practice & assess reading · practice & assess reading making inferences practice level a!...

Practice & Assess Reading Making Inferences

©2015 erin cobb imlovinlit.com Practice Level A 2

Name __________________________

Read each short passage and answer the question that follows. Then, explain the background knowledge you used to figure out the answer.

(A) The Canadian province of Quebec was originally settled by French fur traders. Eventually, cities grew to support the fur trade. As a result, other industries (such as logging) became the main source of income for residents.

____ 1. Based on this passage, you can infer that some residents of Quebec may speak which language?

a. French b. Spanish c.  English

2. What background knowledge did you use to determine the answer?

(B) Carrots are an excellent source of retinol. Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A and is essential for good vision and strong teeth. It is often found in foods such as eggs, liver, and fish. For vegetarians, the best source of retinol is carrots.

____ 3. Based on this passage, what can you infer about the amount of retinol in eggs, liver, and fish?

a. It is the same or greater than the amount in carrots. b. It is less than the amount in carrots. c. Eggs, liver, and fish do not contain retinol.




(C) Emily and Molly both auditioned for a singing role in a musical. Emily landed a spot in the musical, but Molly did not.

____ 5. The reader can reasonably infer: a. The directors thought Molly was a better singer than Emily. b. The directors thought Emily was a better singer than Molly. c. Neither Emily nor Molly had a chance to sing during the auditions.


(D) Tim and Liam both glanced around the room nervously as the teacher handed back the graded tests. The teacher handed Liam his test and smiled. The teacher handed Tim his test and asked, “What happened?”

____ 7. The reader can reasonably infer: a. Liam did not do well on the test. b. Tim did not do well on the test. c. Tim was not in school on the day of the test.


(E) Katie slammed her math textbook closed and crumpled up the piece of paper she was working on. “Ugh!” she said.

____ 9. Based on this passage, what can you infer about Katie? a. Katie enjoys math. b. Katie is having difficulty with math. c. Katie has finished her math homework.




(F) Trudy looked down; the sound of everyone’s laughter burned in her ears. She felt her face grow warm and knew she was turning red. She wished she could just walk out of the classroom.

____ 11. Based on this description, what can the reader infer? a. Trudy is embarrassed. b. Trudy is new in school. c. Trudy is very angry.


(G) Casey loved this time of year. She loved the bright red leaves on the trees, piles of leaves on sidewalks, and the decorated pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns showing up on people’s steps and porches.

____ 13. What season can the reader infer it is? a. spring b. summer c.  autumn


(H) Sammy was promoted from third to fifth grade. The teachers at his school decided he did not have to attend fourth grade at all.

____ 15. The reader can infer: a. Sammy did not attend second grade. b. Sammy will not have to go through sixth grade. c. Sammy did extremely well in the third grade.




(I) Jonas loved going to the zoo. He especially loved visiting his favorite animal. He thought its spotted coat was beautiful and found its long, long neck very graceful. He was always amazed when one walked close to him or stretched out to eat the leaves at the top of a tree.

____ 17. The reader can infer that Jonas’s favorite animal is a(n) ____________. a.  elephant b.  giraffe c. tiger


(J) Timmy flicked the light switch on and off, but nothing happened. He tried to turn on his TV, but it wouldn’t come on either. He began to worry because soon it would be dark and he was in the house alone.

____ 19. Based on this description, what can the reader infer? a. Timmy’s parents are on vacation. b. Timmy is not in his own house. c. The power has gone out.



©2015 erin cobb imlovinlit.com Assessment Level A 6

(A) Martin’s little brother looked at the new bike a bit apprehensively. “Are you sure I won’t get hurt?” he asked Martin. Martin replied, “Oh, you might fall once or twice, but you’ll be okay. Just wear your helmet.” Martin’s little brother looked up at him, “And you will hold onto it so it doesn’t fall over?” Martin nodded.

____ 1. From this excerpt, what can the reader infer? a. Martin’s little brother doesn’t trust him. b. Martin is learning to ride a bicycle. c. Martin’s little brother is learning to ride a bicycle.


(B)  When Sue walked into the house, all of her friends jumped out and yelled “Surprise!” She saw a stack of brightly wrapped gifts on the table, along with a cake with ten candles on it. Colorful balloons were tied to all of the chairs.

