Reading in English
Understanding
Implied Meaning
Table of Contents
2
Lesson Objective
2
Pre-Reading
3
Reading
4
Comprehension
5
Language Focus
6
Vocabulary Review
7
Practice
10
Assessment
12
Reading Assessment Tool
13
Self-Assessment
14
Answer Key
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1
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Lesson Objective
In this lesson, you’ll learn to read and understand information that is
communicated indirectly by an author. You will also learn the difference
between the verbs imply and infer. First, let’s think about how we hint at
meaning through our gestures and actions.
Pre-Reading
A. Take a Guess
Read and discuss each gesture or action with a partner. Take a guess about
what each one means.
•
a mom looks at her watch three times as her child arrives home
from school
•
a neighbor comes over to your home for coffee and zips up
her sweater
•
a friend hands you a box of tissues as you begin to watch a movie
•
a spouse gets up from the dinner table and brings back the salt shaker
B. Vocabulary Preview
Match up as many words and meanings as you can.
Check this exercise again after seeing the words in context on page 3.
1.
literal
a)
to communicate
2.
implied
b)
to use
3.
explicitly
c)
in the most basic sense
4.
implicitly
d)
an understanding or conclusion based on evidence
5.
convey
e)
in a clear, detailed way
6.
utilize
f)
information or understanding one already has
7.
prior knowledge
g)
in an indirect way
8.
unfamiliar
h)
suggested indirectly
9.
decipher
i)
to figure out, to understand
10.
inference
j)
not known, not well understood
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Reading
1.
In written English, just as in spoken English, meaning can be literal
or implied. When a word or passage has a literal meaning, it is stated
directly. The writer or speaker spells out exactly what he or she means.
However, writers often expect more advanced readers to do a bit more
work. This is especially true with fiction.
2.
Writers often use the “show, don’t tell” technique to make their writing
more meaningful. Instead of explicitly describing a character or
setting, fiction writers use actions or emotions to convey meaning
implicitly. A writer could easily use the words “cold and snowy” to tell
a reader that her story begins on a wintry day. To show or imply that it
is the first day of winter-like weather, however, the writer can describe
a group of children struggling to find their boots and snowsuits.
“Poetry had
far better imply
things than preach
them directly...”
­—F. L. Lucas, literary critic
3. Dialogue can also be used to convey meaning about characters in an
implicit way. For example, the mother in the scenario above may yell
down to her kids: “Your boots and snowsuits are in the basement in
a bin marked ‘Seasonal’!” When you read between the lines, you can
infer that the children are old enough to read the word “seasonal,” but
young enough to still wear snowsuits.
4. Readers can also utilize their prior knowledge to grasp the writer’s
implied meaning. Readers draw conclusions about a character
or situation based on their own world knowledge and personal
experiences. Readers also rely on prior knowledge to infer the
meaning of unfamiliar words. They look at nearby words that they
recognize and try to decipher the meaning of the unfamiliar ones.
5. Unlike with detail and main idea questions, there is usually more than
one possible answer to an inference question. Readers make educated
or informed guesses based on inference clues from the writer. Being
able to identify and explain how they made the inference is more
important than getting the same answer as other readers.
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Useful Inference
Sentence Stems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
My guess is...
I think this means...
Perhaps this means...
It’s possible the author is
trying to say that...
Based on my own personal
experience, I think that...
I think the author is trying to
convey that...
The dialogue suggests that...
3
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Comprehension
Use the information from page 3 to answer the questions.
1.
According to the reading, how is spoken English similar to written English?
2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?
3. Why should readers pay close attention to dialogue in order to fully understand a story?
4. What can you infer about the mother in paragraph 3 based on what she says to her children?
5. How can readers infer the meaning of unfamiliar words?
6. How are inference questions different from main idea or detail questions?
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4
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Language Focus
A. Imply Vs. Infer
The verbs “imply” and “infer” are often confused.
To imply means to hint at something indirectly. A writer or speaker implies
or hints at meaning without saying or writing it explicitly.
To infer means to guess or figure out the meaning of something based on
prior knowledge, experience, or other clues. A reader or listener infers
the meaning.
