INFERENCES

Fun for everyone

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”?

Exploration: answers

What do these words mean?

– Jagged

– Queer

– Parting

What does the ending indicate as to the role of the “animals” in the “zoo”?

Exploration: answers

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.

Can you infer anything?

Inferring the meaning of a word

analyze the word

– Suffixes (Delightful)

– Prefixes (Insufficient)

– Words inside the word (honeycomb)

read before and after the word (2 sentences)– May provide clues as to what the author is

communicating

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.

Inferring the meaning of a word

think of another context in which you’ve heard the word– Scene (CSI), Gully (Ferngully)

Inferring the meaning of a word

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

Inferring the answer to a question

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 ...

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.

Inferring the answer to a question

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?

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.

Let’s try it! : Answers