Understanding Drawing Inferences
Drawing inferences is a critical reading comprehension skill that involves using clues from the text combined with prior knowledge to make logical conclusions that aren’t explicitly stated. As a paraprofessional, you’ll need to help students develop this skill and understand how inferences work.
What is an Inference?
An inference is a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning. When readers make inferences, they’re essentially “reading between the lines” to understand what the author is implying but not directly stating.
Text Evidence + Background Knowledge = Inference
Types of Inferences
Character Traits & Feelings
Inferring a character’s personality, emotions, or motivations based on their actions, words, or thoughts.
Example: “Maria clutched her test paper tightly and avoided eye contact with her classmates.”
Inference: Maria is likely nervous or embarrassed about her test results.
Cause & Effect
Inferring why something happened or what might happen next based on events in the text.
Example: “Dark clouds gathered overhead, and shopkeepers hurriedly pulled their merchandise inside.”
Inference: It’s about to rain or storm.
Setting Details
Inferring information about the time period, location, or atmosphere that isn’t explicitly described.
Example: “Women in long dresses and bonnets carried parasols as horse-drawn carriages passed by.”
Inference: The story likely takes place in the 19th century.
Author’s Purpose
Inferring why the author wrote the text based on content and tone.
Example: “The dangers of smoking cannot be overstated. Research shows…”
Inference: The author’s purpose is to persuade readers about smoking risks.
Making Valid Inferences
Steps to Draw Logical Inferences
- Identify the clues in the text – Look for details, descriptions, dialogue, and actions
- Connect to what you already know – Activate your background knowledge about the topic
- Consider multiple possibilities – What might these clues suggest?
- Choose the most logical conclusion – Which inference is best supported by the text?
- Verify with evidence – Check that your inference is justified by returning to the text
Valid vs. Invalid Inferences
Valid Inferences:
- Are supported by evidence in the text
- Make logical sense
- Don’t contradict other parts of the text
- Don’t go too far beyond what the text suggests
Invalid Inferences:
- Lack textual support
- Are based more on personal bias than evidence
- Contradict information in the text
- Make unreasonable leaps in logic
Teaching Inference Skills
Strategies for Helping Students Draw Inferences
- Think-Aloud Modeling – Verbalize your thought process as you make inferences
- Visual Cues – Use graphic organizers to show how evidence leads to inferences
- Inference Sentence Stems – Provide frames like “I can infer that… because the text says…”
- Picture Books – Use illustrations as context for making inferences
- Scaffolded Questions – Ask progressively deeper questions to build inferential thinking
Example Passages with Inferences
Example 1: Elementary Level
Sammy woke up and looked outside. The ground was covered with a white blanket. His mother called to tell him school was canceled. Sammy grabbed his sled from the garage.
What season is it most likely?
A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
Answer: D. Winter
Explanation: We can infer it’s winter because the ground is covered with “a white blanket” (implying snow), school is canceled (suggesting a snow day), and Sammy gets his sled (used in snowy conditions).
Example 2: Middle School Level
Marcus stared at the clock as the seconds ticked by. His pencil tapped rhythmically on the desk while his half-completed test sat before him. The teacher announced, “Fifteen minutes remaining.” Marcus’s heart raced as he looked at the three remaining pages. He took a deep breath, wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans, and forced himself to focus on the next question.
How is Marcus feeling?
A. Bored and disinterested
B. Anxious and worried
C. Confident and prepared
D. Angry and frustrated
Answer: B. Anxious and worried
Explanation: We can infer Marcus is anxious from several clues: staring at the clock, tapping his pencil (showing nervousness), having a racing heart, sweaty palms, and needing to force himself to focus. These are all physical signs of anxiety, especially considering he still has three pages left with only fifteen minutes remaining.
Common Inference Question Stems
- “What can you conclude about…?”
- “Based on the passage, what is most likely true about…?”
- “The author implies that…”
- “What does the character probably feel about…?”
- “What will most likely happen next?”
- “Why did the character probably…?”
- “What is the author’s attitude toward…?”
- “What is the meaning of (unfamiliar word) as used in paragraph 2?”
Tips for ParaPro Assessment Inference Questions
- Eliminate answers that contradict the text. Valid inferences never go against what’s explicitly stated.
- Look for answers that extend what the text says rather than repeat it. Inference questions ask about implied information, not directly stated facts.
- Be wary of answers that seem plausible but lack textual support. Every inference should be grounded in evidence from the passage.
- Consider the tone and context. The author’s choice of words often suggests attitudes or implications.
- When uncertain, return to the text. Re-read relevant sections to ensure your inference is justified.
Practice Questions
Question 1
Mrs. Chen placed the last test paper on the stack with a sigh. She had been grading since dinner, and now the clock showed it was past midnight. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the grade distribution she had tallied. Tomorrow’s class discussion would need to be very different from what she had planned.
What can be inferred about the test results?
Question 2
The gymnasium buzzed with excitement as parents found seats and children adjusted their costumes. Behind the curtain, Ms. Rivera lined up the kindergarteners, straightening bow ties and fixing crooked hats. “Remember to speak loudly,” she whispered to a small boy clutching a wrinkled script. The principal approached the microphone as the lights began to dim.
What event is most likely taking place?
Key Takeaways: Drawing Inferences
- Inferences combine textual evidence with background knowledge to reach logical conclusions
- Valid inferences must be supported by evidence from the text
- Different types of inferences include character feelings, cause and effect, setting details, and author’s purpose
- Help students learn to infer through modeling, visual tools, and scaffolded questions
- When answering inference questions, always look for textual support and eliminate contradictory options