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Inference, summarising and using evidence

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Lesson notes

What is Inference?

  • Inference means working out something that is not written directly in the text, using clues from the text and your own knowledge.
  • It's like being a detective: you look for clues (words, actions, or details) and then make a smart guess.
  • For example, if a character 'stomped' and 'frowned', you can infer they are angry, even if the text doesn't say 'angry'.
  • Inference helps you understand characters' feelings, the writer's viewpoint, and what might happen next.

Retrieval vs. Inference

  • Retrieval means finding an answer that is stated directly in the text, like a fact or a name.
  • Inference means finding an answer that is not stated, but you can work it out from clues.
  • For example, if the text says 'The dog barked loudly', retrieval: 'What did the dog do?' – 'barked'. Inference: 'How did the dog feel?' – maybe excited or scared.
  • Always ask: 'Is this in the text, or am I reading between the lines?'

Using Evidence

  • Evidence is a detail or quotation from the text that supports your answer.
  • When you make an inference, you must back it up with evidence: 'I think this because...'
  • Choose the strongest evidence – the part that most clearly supports your point.
  • Explain how the evidence supports your idea: 'The word "trembled" shows he was scared.'

Summarising

  • Summarising means retelling the main points of a text in a few sentences, in your own words.
  • A summary should be short and include only the most important ideas.
  • Do not add your own opinion or extra details in a summary.
  • To summarise, first find the main idea, then pick the key details that support it.

Finding the Main Idea

  • The main idea is the most important point the writer wants to tell you.
  • It is often found in the first or last paragraph, but sometimes you have to work it out.
  • Supporting details are the smaller pieces of information that explain or prove the main idea.
  • Ask yourself: 'What is this text mostly about?' to find the main idea.

Predicting

  • Predicting means making a sensible guess about what will happen next in a story.
  • Use clues from what has already happened, plus your own experience, to predict.
  • For example, if a character is about to open a door and hears a growl, you might predict a dog is behind it.
  • Predictions should be logical and based on evidence, not wild guesses.

Reading Between the Lines

  • Reading between the lines means understanding what is implied but not directly said.
  • Writers often show feelings through actions, dialogue, or descriptions, not by telling you directly.
  • For example, 'She slammed the book shut' implies she is frustrated or angry.
  • Practice by asking: 'What is the writer really trying to say here?'

Skills for Good Comprehension

  • Good readers use many skills together: summarising, inferring, predicting, and questioning.
  • Questioning the text (like 'Why is this important?') helps you understand better.
  • Visualising (making pictures in your head) can help you remember and understand.
  • Connecting the text to your own knowledge makes it easier to infer and summarise.

Why These Skills Matter

  • These skills help you understand what you read more deeply, not just the words.
  • They are used in all subjects, not just English – for example, in science and history.
  • Practising them makes you a stronger, more confident reader.
  • They also help you enjoy stories more, because you understand the hidden meanings.

Slides

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.What is the meaning of 'retrieval' in reading?

    Easy
    • AAn answer that is stated directly in the text
    • BAn answer you work out from clues
    • CA summary of the text
    • DA prediction about what happens next
  2. 2.Which of these is an example of inference?

    Easy
    • AThe sky is blue.
    • BThe character is sad because the text says she cried.
    • CThe book has 200 pages.
    • DThe main character's name is Sam.
  3. 3.Summarising a text means including your own opinion about it.

    Easy

    True or false?

  4. 4.Which of the following are reading comprehension skills? (Select all that apply)

    Easy
    • ASummarizing
    • BInferencing
    • CColoring
    • DSequencing
    • EComparing and contrasting
  5. 5.Match each term to its definition.

    Easy
    • Retrieval
    • Inference
    • Summary
    • An answer stated directly in the text
    • An answer worked out from clues
    • A short retelling of the main points
  6. 6.Put these steps for summarising a text in the correct order.

    Medium
    • Read the text carefully.
    • Identify the main idea.
    • List the key supporting details.
    • Write a short paragraph using your own words.
  7. 7.Read this sentence: 'The old man shuffled slowly across the room, his eyes fixed on the letter in his trembling hands.' What can you infer about the old man?

    Medium
    • AHe is feeling happy and excited.
    • BHe is feeling nervous or worried.
    • CHe is feeling angry.
    • DHe is feeling sleepy.
  8. 8.In the sentence 'She was over the moon when she got the job,' what does the phrase 'over the moon' mean?

    Medium
    • AShe was jumping on the moon.
    • BShe was very happy.
    • CShe was very tired.
    • DShe was confused.

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