Let's solve the inference questions based on the passage titled
"Behind the Doors". This is a reading comprehension exercise that asks you to make inferences — logical guesses based on evidence from the text.
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1. Why do you think the children were trying to be quiet?
Answer:
The children were trying to be quiet because they didn’t want to be discovered or caught while exploring the house, especially near the wardrobe. They might have been sneaking around after hours or doing something they weren't supposed to do.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference because the passage says, *"They crept through the house, trying hard to keep their footsteps silent."* The word "crept" suggests secrecy and caution, which implies they didn’t want anyone to know they were there. Also, they were going into a spare bedroom late at night (as we’ll see in question 2), so they likely wanted to avoid waking someone up.
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2. Do you think the story took place during the day or the night?
Answer:
The story took place at night.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference because the passage mentions *"glimmers of moonlight shone into the room,"* which only happens at night. Moonlight indicates it’s dark outside, and the fact that the children are moving quietly also supports that it's nighttime — people are usually asleep, and silence is more important then.
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3. How do you think the children felt before opening the doors?
Answer:
The children felt nervous, excited, and curious.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference from several clues in the text:
- *"Their hands were shaking, and their hearts were racing"* — these are physical signs of fear or excitement.
- *"They moved towards the ancient wardrobe, unsure what they would find inside but feeling curiously drawn towards it"* — this shows curiosity mixed with uncertainty.
- *"Both children took a deep breath in and quickly opened the doors"* — taking a deep breath is often done when someone is nervous or about to do something brave.
- *"The trembling children took a hesitant step..."* — "trembling" and "hesitant" show fear and nervousness, but they still went forward, showing eagerness.
So, they were scared but also very eager to explore, which makes sense for a mysterious discovery like a hidden world behind a wardrobe.
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✔ Summary of Inference Skills Used:
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Context clues: Words like “moonlight,” “crept,” “shaking,” “racing hearts” give hints.
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Cause and effect: Quiet footsteps → avoiding being noticed.
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Author’s tone and description: Emotional language reveals feelings.
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Logical reasoning: If it’s dark and moonlit, it must be night.
This passage is inspired by *The Chronicles of Narnia*, where the wardrobe leads to another world — but here, we’re focusing on making inferences from the details given.
Let me know if you'd like a version formatted for printing or student use!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of inference worksheet 8.
