All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify the time period implied: “She slid the cassette into the Walkman and pressed play.”
Answer: Late 20th century (pre-streaming era). Outdated technology references place the scene in an era before digital music dominance.
Flashcard 2: Identify the setting clue: “A gull shrieked as the salt wind snapped the sails.”
Answer: A coastal or ocean setting. Sensory details like gulls, wind, and sails evoke a seaside or maritime environment.
Flashcard 3: Identify the author’s likely stance: “The policy was announced with fanfare, then quietly abandoned.”
Answer: The author is skeptical or critical of the policy. Contrasting announcement and abandonment conveys doubt or disapproval toward the initiative.
Flashcard 4: Identify the implied relationship: “Mr. Chen ruffled Eli’s hair and said, ‘Proud of you.’”
Answer: Mr. Chen is a supportive adult figure to Eli. Affectionate actions and encouraging words imply a nurturing, positive dynamic between them.
Flashcard 5: Identify the safest inference: “Maya checked her watch twice and began pacing.”
Answer: Maya is anxious or in a hurry. The behaviors of checking and pacing suggest impatience or nervousness based on common interpretations.
Flashcard 6: What is the best definition of connotation as it relates to making inferences?
Answer: The implied emotional or cultural meaning of a word beyond its definition. Connotations provide emotional or cultural nuances that aid in inferring deeper textual meanings.
Flashcard 7: What is the most accurate definition of tone in a passage?
Answer: The author’s attitude toward the subject conveyed by language. Tone reflects the author's viewpoint as expressed through stylistic and linguistic choices.
Flashcard 8: What is the best clue type for inferring a narrator’s attitude toward a subject?
Answer: Word choice and tone (connotation). Connotative language in word selection reveals the narrator's underlying perspective on the topic.
Flashcard 9: What is the most reliable way to infer a character trait from a passage?
Answer: Use repeated actions, choices, or consistent dialogue as evidence. Patterns of behavior and speech provide consistent evidence for deducing character attributes.
Flashcard 10: What is the term for information a reader supplies from experience to connect clues?
Answer: Background knowledge (schema). Schema enables readers to link textual clues through their accumulated experiences and knowledge.
Flashcard 11: What is the term for a conclusion that goes beyond the text evidence?
Answer: An unsupported assumption (overreach). Such conclusions exceed the scope of textual evidence, introducing unsubstantiated ideas.
Flashcard 12: Identify the meaning implied by connotation: “The ‘slim’ chance of success kept them quiet.”
Answer: Success is unlikely. 'Slim' connotes minimal likelihood, implying low probability through word choice.
Flashcard 13: Identify the emotion implied: “She reread the email three times, then deleted her reply.”
Answer: She is uncertain or worried about responding. Repetitive review and deletion reflect hesitation or concern regarding the communication.
Flashcard 14: Identify the motive implied: “He lowered his voice when the manager walked by.”
Answer: He does not want the manager to hear what he is saying. Adjusting volume in response to the manager's presence suggests intent to maintain confidentiality.
Flashcard 15: Which inference is most supported: “The town square was empty; shutters were bolted before dusk.”
Answer: The residents fear danger or expect trouble at night. Early precautions and emptiness suggest collective anticipation of potential evening threats.
Flashcard 16: What is the best general rule for choosing a valid inference on a test?
Answer: Choose the conclusion most directly supported by multiple text clues. Valid inferences on tests rely on selecting options backed by several direct textual evidences.
Flashcard 17: Which evidence types most strongly support an inference: actions, dialogue, or opinions?
Answer: Actions and dialogue (observable evidence), not unsupported opinions. Observable behaviors like actions and dialogue offer reliable, concrete support for inferences, unlike subjective opinions.
Flashcard 18: What is the difference between an inference and a stated detail?
Answer: An inference is implied; a stated detail is explicitly written. Inferences require interpreting implied meanings, whereas stated details are directly expressed in the text.
Flashcard 19: Which inference is most justified: “He practiced nightly, yet avoided performing for friends.”
Answer: He lacks confidence or fears judgment. Dedication to practice contrasted with avoidance implies internal doubts or apprehensions.
Flashcard 20: Identify the implied meaning: “She answered with a smile that did not reach her eyes.”
Answer: Her smile is forced; she is not truly happy. The incomplete smile suggests insincerity, as it fails to convey authentic emotion.
Flashcard 21: What is the definition of an inference in reading comprehension?
Answer: A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text plus prior knowledge. Inferences integrate textual clues with the reader's existing knowledge to reach unstated conclusions.
Flashcard 22: Identify the implied theme: “They repaired the bridge together after the argument.”
Answer: Cooperation can restore relationships after conflict. Joint repair post-conflict symbolizes reconciliation through shared effort and collaboration.
Flashcard 23: Identify the likely audience: “As you will see in Figure 2, the data confirm our hypothesis.”
Answer: An academic or scientific audience. References to figures and hypotheses presume familiarity with formal research conventions.
Flashcard 24: Identify the implied cause: “After the thunderclap, the lights flickered and went out.”
Answer: The storm likely caused a power outage. Temporal sequence links the storm event to the subsequent electrical disruption.
Flashcard 25: Which inference is best: “The committee praised his ‘bold’ plan, then rejected it unanimously.”
Answer: The praise is likely insincere or politely dismissive. Quotation marks and rejection indicate ironic or superficial commendation without true endorsement.