Making inferences: Exercises

This is sometimes called “reading between the lines”.

When inferring you go beyond what is stated explicitly in the text to infer the intended message by paying attention to certain “clues”.

In order to infer meaning, you must combine the information that the author has written with your reading and life experiences.

When you read a text, think of it as a WORD PICTURE . You must consider:

• The setting.

• A Character’s Personality or Emotions.

• What a Character’s Motives Might Be.

• What the Writer’s Motives behind writing the piece might be…

Look at the picture…

1.- Who are they?

2.- Where are they?

3.- Why the woman says that?

Look at the picture…

1.- What do they have invented?

2.- Why the cavemen have bruises and bandages?

3.- What are they feeling?

Look at the picture…

1.- What has happened?

2.- Can you explain the reason why they have to invent lawyers?

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

1.- Who is the main character of the story?

a.) A man.

b.) A woman.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

2.- Where is this woman?

a.) In the city.

b.) On the beach.

c.) In the countryside.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

3.- What time of day is it?

a.) At dawn.

b.) In the night.

c.) At sunset.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

4.- As she approaches, what does she see?

a.) That someone has prepared a romantic picnic for her.

b.) That someone has washed the dishes.

c.) That she has prepared a romantic picnic for someone.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

5.- Will she spend the evening alone?

a.) Yes.

b.) No.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

6.- Is she happy and touched by that gentle gesture?

a.) Yes.

b.) No.

The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun. She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.

7.- What can we assume about the personality of the man who planned

this?

a.) He is romantic and caring.

b.) He is not romantic.