Inferring

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Inferring

• The most natural thing to do.

2
The AWESOME INFERENCE

• Most people are pretty good at figuring out
  mysteries.
• If you arent you might have trouble answering
  inference questions.
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

3
Whats an inference?

• Inference means
• reading all the clues and making your best guess.
  You will be surprised at how easy inference can
  be.
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

4
Hidden Messages or Implications

• Sometimes someone will try to tell you something
  without coming right out and saying it.
• S/He will imply it.
• When you understand what is implied, you infer.
• Sometimes you can infer the truth even when the
  speaker or writer isnt trying to be helpful.
• Thats called reading between the lines.
• Read the following paragraph then choose the best
  answer . . .
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

5
Tommy John were hot and sweaty . . .

• Tommy and John were hot and sweaty as they sat
  outside the principals office. Dirt smeared
  both of their faces, and they could hear their
  teachers voice as she gave Mr. Jones her account
  of what had happened. Tommy sneered at John, and
  John returned the angry glare. As Miss Brown
  left Mr. Jones office, the boys hung their heads
  so they wouldnt have to look her in the eye.
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

6
From this paragraph you can infer that,

• Tommy and John had disappointed their teacher
• Tommy and John are sworn enemies
• The principal, known for being hard on students,
  would yell at them both
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

7
A is the correct answer

• How do we know that?
• Lets look at the clues

8
The Clues

• We know the boys were mad at each other, because
  Tommy sneered at John and John returned the angry
  glare.
• We can guess that they had been fighting, because
  dirt smeared both of their faces, and they were
  sitting outside the principals office. The
  biggest clue is in the last sentence the boys
  hung their heads so they wouldnt have to look
  her in the eye. They had disappointed their
  teacher.
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html

9
Why are the other two answers wrong?

• Well, reread the paragraph. It does not say that
  the boys were best friends, but it doesnt say
  they were NOT best friends either. We dont
  really know. All we know about the principal is
  that his name is Mr. Jones. He might be a nice
  guy, but the paragraph doesnt give us a clue
  about what kind of person he is.
• The only answer we can infer is that the boys
  felt that they had disappointed their teacher,
  because they didnt want to look her in the eye.
• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html
• Lets try some more . . . ?

10
In your groups . . .

• Everyone read the item, and
• then mark your answer on your own.
• Then you will talk about it when I tell you to.
• We will review them all after we are done going
  through them all.

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1. Turner almost wished . . .

• Turner almost wished that he hadnt listened to
  the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his
  umbrella. He would feel silly carrying it to the
  bus stop on such a sunny morning.
• Which probably happened?
• Turner realized that he had an unnatural fear of
  falling radio parts.
• Turner had promised himself to do something silly
  that morning.
• Turner had heard a weather forecast that
  predicted rain.
• Turner planned to trade his umbrella for a bus
  ride.
• http//rhlschool.com/read6n3.htm

12
C is the correct answer

• How do we know that?
• Lets talk about it . . .

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2. Larry, as your boss. I must say . . .

• Larry, as your boss, I must say its been very
  interesting working with you, Miss Valdez said.
  However, it seems that our companys needs and
  your performance style are not well matched.
  Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask
  you to resign your position effective today.
• What was Miss Valdez telling Larry?
• She would feel really bad if he decided to quit.
• He was being fired.
• He was getting a raise in pay.
• She really enjoyed having him in the office.
• http//rhlschool.com/read6n3.htm

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B is the correct answer

• How do we know that?
• Lets look at the clues

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3. No, Honey. I dont want you . . .

• No, Honey, I dont want you to spend a lot of
  money on my birthday present. Just having you for
  a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, Ill
  just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to
  the mall and buy myself a little present. And if
  the poor old car doesn't break down, Ill be back
  soon.
• What is the message?
• I dont want a gift.
• Buy me a new car.
• The mall is fun.
• Ill carry a bucket for you.
• http//rhlschool.com/read6n3.htm

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B is the correct answer

• How do we know that?
• Lets talk about it . . .

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4. Bill Jessica

• Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns
  choosing the players for their teams. It was
  Jessicas turn to choose, and only Kurt was
  left. Jessica said, Kurt.
• We can infer that ________
• Kurt is not a very good player.
• Jessica was pleased to have Kurt on her team.
• Kurt was the best player on either team.
• Jessica was inconsiderate of Kurts feelings.
• http//rhlschool.com/read6n3.htm

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A is the correct answer

• How do we know that?
• Lets look at the clues

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Sources

• http//masseyboggan.tripod.com/id11.html
• http//rhlschool.com/read6n3.htm