Making Inferences | Student Worksheet

What is an Inference?

An inference is an educated guess about something the author doesn't directly tell you. Good readers "read between the lines" by using clues from the text plus what they already know to figure things out!

The Inference Formula

Text Evidence + Background Knowledge = INFERENCE

(Clues from the text) + (What you already know) = (Your smart conclusion!)

Explicit vs. Implicit (Inference)

EXPLICIT

Directly stated in the text

The author TELLS you

"Maya was nervous." (It says so!)

IMPLICIT (Inference)

NOT directly stated - you figure it out

The author SHOWS you

"Maya's hands trembled." (She must be nervous!)

Let's Practice: "The Big Game"

Marcus stood at the free-throw line, the basketball heavy in his sweaty palms. The scoreboard showed 58-57 with only 3 seconds left. His teammates watched from the bench, some covering their eyes. The crowd had fallen completely silent. Marcus bounced the ball twice, took a deep breath, and let it fly. The ball circled the rim once... twice... and dropped through the net. The gymnasium exploded with cheers as Marcus was lifted onto his teammates' shoulders.

Making an Inference: How does Marcus feel at the free-throw line?

IT SAYS
(Text Evidence)

"sweaty palms"
"took a deep breath"
"teammates covering their eyes"

I KNOW
(Background Knowledge)

Sweaty hands = nervous
Deep breaths help calm down
Close games are stressful

SO I INFER
(My Conclusion)

Marcus is nervous and feeling a lot of pressure to make this shot.

Notice: The text never SAYS "Marcus was nervous" - but we can INFER it from the clues!

Where to Find Clues for Inferences

🎬

ACTIONS: What characters do often reveals how they feel

💬

DIALOGUE: What characters say (and HOW they say it)

👀

DESCRIPTIONS: Details about setting, weather, or mood

🔄

REACTIONS: How other characters respond to someone

More Inferences from "The Big Game"

We Can Infer...	Because the Text Says...
Marcus's team won the game	The ball "dropped through the net" and the gym "exploded with cheers"
This was an important shot	Only 3 seconds left, one-point difference, everyone watching silently
Marcus is now seen as a hero	He was "lifted onto his teammates' shoulders"

Your Turn!

1. Read this sentence: "The crowd had fallen completely silent."

What can you INFER about how the crowd was feeling? What evidence supports this?

2. Which of these is an INFERENCE (not explicitly stated)?

A. The scoreboard showed 58-57. B. Marcus bounced the ball twice. C. Marcus felt a lot of pressure to make the shot. D. The ball dropped through the net.

3. Use the inference formula for this scenario:

"Emma walked into the kitchen and found flour on the counter, dirty bowls in the sink, and a sweet smell filling the room."

Text Evidence:

Background Knowledge:

My Inference:

4. Why is it important to support inferences with text evidence?

Remember: Inferences Are NOT Wild Guesses!

Always ask yourself: "What in the text makes me think this?"
If you can't point to evidence, it's a guess, not an inference
Multiple valid inferences are possible - but all need evidence!