READING SOL REVIEW:
MAKING INFERENCES
What does “inference” mean?
■ An inference is a “logical guess based on facts and common
sense.”
■ When making an inference, you need to combine facts and
details from the text you are reading with background/prior
knowledge you have on the topic to figure out what is not
directly stated in the text.
■ Inferencing requires higher-level thinking skills and is,
essentially, asking you to be a “detective” as you read.
Questions to Consider:
■ When making an inference, examine the following to analyze the text:
– Read the text closely
– Look for clues or evidence in the text related to the question/topic
– Highlight clues/quotations from the text to help you infer your
answer
■ When making an inference, ask yourself the following to connect
background knowledge:
– What connections can I make between the text and my own life?
– What connections can I make between the text and my world?
(Movies/tv shows/internet etc).
– What connections can I make between the text and the literature I
have read?
– Consider the connotation of the words being used
Quick Practice
Annie could hear the music playing over the loudspeaker at the mall. She and
her mother were shopping for a present for her father. Annie could see a big line
in the center of the mall. She wondered what all the people were waiting in line
for when she heard a jolly “HO HO HO!” coming from the center of the crowd.
Annie smiled as she looked at all the red and green decorations hanging
throughout the mall.
1. Which of the following is a conclusion we can make from the passage
above?
a. Annie and her mother were shopping for a birthday present for
her father.
b. The people in line were waiting to see Santa Claus.
c. The mall if close to Annie’s house.
d. The music was coming form a live band.
How were you able to infer the answer to the above question?