Reading Skill - Quia

Reading 1

Reading Skill:

Making Inferences (a type of critical thinking)

Introductory Exercises

Joe Ratermann

Making Inferences

Making Inferences: Use information you have read to guess about information that is not explicit.

Examples of Inferences

A friend from Beijing is supposed to arrive by plane this afternoon. You hear that there is terrible thunder and lightning in Beijing today. Here is what you might infer:

? Planes will probably not be able to fly out of Beijing, and your friend won't come today

You read an article in the newspaper about tourism in Turkey. It says that the number of foreign visitors has increased greatly. You make an inference from this:

? Turkey might be a good place to look for a job in the tourism industry.

Making Inferences #1

Read the conversation. Make inferences to answer the questions. More than one answer may be possible.

A: Do you think it'll be late? B: Stop worrying, dear. It'll be just fine. A: But look at all that rain and wind. B: They didn't say anything when you checked in. A: I know, but the weather's getting worse. Let's go ask again. B: We don't need to. See, it says up there that your flight's on time. A: I'm sorry, honey. You know I don't like flying! And I'm nervous about my meeting. B: Why don't you take the train next time?

1. Where are they? 2. Who are these people?

1. At an airport 2. Probably husband and wife

3. What are they doing?

3. Waiting for A's flight. A is going on bus. trip

4. Do you think A is the husband or wife? 5. What can you infer about A? 6. What do you think will happen next?

4. Both answers are possible.

5. Worries a lot ? not sure of self. 6. Many possibilities: Everything fine, A fight starts between them, The flight will crash,, etc.

Making Inferences #2

Read the conversation. Make inferences to answer the questions. More than one answer may be possible.

A: Excuse me. Can you tell me what you think about this? B: Hmm. Well, the color is perfect on you. A: What about the style? B: It's very popular. We sell a lot of those. A: Does it look alright? It's so hard to find something that fits me right. B: It looks great on you. It looks great on everyone. A: You're sure it doesn't look a bit funny. I mean, the style's not too young for me? B: No-o-o. You look very nice. Really.

1. Who are these people? 2. Where are they? 3. What are they doing?

4. What can you infer about A? 5. What can you infer about B? 6. What do you think will happen next?

1. A: Customer B: Salesperson 2. In a clothing store

3. Woman is buying / Sales person is supportive

4. Older, insecure, needs others' opinions 5. Knows how to work with this type. 6. Many possibilities: Woman buys, decides not to, Sales lady gets upset, Customer gets upset,...

Making Inferences #3

A: I've got to tell you what happened yesterday. B: What? A: You know I had to stay late to finish that report? Well, I was here at my computer, and guess who came along ... Sheila! B: Sheila? You mean Sheila Gifford from the top floor? A: That's right. She went right into Paul's office with a big pile of papers and stayed in there for about an hour. B: You're kidding! A: No, I'm serious. I could hear them talking. When she came out, she gave me a strange look. I thought she was going to say something, but she went straight to the elevator. B: Oh, no. Do you think we've got bad news coming? A: Well, if Sheila's in it, anything's possible.

1. Who are these people? 2. Where are they? 3. What are they talking about?

4. Who do you think Paul is? 5. How do the speakers feel about Sheila? 6. What do you think will happen next?

1. Two employees (secretaries, perhaps) 2.At the place they work (or?) 3. An incident at work that A witnessed

4. Floor supervisor (or?) 5. They are intimidated (scared) of her (or?) 6. Many possibilities: A big announcement, etc ...

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