Making Inferences — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Mia grabbed her umbrella, so it must be sunny outside.
Corrected: Mia grabbed her umbrella, so it must be rainy outside.
The corrected sentence is: "Mia grabbed her umbrella, so it must be rainy outside.". The original sentence "Mia grabbed her umbrella, so it must be sunny outside." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
The dog wagged its tail and jumped up, so the dog must be scared.
Corrected: The dog wagged its tail and jumped up, so the dog must be happy.
The corrected sentence is: "The dog wagged its tail and jumped up, so the dog must be happy.". The original sentence "The dog wagged its tail and jumped up, so the dog must be scared." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
Dad put on oven mitts and opened the oven, so the food must be frozen.
Corrected: Dad put on oven mitts and opened the oven, so the food must be hot.
The corrected sentence is: "Dad put on oven mitts and opened the oven, so the food must be hot.". The original sentence "Dad put on oven mitts and opened the oven, so the food must be frozen." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Sara yawned three times and rubbed her eyes. Sara is probably tired.
Yawning and rubbing eyes are clues that Sara is tired. Using these text clues and what you already know helps you make an inference.
2. The ground was white and the air was freezing. It must have snowed.
White ground and freezing air are clues that it snowed. You use what you know about winter weather to make this inference.
3. Ben smiled when he saw the grade on his test. He probably did well.
Smiling at a test grade is a clue that Ben did well. People usually smile when they are happy with their results.
4. The kitten hid under the bed during the storm. The kitten felt scared.
Hiding under the bed during a storm is a clue that the kitten felt scared. Animals often hide when they are frightened.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. An inference is a guess based on clues from the text and what you already know.
True False
An inference combines text clues with your prior knowledge to figure out something the author did not say directly.
2. You can only make an inference if the author says the answer directly.
True False
An inference is made when the answer is NOT stated directly. You use clues and prior knowledge to figure it out.
3. Text clues are details in a story that help you figure things out.
True False
Text clues are specific details the author includes that help readers make inferences about what is happening.