A trick for keeping these two words straight is to remember that “infer” is
for the reader to “figure out.”
•
•
What can you (the reader) infer (from the text)?
What does the writer imply (by leaving hints)?
B. Direct & Indirect Language Expressions
Expression
Definition
Example
spell something out
t o say something in a very basic
way so that people understand the
meaning easily
Do you need me to spell it out for you?
Ella is not interested in dating you.
read between the lines
to figure out the full meaning of
something even though it is not
explicitly stated
I understand that she’s not interested.
I can read between the lines.
draw conclusions
to use the clues or
information we have to make
educated guesses
Before you draw any conclusions,
ask to hear her side of the story.
take/can’t take a hint
to detect (or to be unable to detect)
implied meanings (often hinted at
through actions, dialogue, tone)
I stopped responding to his texts,
but he can’t take a hint.
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5
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Vocabulary Review
A. Choose the Correct Word
Choose the word or phrase with the closest meaning to
the underlined word or phrase in the following sentences.
1.
The writer implies
that the characters are
recently divorced.
a) guesses
b) hints
c) states
2. Does the report explicitly
state that the company is at
risk of bankruptcy?
a) uncharacteristically
b) indirectly
c) directly
3. I can’t decipher
the instructions because your
handwriting is so messy.
a) deliver
b) understand
c) change
5. When I said he died, I didn’t
mean that in the literal sense.
He’s just really sad.
a) basic
b) reading
c) death
4. He conveyed his
disappointment by shaking
his head at us.
a) heightened
b) communicated
c) hid
6. My inferences were
based on prior knowledge
and personal experience.
a) hints
b) definitions
c) educated guesses
B. Complete the Sentence
Complete the sentences using a form of imply or infer.
1.
My colleague
2. The reader can
that he is going to quit his job soon.
that the main character is a young female.
3. From the speaker’s tone, we can
4. Are you
5. Make an
that he is frustrated with the new regulations.
that we should stop fighting for these changes?
about the season based on the description in paragraph 2.
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6
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Practice
A. Unfamiliar Words
Read the text and try to infer the
word form and meaning of some
unfamiliar words. Use your prior
knowledge of nearby words to
guess the part of speech and
meaning. Complete the chart.
#
Word
Ex
fidget
1
aimlessly
2
splurge
3
amenities
4
monotony
Word Form
verb
Allan Murdock fidgeted in his seat while he waited for his name
to be called. First, he scrolled aimlessly through his social
media updates. Then he pulled out his wallet and began to
alphabetize his business cards. San Diego was the 12th city on
Allan’s month‑long sales trip. He was physically exhausted and
had splurged for his last night on the road. Allan was looking
forward to an evening to relax and enjoy the amenities of this
all-inclusive resort. Tomorrow morning he’d be flying home and
returning to the monotony of his 9–5 workweek.
Nearby Clues
Definition
in his seat, waited,
scrolled, pulled out his
wallet, alphabetize
to play around with items
nervously, to have difficulty
sitting still
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Practice cont.
B. Reading Between the Lines user-friends
Work with a partner. Read the
text and answer the questions
together. Compare your answers
with another group’s answers.
1.
What does the writer imply
about the time of year? What
about the time of day?
2. What can you infer about
Mrs. Washington?
3. What does the writer explicitly
say about Brian?
4. What personal experience or
knowledge can help you fully
understand the first scene of
this story?
Outside 52 Hollyhock Lane, three orange jack-o’-lanterns grinned
blindly on the front stoop. With their mouths opened wide, they
were enjoying a windblown breakfast of freshly fallen snowflakes.
Inside a different kind of storm was brewing.
“I can’t find my boots!” Mark shouted.
“There are no mittens!” Will said.
“Where are the snowsuits buried?” their eldest sibling Brian said
as he sifted through a mess of jackets and umbrellas.
The children were going to be late for school, but that was the
least of Mrs. Washington’s worries.
“Check in the basement in the bin marked Seasonal!” she yelled
down to them as she reached for a tissue to remove some of her
red lipstick. “Hurry up! You’re all going to miss the bus.”
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Practice cont.
C. Show, Don’t Tell
Read the sentences and try rewriting them in a less explicit way.
