1. Making Inferences

2. 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?

3. 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)

4. 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

5. For Example
Making inferences from pictures

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Example 2
Making inferences from simple text

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.