Inferences
Objectives
Student will be able to:
use deductive reasoning to make inferences.
employ prior knowledge to assist in making inferences.
Introduction
Sometimes you are asked to make
inferences,
or educated guesses,
about what you read. An inference is based on what the author implies or doesn't directly state.
When readers use deductive reasoning to make inferences, they also rely on their
prior knowledge.
Readers' experiences and knowledge help them reach a conclusion or make a prediction about the text.
Exercises
Read the passage "Disaster on the Sea," and then answer the questions that follow.
1.
The narrator does not enjoy sailing because she
.
a.
is afraid of drowning
b.
would rather watch the tide
c.
can't work the sails very well
d.
doesn't tie knots very well
c. can't work the sails very well
1
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
2.
Describe Phillip's attitude toward sailing. Write your response in complete sentences.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
He finds it enjoyable and relaxing.
He thinks it is easy.
He likes being on the water and working the sails.
2
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
3.
Highlight
the clues the narrator provides that allowed you to predict that the sailing trip would turn dangerous.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
left to the mercy of the wind
the shore was getting farther and farther away
taking us out to sea
the breeze stopped dead
It was howling
waves were getting too big
Phillip started yelling orders
looked around to see a giant wave
3
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
4.
You can infer from this passage that Phillip
.
a.
knows how to handle the sailboat in a storm
b.
has never sailed in a storm
c.
does not take sailing seriously
d.
prefers sitting on the shore
a.
knows how to handle the sailboat in a storm
4
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
5.
Based on your prior knowlege and clues from the text, what can you predict will happen next? Respond in a complete sentence.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
The storm will be bad, but Phillip will get them back to shore safely.
They survive the storm, but the narrator will never go sailing again.
5
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
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My husband Phillip grew up on the island, so sailing to him was like riding a bike or throwing a ball. I, on the other hand, was new to the sport, and could barely keep up with all the terminology, much less keep the sails full of wind.
Though I was an amateur sailor, I did love the ocean and its magic. I could sit for hours on the shore, watching the tide come in and out, feeling the warm wind on my face, and watching seagulls skim the water. Phillip suggested I try to muster those feelings when I was sailing, but there were too many things to do, and relaxing was not one of them.
Phillip would say, "You have to get your head off the shore! It's just you, the sails, the wind, and the ocean."
"That's the problem," I'd complain. "What if it all goes terribly wrong? I don't stand a chance!"
One day, Phillip suggested we head out a greater distance than we had in the past. I looked out to the ocean and considered this: the two of us, alone, on a sailboat, left to the mercy of the wind. Without realizing how or why, the next thing I know, the shore was getting farther and farther away.
A small breeze picked up quickly and our sail billowed, taking us out to sea. An hour later, the breeze stopped dead, and our sails dropped. Phillip started to work on the sails, and just as suddenly as the wind died, it started to blow. It was howling! The waves were getting too big for my liking, and Phillip started yelling orders as he wrestled with the sails.
I did as I was told, then looked around to see a giant wave. "Hang on!!" Phillip shouted, "it's going to be a rough ride!"
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