1.
My dog was very happy to see me when I got home from work.
2. I was born in a farmhouse on a cold, wet September morning.
3. Grandma Kate liked everything sweet, including cookies, cakes, and pies.
4. As I watched Franco drive away, I realized I was in love with him.
5. It was 6:00 am on a Sunday morning when the bad news arrived.
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9
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Assessment
A. Reading
Read the text and answer the questions in Part B.
Lillian stares down at her feet. Her new, furry slippers glare back.
Did the right one wink at her?
What Lillian had asked for was a sumptuous bathrobe like the
kind from the hotels they used to stay at when his work paid for
everything, including the mineral water. But things had changed.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees anymore,” Robert had reminded
her when she passed him her holiday wish list.
“How about under trees?”
Robert hadn’t laughed at this nor at anything Lillian had
said in the last few weeks. He did chuckle when she opened
his gift, though.
“They’re for your icebergs,” he said. “Maybe both of us can get
some shut-eye around here from now on.”
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10
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Assessment cont.
B. Comprehension
Answer the questions based on the text in Part A.
1.
Identify three unfamiliar words and make an educated guess about what they mean.
2. Do you have any prior knowledge or experience about hotels to bring to this text?
3. What does the author imply/infer about Robert’s job? (Circle the appropriate verb and answer the question.)
4. What can you imply/infer about the setting? (Circle the appropriate verb and answer the question.)
5. What does the author convey in the line “They’re for your icebergs”?
6. Why do you need to read between the lines to understand Lillian and Robert’s relationship?
7.
Rewrite the last sentence in a more literal way.
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Reading Assessment Tool
Name:
Description of Task
Skill
Date Completed
Score /
Success
Level
Reading
Success (check)

Yes
Assessment Criteria
Almost
Not Yet
understands the difference between imply and infer
uses prior knowledge and nearby words to infer meaning of
unfamiliar words
understands different ways that writers imply meaning
makes inferences about characters
makes inferences about setting
Notes
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12
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Self-Assessment
MAKING INFERENCES
Add check marks () to show what you've learned in this lesson.
Name:
Can I...
Date:
Yes (very well)
Yes (with help)
Not yet
understand the difference between
imply and infer?
infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word from
nearby words and prior knowledge?
explain what it means to read between the lines?
understand implied meaning based on what a
character says?
infer meaning about time and place?
My Notes
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
LEVEL: High Int
In this lesson, students learn how to understand implied meaning
TIME:
3+ hours
TAGS:
implied meaning, inference, making inferences, reading,
in written texts. They learn the difference between the commonly
confused words “imply” and “infer” and practice reading between
reading strategies, imply, reading in English, fiction
the lines. This lesson includes vocabulary review practice,
comprehension, and assessment.
Pre-Reading
Comprehension
A. TAKE A GUESS
Have students work individually to answer the questions based on
Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss the implied
meanings of the gestures and actions. Then discuss as a class.
the reading. This task can be assigned for homework.
1.
Answers will vary.
According to the reading, spoken and written
English are similar in that meaning can be literal (direct)
or implied (indirect).
B. VOCABULARY PREVIEW
2.
1. c
3. e
5. a
7. f
9. i
2. h
4. g
6. b
8. j
10. d
Reading
Paragraph 2 is mainly about “show, don’t tell,” a technique
where writers use actions and emotions to imply meaning
rather than stating information directly.
3.
Writers should pay close attention to the dialogue to learn
more about the characters.
4.
You could infer that the mother is busy or distracted and
expects her children to find their boots and snowsuits
Have students read the instructional text individually or in pairs
themselves. She might be an organized person since she has a
or groups. Alternatively, you can read the text together as a class.
Discuss the quote.
labelled bin in storage for seasonal wear.
5.
Readers can use prior knowledge or experience to infer
meaning about unfamiliar words.
6.
Inference questions are different from main idea or detail
questions because there usually isn’t a wrong answer. It’s more
important for readers to explain how they got the answer
(show their evidence) than to answer it correctly.
(continued on the next page...)
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Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Answer Key cont.
