Working Out What Is Not Said
Use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning to build literal and inferred meaning, to expand topic knowledge and ideas, and evaluate texts.
Read this first
Some answers are hidden. You work them out from clues.
Words you need
- Inference
- A smart guess built on clues in the text.
- Clue
- A word or detail that points to the answer.
- Proof
- The clue you used. Always name it.
Worked example
e.g. Ben pulled up his hood and ran for the door. What was the weather like?
- The question is not answered directly. So look for clues.
- Clue one: he pulled up his hood.
- Clue two: he ran for the door.
- Think. When do people do both of those? When it rains.
- Answer: it was raining.
- Now give your proof. Say which clues you used.
Clue plus thinking equals inference. Always name the clue.
Practice
Find the clue. Then say what it tells you.
1Zoe's plate was empty. She smiled. Did Zoe like the food?with a picture
AnswerYes. The empty plate and the smile are the clues.
2Dad kept looking at his watch. How did Dad feel?with a picture
AnswerIn a hurry, or worried about the time.
3Ali put on sunglasses and a hat. What was the weather?with a hint
Need a hint?
What do you wear in the sun?
AnswerSunny and bright.
4The dog hid under the bed and shook. How did the dog feel?with a hint
Need a hint?
What does shaking show?
AnswerScared.
5Sara's bag was packed by the door. She could not sleep. What is happening tomorrow?on your own
AnswerSomething exciting, like a trip. The packed bag is the clue.
6Why must you name your clue?on your own
AnswerIt proves your answer came from the text, not from a guess.
Think about it
1
Two students give different answers, both with clues. Can both be right?
One good answerYes, if both clues really are in the text. A good inference just has to fit.
2
What makes an inference wrong?
One good answerThere is no clue for it. It came from your own head only.
Common mistakes
Any guess counts as an inference.
No. An inference must be built on a clue in the text.
Inference means the answer is not in the text at all.
The clues are in the text. Only the answer is left for you to work out.