Practice - Macmillan/McGraw-Hill

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Name
An inference is a conclusion or deduction made from evidence.
Readers make inferences about story elements based on details
in the story or from their own experience. You usually “read between
the lines” to figure out what a character is feeling or intends to do.
When you make judgments or conclusions based on your reading,
you are making inferences about characters or events.
Read the selection. Then make inferences to answer the questions.
Practice
Comprehension:
Make Inferences
Maria walked into the kitchen with a frown on her face. Her mother was
standing over the counter, chopping red peppers. Maria sat down on a
small stool.
Maria’s mother looked up from her cutting board. “Maria, you need to
cheer up. Rowdy wasn’t your dog. It’s not fair for you to keep him.”
“I know,” Maria began. “I’ll be all right. I’ll just miss when Rowdy jumps
on my belly when I’m lying on the fl oor. I’ll miss when he curls up in that
shoe box. I’ll just miss him.”
Maria’s mother stopped chopping and walked over beside her daughter.
“Sweetie, don’t you worry. Your birthday is right around the corner and I
know just what to get you.”
Maria’s face lit up. “Oh, mom!” she exclaimed, hugging her mother.
1. How is Maria feeling in the beginning of the story? How do you know?
2. How is Maria feeling at the end of the story? How do you know?
3. How big is Rowdy? How do you know?
4. What do you think will happen on Maria’s birthday?
At Home: Pick your favorite character from a movie or story.
Then make inferences about how that character would act at
a birthday party and explain why.
Shiloh • Grade 5/Unit 2
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