1. INFERENCES
Fun for everyone

2. Exploration Read the story “Zoo” on page 131 from crossroads.
What do these words mean?
jagged, queer, parting
What does the ending indicate as to the role of the “animals” in the “zoo”?

3. Exploration: answers
What do these words mean?
Jagged
Queer
Parting

4. Exploration: answers
What does the ending indicate as to the role of the “animals” in the “zoo”?

5. What is an inference?
It is when you must infer or deduce the meaning from a text.
You use clues to figure out what the author doesn’t tell you.
You can infer the meaning of a word, or the answer to a question.

6. Can you infer anything?

7. Inferring the meaning of a word
analyze the word
Suffixes (Delightful)
Prefixes (Insufficient)
Words inside the word (honeycomb)

8. Inferring the meaning of a word
read before and after the word (2 sentences)
May provide clues as to what the author is communicating

9. Inferring the meaning of a word
say the sentence in you own words
The propinquity of the events was alarming
The events happened in a short amount of time. It was scary.

10. Inferring the meaning of a word
think of another context in which you’ve heard the word
Scene (CSI), Gully (Ferngully)

11. Examples
This year, as the great round ship settled slowly to earth in the huge tri-city parking area just outside of Chicago, they watched with awe as the sides slowly slid up to reveal the familiar barred cages. In them was some wild breed of nightmare-small, horse like animals that moved with quick, jerking motions and constantly chattered in a high-pitched tongue. The citizens of Earth clustered around as Professor Hugo’s crew quickly collected the waiting dollars.

12. Inferring the answer to a question
Look at the interrogative word for clues as to what they are looking for.
What: a person, animal, thing
Where: place
When: time
Etc…

13. Inferring the answer to a question
Find a search word.
The word should be the main theme of the question.
Example: Which character loves hockey?

14. Inferring the answer to a question
Whenever possible, write an answer beginning with if and including then.
Example: If John is always concerned with the sports scores from the night before, and always wears his jersey, then he probably loves hockey.

15. Inferring the answer to a question
You should have a link word in your answer.
Example: If John is always concerned with the sports scores from the night before, and always wears his jersey, then he probably loves hockey. Furthermore, the other characters do not show any interest in the sport.

16. Link words
to begin with, to start with, as an introduction, first and foremost...
besides, moreover, furthermore, what is more
in addition to... , not to mention ... , not only ... but also ...
but, yet, though, still, nevertheless, nonetheless, actually, conversely
although, though, whereas
unlike ..., instead of ... , despite ... , in spite of ..., for all …
on the contrary, on the other hand, by contrast, in fact, The fact is (that) ...
to my mind, in my opinion, as far as I'm concerned, as I see it, personally, I think, As far as I'm concerned, the text ... To my mind, ... In my opinion, ... My opinion is that ... My personal point of view is that ... Now, I'd like to say what I think about... I'm going to express my own point of view about ...

17. Inferring the answer to a question
Finally, check your answers!
Reread the question and then your answer.
Which character loves hockey?
If John is always concerned with the sports scores from the night before, and always wears his jersey, then he probably loves hockey. Furthermore, the other characters do not show any interest in the sport.

18. Let’s try it!
Do you think Professor Hugo is a human from earth, or another sort of being altogether? Explain why.
I’m looking for?
Search word?

19. Let’s try it! : Answers
If the professor wears a top hat and a cape, then he is probably a human being. Furthermore, he peaks English, and has hands. Finally, if he were an extraterrestrial, the visitors to the zoo would be shocked by his appearance and the author would have included a description of him.