Inference

Inference means working out something the writer suggests but doesn't say directly: reading between the lines. You combine clues in the text (what people do, say and feel, and what things look like) with what you already know. ⟦Mia slammed the door and stomped up the stairs.⟧ The writer doesn't say Mia is angry, but the clues tell us.

Key facts

  • Actions show feelings: ⟦Kai's teeth were chattering⟧ → he is cold. ⟦Her hands were shaking⟧ → she is nervous.
  • Details show places and times: ⟦sand between her toes⟧ → she has been at the beach. ⟦The pond was frozen⟧ → it is winter.
  • Always find evidence: the words in the text that support your answer.
  • Explain how the evidence leads to the answer: ⟦He checked the clock every few minutes⟧ suggests he is impatient.
  • An inference must fit all the clues, not just one, and it can't be something the text proves wrong.

Worked examples

Example 1

How does Leo feel? ⟦Leo yawned, rubbed his eyes and lay down on the sofa.⟧

  1. Clues: ⟦yawned⟧, ⟦rubbed his eyes⟧, ⟦lay down⟧.
  2. We do these things when we are tired, so Leo is tired.

Answer: tired

Example 2

What happened? ⟦The ground was wet and there were puddles everywhere.⟧

  1. Wet ground and puddles are left after rain.
  2. So we can infer that it has rained.

Answer: It has rained.

Example 3

Why does Ella put her bike away? ⟦Ella looked at the black clouds. She sighed, put the bike back in the shed and took out her bus pass.⟧

  1. ⟦black clouds⟧ suggest rain is coming.
  2. She chooses the bus instead, and ⟦sighed⟧ shows she is disappointed.

Answer: She thinks it will rain.