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Reading Skills · Grades 2–5

How to Make Inferences While Reading

An inference is a reasonable idea a reader figures out from clues in the text and what the reader already knows. The text must support it.

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What children need to know first

  1. The author may not state every fact directly.
  2. A good inference combines a clue from the passage with a reasonable piece of background knowledge.

Step-by-step explanation

  1. Read the passage carefully.
  2. Find a clue the author gives.
  3. Add what you already know that fits the clue.
  4. Make a conclusion that follows from both.
  5. Point to the words that support your thinking.

Worked examples

An original short passage

Milo shook water from his umbrella and left it by the door. He hung his dripping coat on a hook. Outside, rain tapped against the windows.

Answer: Inference: Milo came inside from rainy weather. The wet umbrella and coat plus rain at the windows support the conclusion.

Separate clue from inference

Clue: Milo's coat is dripping. Background knowledge: rain makes clothes wet. Conclusion: he was likely outside in the rain.

Answer: Supported inference: Milo was outside in the rain. The conclusion uses a specific text clue and familiar knowledge; it does not claim more than the passage shows.

Text clue + what I know = supported inference.
Text clue + what I know = supported inference.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

  1. Guessing without a text clue. Point to words that support the conclusion.
  2. Treating a possible idea as certain when the passage does not prove it. Use ‘likely’ and stay close to the evidence.

Parent teaching tips

  1. Ask ‘What do you notice?’ then ‘What do you know that helps explain it?’
  2. Invite more than one inference when each one is supported by a clear clue.

Independent practice

  1. Passage: ?Lena zipped her jacket and pulled her hat low. She brushed white flakes from her sleeves.? What can you infer about the weather?
  2. Which words support the inference?

Practice answers

  1. It is likely cold and snowing; clues are her warm clothes and flakes.
  2. Hat, zipped jacket, white flakes.

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Practice this skill

Open the matching Grades 2–5 activity for Inference. You can print its worksheet with questions only or an answer key.

Start Inference practice · View the grade-level topic page