____ 3. Based on this description, which of the following is a reasonable inference? a. It is Sue’s birthday. b. Sue is visiting her grandmother. c. It is a family reunion.


Read each short passage and answer the question that follows. Then, explain the background knowledge you used to figure out the answer.



(C) Charles let his dog, Roscoe, into the house. Roscoe ran over to his food bowl and wildly began to wag his tail.

____ 5. The reader can reasonably infer: a. Charles was not supposed to let Roscoe into the house yet. b. Roscoe is a golden retriever. c. Roscoe is hungry.


(D) The teacher told the children to clear everything but a pencil from their desks. She then began handing out tests. Thomas look startled. “Wait! Ms. Smith? The test is today? Are you sure? I thought it was tomorrow!”

____ 7. Which of the following statements can the reader infer? a. Ms. Smith lied to the students about the test. b. Thomas did not study for this test. c. Thomas will get the lowest grade in the class.


(E) Lauren sat in the lobby of her apartment building watching people come in from the street. Almost everyone who came in was carrying an umbrella. Those who weren’t, she observed, had wet hair and soaking wet coats.

____ 9. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? a. Lauren lives on the first floor. b. It is raining outside. c. Lauren’s parents told her to wait for them in the lobby.




(F) A letter came in the mail for Michelle. Michelle’s mother showed it to her and told her she was very disappointed. “Think about the other people who are waiting for that book. You must return it immediately.”

____ 11. The reader can reasonably infer that the letter came from: a. a hospital b. the police c. the library


(G) Tyler heard loud sirens and watched as a bright red engine sped down the street in front of his house. In the distance, he could see smoke rising into the sky.

____ 13. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? a. Someone is being arrested on Tyler’s street. b. Someone has been injured on Tyler’s street. c. There is a fire on Tyler’s street.


(H) Dylan was surprised when he saw Jason come into the classroom with a cast on his arm. He had seen Jason fall off his bike the day before, but he didn’t realize the injury was so serious.

____ 15. Based on this excerpt, which of the following can the reader infer? a. Jason broke his arm when he fell off his bike. b. Jason broke his leg when he fell off his bike. c. Jason had surgery recently.




(I) Carly and her mom watched the large van truck drive away slowly. Then, they walked through the empty rooms of the house one last time before getting into the car and leaving.

____ 17. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? a. Carly’s house has been robbed. b. Carly and her mom are moving. c. Carly doesn’t know where they are going.


(J) Tracy looked around the classroom but didn’t see her friend Melissa anywhere. “Hmmm…” she thought. “Melissa was coughing a lot yesterday and said she had a sore throat.”

____ 19. The reader can reasonably infer which of the following statements? a. Melissa has moved away. b. Melissa doesn’t want to be friends with Tracy anymore. c. Melissa is ill and stayed home today.



©2015 erin cobb imlovinlit.com 10

Level A, Grades 4-5

Practice 1 a

2 I know some people in Canada speak French.

3 a

4 Vegetarians don’t eat meat.

5 b

6 I know judges and directors give spots to the best for the role.

7 a

8 Teachers do that when you flunk a test.

9 b

10 My brother does that when he’s frustrated.

11 a

12 This is what happens when I get embarrassed.

13 c

14 I’ve seen these things in autumn.

15 c

16 You have to be super smart to skip a grade.

17 b

18 These things all describe a giraffe.

19 c

20 This is what happens when the power goes out.

Assessment 1 c

2 I was nervous when I learned to ride a bike, and my dad told me similar things.

3 b

4 When it’s your birthday, someone puts candles on your cake.

5 c

6 My dog waits by his food bowl when he is hungry, too.

7 b

8 I would panic just like Thomas if I hadn’t studied for a test.

9 b

10 If you don’t use an umbrella in the rain, you’ll get soaking wet.

11 c

12 If you don’t return a library book, the library will call you or mail a notice.

13 c

14 A fire engine comes when there is a fire; smoke means there’s a fire somewhere.

15 a

16 When people break their arm, they get a cast on it.

17 b

18 A moving truck takes your things to a new house.

19 c

20 When I cough, sometimes I get a sore throat and have to miss school.

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practice & assess reading · practice & assess reading making inferences practice level a!...

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