Inferences Worksheets

All About These 15 Worksheets

So, imagine you’re reading a story. The story doesn’t always tell you everything directly. There may be parts that you need to figure out on your own based on what you already know and what the story is telling you. This process of making educated guesses or conclusions from what you read is called “making inferences.” It’s like being a detective, but instead of finding clues to solve a mystery, you’re finding clues to understand a story better.

These inference worksheets have passages, stories, or sentences, and questions related to them. But instead of asking for straightforward answers, these questions ask you to think a bit deeper. You won’t find the answers directly in the text. You’ll have to ‘infer’ them based on what’s written and your own knowledge.

For example, let’s say there’s a sentence in the worksheet: “Sarah came inside, her clothes dripping, and she hung her soaked raincoat on the hook.” There’s no direct information about the weather outside, right? But the worksheet might ask, “What was the weather like outside?” From Sarah’s wet clothes and soaked raincoat, you can infer that it was raining.

Some inference worksheets will ask you to infer feelings or emotions of the characters. For instance, “Mike slammed the door and stormed up to his room.” The question might be, “How is Mike feeling?” Even though the sentence doesn’t directly say, you can infer from Mike’s actions that he’s probably angry or upset.

Remember, inferring isn’t about making wild guesses. It’s about connecting the dots between what you read and what you already know. And like any other skill, the more you practice, the better you get at it. That’s where inference worksheets come in – they provide you with that much-needed practice!

How Do You Make Inferences in What you Read?

Making inferences while reading involves drawing conclusions, interpreting information, or deducing meaning based on the information provided in the text and your own background knowledge. Inferences allow readers to better understand and connect with the material, even when certain details or ideas are not explicitly stated. Here are some steps to help you make inferences while reading:

Read carefully: Read the text thoroughly and attentively, paying close attention to details, descriptions, and character interactions. This will help you gather the necessary information to make informed inferences.

Identify clues: Look for clues in the text that hint at deeper meanings or unstated information. These clues can include descriptions, actions, dialogue, symbols, or recurring motifs. Highlight or take notes on these elements to help you analyze and interpret them later.

Connect to background knowledge: Use your own background knowledge, experiences, and understanding of the world to help you make connections and draw conclusions. This can include knowledge of literary themes, historical context, or social issues relevant to the text.

Ask questions: As you read, ask yourself questions about the characters, events, and situations in the text. Consider the motivations, emotions, and relationships of the characters, and how these factors might influence the story. Asking questions will help you think critically about the text and identify potential inferences.

Look for patterns: Identify patterns or trends in the text, such as recurring themes, character behaviors, or conflicts. These patterns can provide valuable insights into the underlying meanings or messages the author intends to convey.

Evaluate evidence: Assess the evidence in the text that supports your inferences. This can include direct quotes, descriptions, or events that help validate your conclusions or interpretations.

Formulate inferences: Based on the clues you’ve identified, your background knowledge, and the evidence in the text, formulate your inferences or conclusions. Remember that inferences should be logical and well-supported by the information provided in the text.

Test your inferences: As you continue reading, test your inferences against the information and events that unfold in the story. Be prepared to revise or refine your inferences if new information contradicts or challenges your initial conclusions.

Discuss with others: Engage in discussions with peers, teachers, or friends about the text and your inferences. Sharing ideas and interpretations can help broaden your understanding and provide new perspectives on the material.

By practicing these steps and consistently engaging in active reading, you can develop your ability to make inferences and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the texts you read.