knowledge of the world.
4. Inferences are always wrong.
True False
Good inferences that match the clues are usually correct.