Here’s how to solve the “Making Inferences” worksheet based on the passage “The Volcano.” Since this is an inference activity, you need to use clues from the text and your own background knowledge to figure out what’s *not* directly stated.
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1. How do you think the explorers felt when they noticed the volcano erupting?
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Answer: The explorers likely felt terrified, panicked, and desperate to escape.
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How did you make this inference?
> The text says they screamed, “It’s erupting!” and “RUN!” — which shows fear and urgency. Also, they “sped down,” “raced toward safety,” and “sprinted” — these are actions people take when they’re scared and in danger. The description of ash, rock, heat, and a thunderous BOOM adds to the sense of danger, which would cause fear.
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2. Why do you think beads of sweat were dripping down their bodies?
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Answer: They were sweating because they were hiking up a steep, hot volcano — the physical exertion combined with high temperatures (possibly from the volcano itself) made them sweat.
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How did you make this inference?
> The text says they were “hiking to the highest ridge” — that’s hard work! It also mentions “beads of sweat were dripping down their bodies as they walked higher and higher,” which suggests physical strain. Volcanoes are often hot environments, so heat could also be a factor. Even though it doesn’t say “it was hot,” we can infer that climbing a volcano under the sun or near lava would make someone sweat.
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3. How do you think the explorers initially arrived at the volcano?
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Answer: They probably arrived by helicopter.
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How did you make this inference?
> The text says: “They just made it out in time! Up, up, up into the air they went.” This strongly suggests they escaped using a helicopter. Since they needed to get to the top of a dangerous volcano quickly and safely for research, it’s logical they used a helicopter to arrive — especially since helicopters can land in remote or difficult terrain like volcanic ridges. The fact that they escaped by helicopter implies they likely arrived by one too.
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✔ Summary of Inference Skills Used:
- Look for strong action words (“screamed,” “sprinted,” “raced”) to infer emotion.
- Connect physical descriptions (“sweat,” “heat”) to real-world causes (exertion, temperature).
- Use context clues at the end of the story to infer earlier events (if they left by helicopter, they likely came by one).
These answers show you’re thinking beyond the words on the page — exactly what “making inferences” means!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of making inferences worksheet 6th grade.
