Make predictions about a story
key notes:
A prediction is a best guess about the future. As you read, try to make predictions about what will happen next. Then, see if your prediction was right. Making predictions helps you check your understanding of the story.
A good prediction should match what you already know about the story. To make good predictions, pay attention to these clues:
- How the characters and events are described
- How the characters think and feel
- What the characters say and do
- What the author says will happen
- What the story is about
Learn with an example
🐵Read this passage from a story.
Curt started to fall asleep on his straw bed in the barn loft. Being a farmhand was hard work, but he was happy to have a job. Farmer Lexie was the best boss he’d ever had.
He thought about the farm. The chickens were safely in their house. The cows were in the barn. He heard a gate banging in the wind. Uh-oh! Did he leave the gate to the horses’ stable open?
🐵Based on the passage,
which is more likely to happen next?
- Curt gets up to see if the gate is closed.
- Curt gets up to thank Farmer Lexie for his job.
Think about what happens in the story:
- Curt is happy to have a job as a farmhand.
- This tells you that Curt likes his job and wants to do it well.
- Curt worries that the gate to the horses’ stable is open.
- This suggests that Curt is worried about the horses in the stable.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that Curt gets up to see if the gate is closed.
🐵Read this passage from a story.
Timothy was glad it was Friday night. He didn’t have any homework. His parents said he could stay up as long as he wanted. Timothy yawned and looked around his room. He could draw some comics. Or he could listen to music. Or he could read a book. Timothy lay down on his bed. His room was so quiet, and his bed was so comfortable. He closed his eyes for a second.
🐵Based on the passage,
which is more likely to happen next?
- Timothy goes to sleep.
- Timothy draws some comics.
Think about what happens in the story:
Timothy yawns.
This tells you that even though Timothy is allowed to stay up late, he may be too tired to do so.
Timothy feels comfortable in bed, and he closes his eyes.
This suggests that he feels like resting.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that Timothy goes to sleep.
🐵Read this passage from a story.
Three bells rang softly. “I know what that means,” Eliza thought. “The library is closing soon.” Just then, a book caught her eye. She opened the cover to read the first page. There were still some people in the library, so she knew she had a few minutes. She read a few more pages, and then suddenly the lights blinked on and off. She wondered if she had time to borrow the book. She approached the librarian’s desk.
🐵Based on the passage,
which is more likely to happen next?
- Eliza asks if she can borrow the book.
- Eliza asks if the library is about to close.
Think about what happens in the story:
Eliza hears the bells that mean the library is closing soon.
This tells you that Eliza knows the library will close soon.
Eliza wonders if she has time to borrow the book and walks to the librarian’s desk.
This suggests that Eliza will try to borrow the book.
Based on these clues, it is more likely that Eliza asks if she can borrow the book.
let’s practice!
Read this passage from a story.
Emmet, Tiffany and Wendy were at Tiffany’s house. They had a keyboard, guitar, microphone and drums. Emmet wanted the three of them to try to make music together.
‘Tiffany, I’ll play the keyboard if you drum,’ Emmet offered. Tiffany started playing the drums.
‘Wendy, you should play the guitar,’ Emmet suggested. Wendy whispered something under her breath.
‘What?’ Emmet said.
‘I said, I don’t want to play the guitar,’ replied Wendy. ‘I’ll be the singer!’