Draw inferences from a text
key notes:
Authors don’t always tell you everything in a story. So, you may need to make guesses, or inferences, about what happens and why.
To make an inference, look at what the text tells you. Then, ask yourself these questions:
- Why might the characters act, look, think or feel the way they do?
- What could have caused the scene or situation described in the text?
Learn with an example
🐵Read the text.
Tiffany walked into the dining hall and discovered Pip on the floor. Next to him, there was an empty tray and a puddle of milk. Bits of cereal were scattered across the floor.
🐵Based on the text,
which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Pip has fallen down.
- Pip is a fast eater.
Look at what the text tells you:
Tiffany walked into the dining hall and discovered Pip on the floor. Next to him, there was an empty tray and a puddle of milk. Bits of cereal were scattered across the floor.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might the tray be empty and the food scattered on the floor?
Maybe the tray fell to the ground.
Why might Pip be sitting on the dining hall floor?
Pip probably fell, too.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Pip has fallen down.
🐵Read the text.
When Michael arrived home, his stepmother asked him how his maths test had gone. Michael’s eyes brightened. A smile appeared on his face, and he began talking in a rush.
🐵Based on the text,
which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Michael did well on his test.
- Michael thinks he got a bad mark.
Look at what the text tells you:
When Michael arrived home, his stepmother asked him how his maths test had gone. Michael’s eyes brightened. A smile appeared on his face, and he began talking in a rush.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might Michael brighten and begin to smile?
Michael is probably happy.
Why might Michael be happy when he is talking about his maths test?
Maybe Michael is proud of how he did on the test.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Michael did well on his test.
🐵Read the text.
Eloise noticed the books as soon as she walked into Beth’s room. Tall shelves filled with books lined the walls. It looked more like a library than someone’s bedroom, Eloise thought.
🐵Based on the text,
which sentence is more likely to be true?
- Beth loves books.
- Beth’s favourite author is Roald Dahl.
Look at what the text tells you:
Eloise noticed the books as soon as she walked into Beth’s room. Tall shelves filled with books lined the walls. It looked more like a library than someone’s bedroom, Eloise thought.
Ask yourself questions about the text:
Why might Eloise notice the books?
She probably notices the books because the room is filled with them.
Why might Beth have so many books?
Maybe she really enjoys reading them.
Based on these clues, you can guess that Beth loves books.
let’s practice!
