Example page from a "Making Inferences" workshop showing dialogue-based exercises for reading comprehension practice.

Let’s go through each conversation one by one and figure out what we can infer — that means reading between the lines to understand what’s really going on, even if it’s not said directly.

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Conversation 1:

> A: Look at this long line! Do you think we’ll get in?
> B: Yes. Some of these people already have tickets.

Question 1: Where are these people?
→ They’re standing in a long line, and some already have tickets. That usually happens at places like movie theaters, concerts, or amusement parks. Since they’re waiting to “get in,” it’s likely an event or venue with entry control.
✔ Answer: At a ticketed event (like a concert, movie, or theme park).

Question 2: What are they trying to do?
→ They want to get inside whatever place or event the line is for. Person A is worried they won’t make it in because the line is long. Person B reassures them because some people ahead already have tickets — meaning the line is moving and they will probably get in too.
✔ Answer: Trying to get into an event or venue.

Question 3: Who are these people?
→ They’re members of the public waiting in line — probably fans, customers, or visitors. Not staff, since they don’t have tickets yet (except some).
✔ Answer: People waiting to enter an event (customers/fans/visitors).

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Conversation 2:

> A: Oh no, there goes the paper!
> B: Don’t worry. I’ll run after it.

Question 1: Where are these people?
→ The paper “goes” — meaning it blows away or falls. This usually happens outdoors where wind can carry paper. Could be street, park, sidewalk.
✔ Answer: Outside (probably on a windy day).

Question 2: What are they doing?
→ One person lost a piece of paper (maybe a flyer, note, or document), and the other offers to chase it. So they were likely walking or standing outside when the paper blew away.
✔ Answer: Walking or standing outside; one lost a paper, the other is helping retrieve it.

Question 3: Who are they talking about?
→ They’re talking about the paper — but the question says “who.” Maybe it’s a trick? Or maybe “the paper” refers to a newspaper, and they’re jokingly treating it like a person? But more likely, it’s just poor wording — they’re talking about the paper itself. If forced to say “who,” perhaps no one — it’s an object. But let’s assume it’s a typo and they mean “what.”
Wait — re-reading: “Who are they talking about?” — maybe they’re referring to someone else? No context suggests that. Best guess: It’s a mistake, and they meant “what.” But if we must answer “who,” then perhaps nobody — unless “the paper” is slang for a person? Unlikely. Let’s stick with:
✔ Answer: They’re talking about the paper (an object), not a person. Possibly a misworded question.

But to match school-level expectations: Maybe “they” refers to the two speakers, and “who are they talking about” means “who is the subject?” → Still the paper. Hmm. Alternatively, maybe “the paper” is a pet name? No evidence. Let’s go with:

✔ Final Answer for Q3: They’re talking about the paper — it’s not a person. (If teacher expects “nobody,” that’s fine too.)

Actually — looking again: In Conversation 2, Part B says “I’ll run after it.” “It” = the paper. So no person is being discussed. So:

✔ Answer: Nobody — they’re talking about a piece of paper.

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Conversation 3:

> A: This is one of the messiest I’ve seen working in a big city.
> B: I know. Every day the streets get dirtier. They don’t ever clean up off gas.
> C: You should see my apartment at night! There’s never any kind of gas.
> D: That’s terrible. My house smells great all the time.
> E: Let’s eat now. Maybe there’s some good music.
> F: Sorry, I’m stuck in something.
> G: We’d better call a taxi.
> H: Why don’t we stop here?

This one is messy — seems like multiple unrelated sentences. Probably meant to be separate mini-conversations? Let’s group logically.

Looking at flow:

A and B seem connected: talking about dirty streets in a big city.

C responds to B? But C talks about their apartment having “no gas” — which doesn’t connect to street dirtiness. Maybe “gas” here means fuel? Or smell? Confusing.

D says “my house smells great” — contrasting C’s apartment? But C said “never any kind of gas” — maybe meaning no cooking gas? Or no pollution?

E suddenly says “Let’s eat now. Maybe there’s some good music.” — new topic.

F: “Sorry, I’m stuck in something.” — could be traffic or literal sticking?

G: “We’d better call a taxi.” — suggests transportation issue.

H: “Why don’t we stop here?” — suggesting stopping somewhere.

This feels like scrambled dialogue. Maybe it’s supposed to be three separate conversations?

Let’s try grouping:

Group 1 (A, B): Talking about dirty city streets.

Group 2 (C, D): Talking about homes smelling bad/good — possibly related to gas (cooking gas? pollution?).

Group 3 (E, F, G, H): Planning to eat, someone is stuck, consider taxi, suggest stopping.

But the questions are:

Question 1: Where are these people?
→ From G (“call a taxi”) and H (“stop here”), they’re likely traveling — maybe in a car or on foot in a city. F says “stuck in something” — could be traffic. So probably in a vehicle or on a street in a city.
✔ Answer: In a city, possibly in a car or on the street.

Question 2: What are they trying to do?
→ E wants to eat and hear music. G suggests calling a taxi. H suggests stopping. F is stuck. So overall, they’re trying to get somewhere (to eat?), but facing obstacles (traffic, being stuck).
✔ Answer: Trying to get to a place to eat or relax, but having trouble getting there.

Question 3: Who are they talking about?
→ Again, “who”? They’re mostly talking about situations — dirty streets, smelly houses, being stuck. No specific person mentioned except themselves. Unless “they” in B (“They don’t ever clean up...”) refers to city workers? Then:

In B: “They don’t ever clean up off gas.” → “They” = city cleaners or authorities.

In C: “You should see my apartment...” → talking about self.

In D: “My house...” → self.

So no third party being discussed except possibly city workers in B.

But the question is “Who are they talking about?” — plural “they” might refer to the speakers, or others.

Best interpretation: In conversation 3, the main “they” referenced is in sentence B: “They don’t ever clean up...” — so city maintenance workers.

Also, in F: “I’m stuck in something” — not talking about anyone else.

So overall, they’re mostly talking about themselves or general situations. Only clear “they” is in B.

✔ Answer: Mostly talking about themselves or general things. In one part, “they” refers to city workers who don’t clean the streets.

But for simplicity in school context:

✔ Answer: They’re talking about themselves and the city conditions — not a specific person.

Alternatively, if forced to pick: City workers (from B).

Let’s go with:

✔ Answer: City workers (in one part), otherwise themselves.

But to keep it simple:

✔ Final Answer for Q3: They’re mainly talking about themselves and the situation around them.

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Now compiling final answers clearly:

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Conversation 1:

1. Where are these people? → At a ticketed event (concert, movie, etc.)
2. What are they trying to do? → Get into the event
3. Who are these people? → Fans or customers waiting in line

Conversation 2:

1. Where are these people? → Outside (windy area)
2. What are they doing? → One lost a paper, the other is helping get it back
3. Who are they talking about? → The paper (not a person) — or nobody

Conversation 3:

1. Where are these people? → In a city, possibly in a car or on the street
2. What are they trying to do? → Get to a place to eat or relax, but having trouble
3. Who are they talking about? → Themselves and city conditions (or city workers)

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Final Answer:

Conversation 1:
1. At a ticketed event (like a concert or movie theater)
2. Trying to get into the event
3. Customers or fans waiting in line

Conversation 2:
1. Outside (on a windy day)
2. Retrieving a blown-away piece of paper
3. They’re talking about the paper — not a person

Conversation 3:
1. In a city, likely in a vehicle or on the street
2. Trying to reach a destination (to eat or listen to music) but facing delays
3. Mainly themselves and the city environment (or city workers in one comment)