1. What does Mr. Johnson do for a living?
He is a farmer.
How do you know this?
The text states he "surveyed the field," that it was "well seeded," and that "He had seeded it himself." These actions are characteristic of someone who farms the land.
2. Why is Mr. Johnson cursing the sun?
Because the intense sun is causing a severe drought, which has dried out the soil and prevented his crops from growing.
How do you know this?
The passage says the sun is "cruel" and "drained the land of all moisture." The dirt is described as "bone dry, almost powdery," and "nothing sprang from the dirt," indicating his crops have failed due to lack of water caused by the sun.
3. Why does Mr. Johnson go to church at the end of the passage?
He goes to church to pray for rain or divine intervention, as he feels he has no other options left to save his failing crops.
How do you know this?
After surveying his barren field and realizing nothing has grown despite his efforts, he says, "Well, there's only one thing left to do," before heading to church. This implies he is turning to prayer as a last resort.
4. What is Warren doing?
Warren is taking out the trash.
How do you know this?
He is dragging a "heavy black plastic sack," which gets ripped, spilling "foul, odorous juice." He then walks to an alley and deposits the bag in a "large plastic container," which is consistent with disposing of garbage.
5. Why does Warren get so angry when the bag spills on his leg?
He is angry because the spilled contents are foul-smelling and have stained or soiled his pants.
How do you know this?
The text describes the spill as "foul, odorous juice" and notes Warren shouts "Ew... gross!" He is also "still muttering about his pants" after disposing of the bag, indicating his anger stems from his clothing being ruined.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of inferencing worksheet 8th grade.
