Page 106 - Starting Strong: English Essentials

1. Reading

Making Inferences about a Past Holiday

In this section, you are going to learn how to fully understand the writer's intended meaning in a text
about a past holiday. Use the following reading strategy.

Making Basic Inferences Using Clues and Background Knowledge

When we read, sometimes we need to make inferences to fully understand the text. The writer
might not always tell us everything, so we need to figure out some things for ourselves. Here are
some ways to make inferences:

Look for → Clues in the text can help you figure out what the author is trying to say.
clues and Then, put the clues together to make a conclusion.
put them Example text:
together We wore jackets and scarves when we walked around the market. My hands
were so cold. I had to hold a cup of hot tea to warm them up.
Example question:
What can you infer about the weather?
Clue from the text:
"jacket and scarves”, “hands were cold”
Answer:
It was cold.
Use your → Inference questions should always be based on clues that you find in the text.
background However, your background knowledge will help you understand and connect
knowledge those clues.
Example text:
We woke up at 4 a.m. and left the hotel when it was still dark outside. By the time
we reached the top of the hill, the sky had turned orange and pink.
Example question:
Why did the people leave the hotel so early?
Clue from the text:
"woke up at 4 a.m.", "left when it was still dark", "the sky had turned orange and
pink"
Background knowledge:
The sky changes colors during sunrise. People often wake up early to see it from
a special place like a hill.
Answer:
To see the sunrise.

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