Making Inferences: A Lesson from China
Let's solve each question based on the story and explain how we make inferences (logical guesses) using clues from the text.
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1. How do you think Kathy felt during her first year of school?
Answer:
Kathy likely felt lonely, sad, and maybe a little scared during her first year of school.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference because the story says she found it difficult to make friends due to the language barrier and that she spent a lot of time alone without anyone else to talk to. These details suggest she was isolated and may have felt left out or upset.
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2. Why do you think Kathy had to work harder than the other students when learning to read and write?
Answer:
Kathy had to work harder because she moved to Australia at age six and didn’t speak English when she started school. She was learning a new language while also learning to read and write, which is more challenging than for children who already know the language.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference because the story mentions the “language barrier” and that she moved to Australia at six years old—meaning she wasn’t fluent in English. Since reading and writing depend on knowing the language, it makes sense that she needed to work harder than her classmates.
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3. Do you think Kathy’s friend enjoyed sharing Kathy’s lunch?
Answer:
Yes, I think Kathy’s friend enjoyed sharing Kathy’s lunch.
How did you make this inference?
I made this inference because the story says the two girls became best friends and ended up sharing lunch for the rest of the year. If the friend didn’t enjoy it, she probably wouldn’t have continued sharing lunches. The fact that they kept doing it suggests the friend liked it and appreciated Kathy’s kindness.
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✔ Summary of Inference Skills Used:
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Looking for clues in the text (e.g., "spent a lot of time alone", "language barrier").
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Using context to understand feelings and motivations (e.g., becoming best friends implies mutual enjoyment).
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Connecting actions to emotions (e.g., sharing food leads to friendship → positive experience).
This worksheet teaches students to go beyond what’s directly stated and use logic and evidence to understand deeper meanings — that’s what making inferences is all about!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of making inference worksheet 4th grade.
