Making Inferences
Good readers make inferences as they read. That is, in addition to reading the words, they use their imagination and
their knowledge about the world to fill in facts and ideas that are not stated in the text. This is sometimes called
"reading between the lines."
It is often necessary to read between the lines because a writer cannot include all the possible information about a
topic or situation. Writers leave out information that they think readers will know already or will be able to guess.
Directions: Read about the Sanchez family. Think about what is not stated directly in the
information given. Then answer the questions.
1. Grandpa’s name is Joe Sanchez. Is he Carlo’s or Marie’s father?
How can you tell?
2. Leann and Laura are sisters and the same age. How can that be?
3. Junior just got his driver’s license. Can you conclude how old he is? Why or why not?
4. Leann and Laura are in the eighth grade. Can you conclude that Junior is older than they are?
Why or why not?
5. Grandma Sanchez watches the two youngest children while the rest of the family is at work and
school. Who does she babysit?
How can you tell?
6.After work, Carlo picks up the boys at Grandma’s and gets dinner started. Does Grandma live
with the Sanchez family? How do you know?
7.All the Sanchez children have jobs around the house. Even Mark feeds the fish. What can you
conclude about the parents or children from this?
8. Feeding and cleaning up after Bucky is Junior’s job. Can you conclude that Bucky is a dog?
Why or why not?
