Drawing Conclusions Worksheets
All About These Worksheets
These worksheets can be used to help students practice and improve their inferential thinking and comprehension skills. The ability to draw conclusions is an important aspect of understanding a text, whether it’s a narrative, an article, or any form of written content. It requires students to use clues or information from the text and combine them with their own knowledge to make an inference or a reasonable judgment.
Types of Problems
Direct Inferences – These questions ask students to make a direct inference from information provided in the text.
Example: After reading a passage about a girl wearing a raincoat and carrying an umbrella, a question might ask, “What is the girl preparing for?” The conclusion: She is preparing for rain.
Predictions – Students will need to use given information to make a guess about what might happen next.
Example: “John was studying hard for weeks. Tomorrow is the big test. What do you think John is preparing for?” The conclusion: John is preparing for his test.
Cause and Effect – Identifying reasons why something happened or predicting outcomes based on a cause.
Example: “Every time it rained, Mary’s old roof leaked. What can you conclude?” Conclusion: Mary’s roof is in bad condition.
Character Analysis – Drawing conclusions about a character’s feelings, motives, or characteristics based on their actions or words.
Example: “Sam always gave half of his lunch to his friend who forgot his. What can you say about Sam?” Conclusion: Sam is generous and caring.
Theme or Moral – For stories, students might be asked to infer the overall message or lesson.
Example: After reading a story about a boy who lied and faced consequences, “What is the lesson of the story?” Conclusion: Lying can lead to negative consequences.
General Comprehension – Sometimes, students will need to draw conclusions about main ideas, settings, or other elements of a text.
Example: “After reading about various landmarks and cultural elements, where do you think this story is set?” Conclusion: The story is set in France.
Using Pictures or Diagrams – Some worksheets might incorporate visual elements, requiring students to draw conclusions based on images combined with text.
Example: A picture of a wilted plant next to an empty watering can might lead to the question, “What does the plant need?” Conclusion: The plant needs water.
In all these cases, the aim is to encourage students to think critically and inferentially, rather than just recalling explicit details from the text.
How to Draw a Conclusion About What You Read
Drawing a conclusion about a reading passage requires careful analysis, critical thinking, and synthesis of information. Here are some steps to help you effectively draw a conclusion:
Read the passage carefully: Thoroughly read and understand the passage, taking note of important details, themes, and arguments. Make sure to comprehend the author’s main points and purpose.
Identify the main idea: Determine the central theme or message of the passage. This can usually be found in the thesis statement, topic sentences, or in recurring ideas throughout the text.
Look for supporting evidence: Examine the evidence, examples, and arguments the author provides to support their main idea. This can include data, anecdotes, quotes, or expert opinions.
Consider the author’s tone and perspective: Analyze the author’s tone and perspective, considering whether they are objective, subjective, persuasive, or informative. This can provide insights into the author’s intentions and help you better understand their conclusion.
Examine the structure and organization: Evaluate how the passage is structured and organized. Look for logical connections, transitions, and coherence between ideas, which can indicate a well-reasoned argument or conclusion.
Make connections: Connect the information presented in the passage to your prior knowledge or other relevant sources. This can help you identify patterns, similarities, or differences that may be significant to the conclusion.
Synthesize the information: Summarize the main points and evidence, and consider how they relate to each other. This synthesis will help you draw a well-informed conclusion.
Formulate your conclusion: Based on your analysis and synthesis, formulate a conclusion that reflects the main idea, evidence, and overall message of the passage. Your conclusion should be concise, clear, and supported by the text.
Reevaluate and refine: Revisit your conclusion to ensure it is accurate and supported by the passage. Consider alternative interpretations or viewpoints, and refine your conclusion if necessary.
By following these steps, you can effectively draw a conclusion about a reading passage, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text and its purpose.