Text Evidence & Inference

Help students support answers with evidence and make logical inferences from text

FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.4.R.2.4

Florida B.E.S.T. Standard

ELA.4.R.2.4

Explain an author's use of text features and/or rhetorical purposes in informational text. Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Text Evidence

Words, phrases, or sentences from the passage that PROVE your answer is correct. Always cite evidence to support your thinking!

Inference

A conclusion you draw by combining text clues with what you already know. Reading "between the lines!"

The Inference Formula

Text Clues + What I Know = Inference

Printable Resources

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Teacher Guide

5-day lesson plan, inference strategies, and evidence sentence starters

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Student Concept Worksheet

Introduction to evidence and inference with guided practice

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Practice Worksheet

Multiple passages with evidence-based and inference questions

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FAST Practice Quiz

10 test-format questions - mirrors actual FAST assessment

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Parent Activity Guide

Home activities to practice finding evidence and making inferences

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Answer Keys

Complete answers for all worksheets with explanations

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Teaching Tips for Text Evidence & Inference

Teach "According to the passage...": Help students use sentence starters like "According to the passage..." or "The text states..." to cite evidence properly.
Model the Inference Process: Think aloud: "The text says X. I know Y from my experience. So I can infer Z."
Distinguish Explicit vs. Implicit: Explicit = stated directly. Implicit = you have to figure it out (inference). Both require text support!
Practice "Prove It!": After any answer, ask students to "prove it" by pointing to specific text evidence.