8th Class English Drawing Conclusions and Interference Drawing Conclusions and Inferences

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

DEFINITION

          When we read a text, the author does not always tell us everything. The author may leave out details on purpose. He may also depend on the reader’s general knowledge to fill in the blanks.

          Inference: an idea that is suggested by the facts or details in a passage.

          Conclusion: a decision about what may happen or about the result an event may have

          Making an inference and drawing a conclusion are very similar skills. Ach requires the reader to fill in the blanks left out by the author. An author may not include information for several reasons: they may think you already know it, it may not seem important to them, or they may want you to find the result.

How to make an inference or draw a conclusion

• Observe all the facts, arguments, and information given by the author
• Consider what you already know from you own experience
• When faced with multiple choice answers, determine whether each is true or false based on the information in the passage

Example

          The woman waited nervously in the line. When the counter was empty, she carefully unloaded her items from her cart. Lines creased her forehead as if to show the calculations ringing up in her head. Finally, the cashier began ringing up the items as the woman clutched her purse.

          Inference/ conclusion: The woman may not have enough money to cover the cost of her groceries

• Think about the fact of the passage and what may result from them
• Think about causes and effects

          The writer may only provide a list of effects, so you have to figure out the cause.

          The child stood on the sidewalk clenching her ice cream cone. Beads of sweat collected on her little nose as she furiously licked at the ice cream dripping down her hand.

          Inference/ conclusion: IT must be hot day because her ice cream is melting, and she is sweating.

• Try saying “If…. then"

          If the girl is sweating, then it may be warm outside.

Remember

• Most writing suggests more than it says
• By making inference, you get more from the story.
• Conclusions may be missing from the things you read, so you have to draw your own

PRACTICE ACTIVITIES

          Sujata almost wished that she hadn't listened to the radio. She went to the closet and grabbed her umbrella. She would feel silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.

1. What probably happened?

               (a) Sujata realised that she had an unnatural fear of falling radio parts.

               (b) Sujata had promised herself to do something silly that morning.

               (c) Sujata had heard a weather forecast that predicted rain.

               (d) Sujata planned to trade her umbrella for a bus ride.

"Larry, as your boss, I must say that it's been very interesting working with you," Miss Sharma said. "However, it seems that our company's needs and your performance style are not well matched. Therefore, it makes me very sad to have to ask you to resign your position effective today"

2. What was Miss Sharma telling Larry?

               (a) She would feel really bad if he decided to quit.

               (b) He was being fired.

               (c) He was getting a raise in pay.

               (d) She really enjoyed having him in the office.

Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing players for their teams. It was Jessica's turn to choose, and only Kurt was left. Jessica said, "Kurt."

3. We can infer that

               (a) Kurt is not a very good player.

               (b) Jessica was pleased to have Kurt on her team.

               (c) Kurt was the best player on either team.

               (d) Jessica was inconsiderate of Kurt's feelings.

MENDING

          A giant hand inside my chest

          Stretches out and takes

          My heart within its mighty grasp

          And squeezes till it breaks.

          A gentle hand inside my chest,

          With mending tape and glue,

          Patches up my heart until

          It's almost good as new.

          I ought to know by now that

          Broken hearts will heal again.

          But while I wait for glue and tape,

          The pain!

          The pain!

          The pain!

4. The poem is probably about

               (a) a woman,               (b) a man.

               (c) a broken heart,       (d) heart surgery.a

5. It can be inferred that the subject of the poem is

               (a) a lot of physical pain.

               (b) enjoying arts and crafts.

               (c) a good friend.

               (d) broken heart