Inferencing 2

Kyle ran into his house, slamming the door behind him. He threw his book bag on the floor and plopped on the couch. After six hours of playing Grand Larceny VII, he ate some pizza and fell asleep with a slice on his belly and his feet on his book bag. When Kyle came home from school the next day, he was noticeably distraught. He balled up his report card and placed it inside of a soup can in the garbage. He then flipped the soup can upside down and relocated the garbage from other parts of the can, arranging it over the soup can. He then plopped down on the couch and picked up his controller.

Why is Kyle distraught?

How do you know this?

Why does Kyle put the report card in a soup can?

Was Kyle's report card good or bad? Why was it like that?

Anastasia sat by the fountain in the park with her head in her palms. She was weeping mournfully and wearing all black. In between gasps and sobs, Anastasia cried out a name: "Oh...John..." And then her cell phone beeped. Her hand ran into her purse and her heart fluttered. The text message was from John. She opened up the message and read the few bare words, "I need to get my jacket back from you." Anastasia threw her head into her arms and continued sobbing.

What relationship do John and Anastasia have?

Why do you feel this way?

Why is Anastasia sad?

How do you know this?

Cassie rolled over in her bed as she felt the sunlight hit her face. The beams were warming the back of her neck when she slowly realized that it was a Thursday, and she felt a little too good for a Thursday. Struggling to open her eyes, she looked up at the clock. "9:48," she shouted, "Holy cow!" Cassie jumped out of bed, threw on the first outfit that she grabbed, brushed her teeth in two swipes, threw her books into her backpack, and then ran out the door.

What problem is Cassie having?

How do you know this?

Where is Cassie going?

How do you know this?

Kelvin was waiting in front of the corner store at 3:56. His muscles were tense and he was sweating a bit more than usual. The other kids gathered in front of the little storefront were much more relaxed, even playful. They joked back and forth lightly to each other but for Kelvin, time slowed. 3:57. "Don't worry, Kelvin. He ain't even gonna show up." Kelvin hoped that he wouldn't. A black four-door Camry with tinted windows pulled up and parked across the street. Kelvin gulped. 3:58. A group of teenagers piled out of the car. James was in the front. "Hi-ya, Kelvin. Glad you could make it," James said. Kelvin felt smaller.

Why is Kevin waiting at the corner store?

How do you know this?

Are James and Kelvin friends?

What in the text supports your idea?

Why is Kelvin so nervous?

What in the text supports your idea?

Many Americans like to eat Chinese food. They really look forward to the end of the meal when the fortune cookies are served. These folded-up cookies have messages in them. Some messages tell what the future will bring. Other messages give advice. Still others are just wise sayings. All the messages are written for Americans. Fortune cookies are never served in China. This story suggests that:

the messages are in Chinese

people in China can't read

fortune cookies are an American custom

people in China don't like cookies

Dalton twisted the handlebars from side to side, trying to keep the bicycle upright. His feet pumped the pedals, and as the bike picked up speed he found he could steer it much more easily. “Look, I’m doing it!” he shouted.
What do you know based on the text?

Dalton just learned to ride a bike.

Dalton just got a job delivering papers.

Dalton just got a new bike.

Dalton is very clumsy.

Inventors record their inventions with the U.S. government. The inventors hope that someone will buy their bright ideas. But some inventions are so strange that no one wants them. The government files show inventions for flying fire escapes. There are eyeglasses for chickens. There is even an alarm clock that hits you on the head with a piece of wood. The reader can infer that the inventions mentioned in the paragraph-

do not work

were turned down by the government

have been used in many places

did not make money