Let's solve the inference questions based on the passage provided.
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Passage Summary:
Toby wants to be tucked into bed, but it’s still dark outside. His mother says it’s early and he’s tired. Toby glances at the Christmas tree with butterflies in his stomach. He runs down the hall to his room, and his mother follows. She tucks him in and kisses him. They talk about seeing each other in the morning, but Toby jumps out of bed when his mother leaves, runs to the window, looks across at the neighbor’s rooftops, sees stars gliding brightly in the sky, and realizes it’s fully dark now. He knows someone (likely Santa) will be arriving soon, and he is determined not to miss it.
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1. What day is it?
Answer: It is Christmas Eve.
Explanation:
The key clues that help us infer this are:
- "Toby glanced at the Christmas tree" → This indicates it's around Christmas time.
- "He would be here soon" → Refers to Santa Claus, who arrives on Christmas Eve.
- "It was fully dark now" → Suggests nighttime, which is when Santa is expected.
- "Stars were gliding brightly in the sky" → Adds to the magical atmosphere of a winter night before Christmas.
- Toby’s excitement and determination not to miss someone — all point to Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve.
So, even though the day isn't directly stated, the context strongly suggests
Christmas Eve.
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2. Who is Toby hoping not to miss?
Answer: Santa Claus.
Explanation:
The words that help us know:
- "He would be here soon" – This implies someone special is coming, and the context makes it clear it's Santa.
- "Toby was determined not to miss him" – The use of “him” refers back to the person mentioned earlier ("he would be here soon").
- The mention of the Christmas tree, darkness, stars, and anticipation are all classic signs of waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Thus, we can infer that Toby is excitedly waiting for
Santa Claus.
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✔ Final Answers:
1. What day is it?
Christmas Eve
*Words that helped you know:* "Christmas tree," "he would be here soon," "fully dark," "stars gliding brightly."
2. Who is Toby hoping not to miss?
Santa Claus
*Words that helped you know:* "he would be here soon," "determined not to miss him," "Christmas tree," "darkness," "excitement."
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This is an excellent example of making
inferences — using clues in the text to understand something not directly stated.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of inferential comprehension worksheet.
