Making Inferences

What is ‘inference’? MAKING INFERENCE is making conclusion by combining the clues from what you read, see or hear with your background knowledge. What clues do you get? What do I know? What is my inference?

HOW? Clues (from the text, from the picture, from observation) What the author said What I know My Inference(s) Clues (from the text, from the picture, from observation) Background knowledge (from previous experiences or learning) Guessing (new understanding)

Sentences we use to make inferences Perhaps, ____ Perhaps, he is a doctor. Maybe, ____ Maybe, she was late for work. I think ___ I think the weather is nice. I’m sure ____ I’m sure they are related. Below 50% sure 50% sure Above 50% sure Almost 100% sure

For Example Making inferences from pictures

Picture 1: Clues from the picture? What do you know? Your inferences? Professional photographer uses sophisticated camera? Someone who is holding a camera will use it to take picture We can find big glass windows on a bus or train. Your inferences? She is probably a professional photographer (she is holding a camera) She is going to take a photograph I think she is on a bus or train (she is taking a train or bus) Clues from the picture? Middle aged lady Wearing a cap Wearing glasses Checked shirt Wearing earring Holding a camera Big glass windows Looking out of the window

Picture 2 Clues from the picture? Your inferences? What do you know? Family look alike People wear casual clothing to attend casual events People cannot go to far when riding a bicycle Your inferences? They are probably related (their faces look similar) Perhaps, they are not far from home (they are riding a bicycle) I think the weather is nice. Clues from the picture? 1 baby girl 3 ladies 1 bicycle flowers Sunny day Big wall Casual clothing Look comfortable with each other

Try this! Clues from the picture? What you know? Your inferences?

Example 2 Making inferences from simple text

What the text said + what I know = my inference Number 1 What the text said + what I know = my inference We need someone to help if we are in trouble. We need Bob to help us. We are in trouble

The weather had been very hot for weeks. What the text said + what I know = my inference The weather had been very hot for weeks. Summer is the hottest time of the year. It is summer.

Jane took out a bottle of cold water. What the text said + what I know = my inference You keep things cold in a refridger-ator. Jane took the water out of the refridger-ator. Jane took out a bottle of cold water.

He took out some money from the pocket. What the text said + what I know = my inference He took out some money from the pocket.