Inferences Worksheets | Reading Activities - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one. We’ll read the passage carefully, find clues in the text, and use those clues to make logical guesses (inferences). Remember: an inference is not directly stated — you have to figure it out from what’s written.

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Passage 1: Mr. Johnson

> Mr. Johnson looked up at the sky. It was clear as far as the eye could see, except for the cruel sun. The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture. He cursed the sun. Mr. Johnson ran his fingers through one of the rows of dirt and grabbed a handful. It was bone dry, almost powdery. He let the dirt sift through his fingers and it turned to dust in the wind. Mr. Johnson put his hands on his hips and surveyed the field. It was well seeded, that he knew. He had seeded it himself, yet nothing sprang from the dirt. "Well, there's only one thing left to do," he said to himself. Mr. Johnson headed to church.

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Question 1: What does Mr. Johnson do for a living?

Think about what he’s doing:
- He’s looking at a field.
- He talks about “rows of dirt” — that sounds like farm rows.
- He says he “seeded it himself” — farmers plant seeds.
- Nothing grew because the soil was too dry.

So, he’s probably a farmer.

✔ Final Answer for Q1: He is a farmer.

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How do you know this?

The text says:
- He surveyed “the field.”
- He mentions “rows of dirt” — typical of farming.
- He says, “He had seeded it himself” — planting seeds is what farmers do.
- He’s worried nothing grew — which matters to someone whose job depends on crops.

✔ Final Answer for Q1 Explanation: Because he talks about seeding a field, checking rows of dirt, and being upset that nothing grew — these are things a farmer would do.

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Question 2: Why is Mr. Johnson cursing the sun?

Look at what the sun did:
- “The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture.”
- The dirt was “bone dry, almost powdery.”
- Nothing grew even though he planted seeds.

He’s angry because the sun made the ground too dry for plants to grow.

✔ Final Answer for Q2: Because the sun dried up all the water in the soil, so his crops won’t grow.

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How do you know this?

Text clues:
- “The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture.” → Sun took away water.
- “It was bone dry... turned to dust” → No water = no growth.
- He seeded the field but “nothing sprang from the dirt” → Crops failed because of dryness caused by sun.

✔ Final Answer for Q2 Explanation: The text says the sun drained all moisture from the land, making the dirt so dry that nothing could grow — that’s why he’s mad at the sun.

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Question 3: Why does Mr. Johnson go to church at the end of the passage?

He says: “Well, there’s only one thing left to do,” then goes to church.

What else can he do? His crops aren’t growing. He’s tried everything. Maybe he’s going to pray for rain or help.

In many stories, when people feel helpless, they turn to prayer or faith.

✔ Final Answer for Q3: He’s going to pray for rain or for help with his crops.

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How do you know this?

Clues:
- He’s frustrated — nothing grew despite his work.
- He says “only one thing left to do” — implies he’s out of options.
- Going to church often means praying, especially in tough times like droughts.
- In old-fashioned or rural settings, farmers might pray for rain.

✔ Final Answer for Q3 Explanation: Since he’s done everything he can and still has no crops, going to church likely means he’s going to pray for rain or divine help — it’s his last hope.

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Passage 2: Warren

> Warren pushed the back door open with his elbow. He was dragging a heavy black plastic sack behind him. Thud, thud, thud. The bag thumped each stair Warren descended. Thud, thud, rip, drip, drip. The bag had gotten caught on a nail and a foul, odorous juice poured out, splashing Warren's leg. "Ew... gross!" Warren shouted as he adjusted the bag. He walked out to the alley and deposited the bag in a large plastic container, closing the lid behind him as he left, still muttering about his pants.

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Question 4: What is Warren doing?

Let’s break down his actions:
- Dragging a heavy black plastic sack.
- Going down stairs → probably from inside a building.
- Bag rips, smelly liquid spills → suggests garbage or waste.
- Takes it to an alley and puts it in a large plastic container with a lid → that’s a dumpster or trash bin.

So, he’s taking out the trash.

✔ Final Answer for Q4: He is taking out the trash.

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How do you know this?

Text clues:
- “Heavy black plastic sack” — common for garbage bags.
- “Foul, odorous juice” — smells like rotting food or trash.
- “Deposited the bag in a large plastic container” — that’s a dumpster.
- “Closing the lid” — dumpsters have lids.
- “Muttering about his pants” — got dirty from trash spill.

✔ Final Answer for Q4 Explanation: He’s carrying a smelly, leaking bag to a dumpster in the alley — that’s exactly what you do when taking out the trash.

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Question 5: Why does Warren get so angry when the bag spills on his leg?

He shouts: “Ew... gross!” and later mutters about his pants.

The spill was:
- “Foul, odorous juice” → smells bad.
- Probably sticky or staining.
- Got on his clothes → now he has to clean them or deal with the mess.

People get angry when something disgusting ruins their clothes or makes them uncomfortable.

✔ Final Answer for Q5: Because the smelly, gross liquid ruined his pants and made him feel disgusted.

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How do you know this?

Text clues:
- He yells “Ew... gross!” right after the spill → shows disgust.
- He adjusts the bag and keeps muttering about his pants → still bothered by it.
- The juice was “foul” and “odorous” → unpleasant smell and feeling.
- Getting dirty clothes is frustrating, especially if you’re already doing a chore.

✔ Final Answer for Q5 Explanation: The spilled liquid smelled terrible and stained his pants — that’s why he’s angry. Nobody likes getting gross stuff on their clothes!

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Final Answer:

1. He is a farmer.
How do you know this? Because he talks about seeding a field, checking rows of dirt, and being upset that nothing grew — these are things a farmer would do.

2. Because the sun dried up all the water in the soil, so his crops won’t grow.
How do you know this? The text says the sun drained all moisture from the land, making the dirt so dry that nothing could grow — that’s why he’s mad at the sun.

3. He’s going to pray for rain or for help with his crops.
How do you know this? Since he’s done everything he can and still has no crops, going to church likely means he’s going to pray for rain or divine help — it’s his last hope.

4. He is taking out the trash.
How do you know this? He’s carrying a smelly, leaking bag to a dumpster in the alley — that’s exactly what you do when taking out the trash.

5. Because the smelly, gross liquid ruined his pants and made him feel disgusted.
How do you know this? The spilled liquid smelled terrible and stained his pants — that’s why he’s angry. Nobody likes getting gross stuff on their clothes!