Worksheet for teaching inference skills with a story about a birthday surprise.

Here’s the solution to the “Making Inferences” worksheet, with clear explanations for each question:

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1. What do you think Jalisa was waiting for all night?

> Answer: Jalisa was waiting for her birthday to arrive — specifically, for Saturday, which is likely her birthday.

> Explanation: The text says she “had been waiting all night for Saturday to arrive.” This implies Saturday is a special day for her. Later, we see her brother gives her a gift (a doll in a box), and there are pancakes with a candle — both common birthday traditions. Also, the illustration at the bottom shows two children wearing party hats and exchanging a gift, which strongly supports the idea that it’s a birthday celebration. So, even though the word “birthday” isn’t used, we can infer it from the clues.

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2. How do you think Jalisa felt when she woke up?

> Answer: Jalisa felt excited, happy, and eager.

> Explanation: The text says she “woke up early and ran down the stairs with a huge smile on her face.” Running and smiling show excitement and joy. Also, she had been “waiting all night,” which suggests anticipation — a strong emotional buildup. These details help us infer her positive feelings upon waking.

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3. Why do you think Jalisa’s brother gave her the gift?

> Answer: He gave her the gift to celebrate her birthday and to make her happy.

> Explanation: Since it’s likely Jalisa’s birthday (as inferred in question 1), giving gifts is a common way to celebrate. Her brother chose a doll — something he probably knew she would love — and wrapped it nicely, showing thoughtfulness. When she hugs and kisses him, it shows she’s grateful and touched, confirming his intention was to make her feel special on her big day.

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✔ Summary of Inferences Made:
- We used context clues (waiting for Saturday, pancakes with candle, gift, party hats) to infer it’s a birthday.
- We used actions (running, smiling, hugging) to infer emotions (excitement, happiness).
- We used relationships and gestures (brother giving a thoughtful gift) to infer intentions (celebration, love).

This is what “making inferences” means — using clues in the text and pictures to figure out things that aren’t directly stated!

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Let me know if you’d like this turned into a printable answer sheet or adapted for younger learners!