Studyfin
✨ Sign up free
Hi there! I am Studyfin, your tutor. Today we will learn how to make smart inferences using clues from what you read.
Reading comprehension is more than just reading words on a page. It is about understanding the deeper meaning of a text. To do this, we must learn to make inferences.
An inference is an educated guess. You combine clues from the text with what you already know to find a hidden truth. Authors often leave hints instead of telling you everything directly.
To support your inference, you must find text evidence. Evidence is the specific facts, quotes, or details in the story. If you cannot point to a clue in the text, your inference might just be a wild guess.
Read this short passage and make an inference: 'Maya grabbed her heavy umbrella, pulled up her hood, and stepped out the front door. A cold gust of wind blew her hood back.' What can you infer about the weather, and what is your evidence?
- Identify the question: We need to find out what the weather is like and prove it with text clues.
- Search the text for clues: The text mentions a 'heavy umbrella,' a 'hood,' and a 'cold gust of wind.'
- Connect clues to real life: We know people use umbrellas when it rains, wear hoods when it is cold or wet, and feel wind during storms.
- Form your inference: It is a cold, windy, and likely rainy day.
- State your evidence: The text states Maya grabbed an umbrella, wore a hood, and faced a cold gust of wind.