Language Focus
2.
splurge (verb)
nearby clues: resort, last night
Have students read the instructional text individually or in pairs or
definition: to spend money freely (usually for a
groups. Alternatively, you can read the text together as a class.
special occasion)
3.
Vocabulary Review
nearby clues: relax, enjoy, resort
definition: features of comfort, enjoyment, or convenience
A. CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
1. b
2. c
3. b
amenities (noun)
4.
4. b
5. a
nearby clues: 9–5, workweek (“mono” prefix = one, alone)
6. c
B. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
monotony (noun)
definition: repetition or routine, lack of variety
B. READING BET WEEN THE LINES
1.
implied/is implying
4.
implying
This reading task can be done together as a class or for homework.
2.
infer
5.
inference
Remind students that it’s more important to be able to explain their
3.
infer
Practice
answer than to get it right or wrong. Responses will vary.
1.
The writer implies that it is October or early November
(jack‑o’‑lanterns are out), but that winter has arrived.
The writer also implies that it is morning (breakfast,
A. UNFAMILIAR WORDS
Give your students time to look at the words in bold and infer
kids might miss the bus).
2.
for an important day or event and doesn’t have time to
meaning from nearby words and prior knowledge.
Ex. fidget (verb)
help her kids.
3.
nearby clues: in his seat, waited, scrolled,
pulled out his wallet, alphabetize
1.
You can infer that Mrs. Washington is busy getting ready
The writer explicitly states that Brian is the oldest child in
the household.
4.
Readers may recall the stress of being late for school or almost
definition: to play around with items nervously,
missing the bus. They may compare this mother to their own
to have difficulty sitting still
mother in terms of her attentiveness. They may also think
about how annoying it is to have to get bundled up for school,
aimlessly (adverb)
especially when it’s only Halloween season.
nearby clues: waited for his name to be called, fidgeted,
social media (“less” suffix = without)
definition: without a purpose
(continued on the next page...)
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15
Understanding Implied Meaning
Reading in English
Answer Key cont.
Practice cont.
Assessment
C. SHOW, DON’T TELL
A. READING
This writing task can be done together as a class or for homework.
Use the reading on page 10 to assess your students’ ability to
Encourage students to use their creativity. Responses will vary.
Examples:
1.
2.
My dog ran up and down the hall when I got home and
B. COMPREHENSION
I was born on the first day of school when the sunflowers
1.
brown. The skies opened up to welcome me, but the visitors
stayed home.
went around with the dessert tray.
“I never knew you cared so much about cars,” my brother
teased as I stared at his best friend, Franco, driving away in his
new Volkswagen Beetle.
5.
I felt around the room to try to find my phone. “Are you sitting
down?” my father asked. “Why would I be sitting before the
Answers will vary. Readers may choose words such as glare,
sumptuous, chuckle, and shut-eye.
2.
Answers will vary. Readers may mention that mineral water is
expensive in hotel rooms and that only expensive hotel rooms
The way to Grandma Kate’s heart was through her stomach.
“I’ll take one of each,” she would always say when my mom
4.
of time to complete this task (e.g., 30 minutes). A ready-made
assessment tool is available on page 12.
knocked over a plant.
outside the farmhouse turned from a delicious gold to a crispy
3.
understand implied meaning. Give your students a set amount
offer robes.
3.
(imply) The author implies that Robert either lost his job or
got a demotion.
4.
(infer) You can infer that it’s Christmas Eve or Christmas
5.
The author conveys that Lillian has physically cold feet.
6.
To understand the relationship, the reader needs to follow the
morning at Lillian and Robert’s home.
characters’ actions, emotions, and dialogue. Robert doesn’t
sun comes up?” I wondered.
laugh at her jokes anymore, and Lillian is disappointed that he
didn’t buy her the gift she asked for. The job loss or demotion
seems to be putting a strain on their relationship since things
aren’t the way they used to be.
7.
Answers will vary. “Maybe we’ll both sleep better when your
cold feet don’t keep us awake.”
SPELLING NOTE:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the word Neighbor.
Most other English-speaking countries spell it this way:
Neighbour. Make it a challenge for your students to find this word
in the lesson and see if they know the alternate spelling.
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