Making Inferences Putting the Pieces Together

Introduction  Writers often do not explain everything to the reader. Sometimes the reader has to guess.  This means you use the information in the text to guess other things that the writer has not put there.  Other times you may need to guess about meaning when you do not know all the words.  Good readers make inferences as they read!

Making Inferences in Conversations  Look at the long line! Do you think we’ll get in?  I think so. Some of these people already have tickets.  How much are the tickets?  Only nine dollars for the first show. I’ll pay.  Thanks! I’ll buy some popcorn.

Making Inferences in Conversations  Look at the long line! Do you think we’ll get in?  I think so. Some of these people already have tickets.  How much are the tickets?  Only nine dollars for the first show. I’ll pay.  Thanks! I’ll buy some popcorn.  Where are these people?  What are they talking about?  Which words helped you guess the topic?

Making Inferences in Conversations  When did this happen?  Yesterday. I was playing soccer and I fell down.  Can you move it at all?  Only a little.  Can you walk on it?  No. It hurts too much.  I think we’ll have to take an X-ray.  Will I be able to play in the game tomorrow?  I’m afraid not.

Inferring Word Meanings  When you want to guess the meaning of a new word, use the story to help you.  This is called using context.

Inferring Word Meanings 1. We brought our boat into the harbor just before the storm started. It was a small harbor, and it was crowded with other boats. But it was safe from the strong winds. What does the word harbor mean? What words or clues from the paragraph helped you guess?

Inferring Word Meanings 2. Sir Cavendish continued to stand there. The King was very angry. “Why are you on your feet?” he shouted. “You must kneel before the King!”  What does kneel mean? What words or clues from the paragraph helped you guess?

Inferring Word Meanings 3. Last winter there was a big storm with lots of snow. One of the old trees came down. It fell on the wall around the garden. Now there is a gap in the wall. We’ll have to build the wall up again. What does the word gap mean? What words or clues from the paragraph helped you guess?

Inferring Word Meanings 4. George likes to boast about how well he can play tennis. He says he can beat any of us! He thinks he’s the best tennis player in town! What does boast mean? What words or clues from the paragraph helped you guess?

Inferring Word Meanings 5. It didn’t rain for months, and the weather was very hot. Soon there was a terrible drought in the country. The farmers couldn’t grow any food, and wild animals died. What does drought mean? What words or clues from the paragraph helped you guess?

Oprah’s Success Oprah started work as a reporter on a radio station in Nashville. The she went to ___ at a TV station. At ___ same time, she ___ to Tennessee State University and ___ a speech class. Since ___, she has worked on TV talk shows. Today, Oprah lives and ___ in Chicago. She is ___ owner of HARPO Productions, a company that makes ___ shows and movies. Millions of ___ watch her TV ___, and she is rich and famous. Oprah always remembers that ___ used to be poor, and she ___ to help other people.