MAP 5th Grade Reading

MAP 5th Grade Reading helps students build strong reading skills, understand complex texts, and apply reading strategies for success in school and life.

Basic Concepts

Making Inferences

What is an Inference?

Making an inference means using clues from the text and your own knowledge to figure out something that isn't directly stated. It's like being a reading detective!

How to Make Inferences

  • Read carefully and look for hints or clues.
  • Think about what you already know.
  • Combine clues from the story with your own experience to make a smart guess.

Why Inferences Are Important

Inferences help you understand characters' feelings, predict what will happen next, and get a deeper meaning from what you read.

Everyday Uses

You use inferences all the time! If you see someone with an umbrella, you might guess it's raining—even if you don't see the rain.

Examples

  • A story says, 'Samantha grabbed her backpack and ran to the door.' You can infer she's late for something.

  • The text says, 'The puppy's tail wagged as the boy entered.' You can infer the puppy is happy to see the boy.

In a Nutshell

Inferences are smart guesses based on clues and what you know.

Key Terms

Inference
A conclusion made using clues and prior knowledge.