Inferences and Conclusions Worksheets

Inferences and Conclusions seem similar because they come from the same sources and mechanisms. Both of these skills require the details available and combining them with the readers’ prior knowledge. However, an inference is a guess that the reader makes, while a conclusion is a judgment based on the facts and details gathered.

See the fact file below for more information on ELA, Inferences, and Conclusion or you can download our 27-page Inferences and Conclusion worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom.

Key Facts & Information

MAKING INFERENCES

• An inference is a process of determining a piece of information that is not given in a particular situation or text. 
• In some situations, whether in reading a text, watching a movie, or observing events, there are pieces of information of specific details that are not given directly. In this case, the person needs to figure it out. 
• As a reader or observer, it is sometimes hard to come up with an answer immediately, but this does not mean that it is a dead end, for other means can be utilized to arrive at a conclusion and complete the information.
• The other details available can actually help you come up with an answer.
• In order to make a logical inference, you can combine these details with your prior knowledge. 
• Prior knowledge, also known as schema, refers to the information that someone has about a particular topic.
• Details, on the other hand, in the form of descriptions, illustrations, examples, etc., can serve as clues to either support or contradict what your existing knowledge tells you.
• If these two facets work together, you can arrive at a logical or valid inference about information that is not directly stated.

clue + prior knowledge = inference

MAKING INFERENCES IN READING

• In reading, there are times when the reader encounters missing information, whether it is fictional or non-fictional material. 
• Now is the time when making inferences comes in because these pieces of information need to be satisfied to understand the text fully.
• But this is not a problem, for the clues in the text can be used to support or debunk the prior knowledge that a reader has.
• Take note of the passage below.
• Cherry went home and immediately tossed her bag on the couch. Then, a piece of paper slipped out, and when she checked it, she just shook her head, looked up, and crumpled the paper. After a deep sigh, she went to the nearest trash bin and threw away the crumpled paper. Now she is deeply worried that she has screwed up her grades this term once again.

  What paper did Cherry throw in the trash bin?

INFERENCES CLUES:

The paper could be a test paper with a failing score.

• Gestures such as shaking the head, looking up, sighing, crumpling, and throwing away the paper.
• Thoughts such as screwing up her grades this term.

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

• Since one of the details mentioned her grades, it is probably schoolwork. It is a piece of paper on which she gave a worried reaction, so maybe, it is an examination result or an issue that will affect her grades.
• In this example, it is not directly stated that Cherry had an exam and got a failing grade. However, from the descriptions and your prior knowledge about the topic, you can offer inferences that may be the real answer. 
• Remember, the details and the prior knowledge should correlate in order to have a valid inference.

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

• Conclusions are the results or end statements after summing up the arguments or laying down the details of a certain topic.
• Drawing conclusions means gathering all the details in a text in order to come up with a judgment.
• Drawing a conclusion is typically used when giving out a judgment on the subject matter or evaluating pieces of argument.
• Just like making inferences, drawing conclusions also involves gathering all the available details or evidence and connecting them with your prior knowledge or experiences.
• However, in this case, conclusions are used to come up with a final statement about the evidence gathered.

evidence + prior knowledge = conclusion

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS FROM READING

• As part of the reading analysis, there are also instances in reading and writing tasks when the reader needs to arrive at the final say after going through all the evidence or details in the text.
• These are not simply assumptions or predictions, but they may be an evaluation of a situation. 
• These can go from answering the problems or questions in the text to revealing the overall meaning of the text or even judging the value of the text.
• This makes drawing conclusions critical because the association of the evidence to the prior knowledge or experiences of the reader should be done carefully to arrive at a valid conclusion.

• Read the sample passage given earlier.

Cherry went home and immediately tossed her bag on the couch. Then, a piece of paper slipped out, and when she checked it, she just shook her head, looked up, and crumpled the paper. After a deep sigh, she went to the nearest trash bin and threw away the crumpled paper. Now she is deeply worried that she has screwed up her grades this term once again.

• However, in this case, conclusions are used in order to come up with a final statement about the evidence gathered. 

How would you describe Cherry?

CONCLUSION:

Cherry is a negligent student.

evidence:

• tossed her bag
• crumpled and threw away the paper
• about to screw up her grades again

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCES:

• These gestures are usually manifested by people who seem to have neglected something, but instead of fixing it, they tend just to let the expected result happen. It was also stated that she was going to screw up her grades again, which means it had happened in the past, yet she did not do anything to prevent it from happening again.
• In the example below, you will see that a conclusion was made from the knowledge and experiences of the reader paired with the evidence that he inferred from the passage.
• Drawing a conclusion is a very tricky and sometimes controversial task because you are not just giving information but also passing judgment. Therefore, drawing conclusions has to be done with certainty through the given references.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING INFERENCES AND DRAWING CONCLUSIONS

• Making inferences and drawing conclusions is a good exercise, especially in reading.
• First, it opens the readers to access higher-order thinking skills. Again, the information is not directly evident, so they need to analyze the information given.
• Second, it allows them to touch on and train their metacognitive skills. This is about the students considering their own thinking. Since they need to use their prior knowledge, they can have the opportunity to deliberate how they use that prior knowledge. It is an ability to develop further because this skill helps them strategize effectively.
• Lastly, it allows the reader to always come up with a sound opinion by putting a value on the evidence. The reader will consider whether the details support their knowledge or not to identify whether to accept or dismiss their idea or opinion on the subject matter.

The Inferences and Conclusion Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Inferences and Conclusions across 27 in-depth pages. Inferences and conclusions seem similar because they come from the same sources and mechanisms. However, an inference is a guess that the reader makes, while a conclusion is a judgment based on the facts and details gathered.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Inferences and Conclusions Facts
2. Infer the Traits
3. Figure It Out
4. Rebus Puzzle
5. Misplaced Details
6. Drawing Conclusions
7. Concluding Statement
8. Create Your Own Cover
9. Evaluate
10. Piece of Advice
11. Logical Judgment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an inference?

An inference is a logical deduction or conclusion that is made based on available information, evidence, or observations. It involves drawing a conclusion that goes beyond the explicit or stated information, often involving interpreting implicit meanings or connecting dots between various pieces of evidence.

How do inferences differ from conclusions?

Inferences and conclusions are closely related concepts, but they differ in their context and scope. An inference is a broader term that refers to the act of deriving meaning from available information. A conclusion, on the other hand, often refers to the final judgment or opinion reached after considering evidence and arguments. Conclusions can include inferences but may also encompass overall final judgments.

Give an example of an inference.

Example: If you see dark clouds forming in the sky and feel a drop of rain, you might infer that it’s about to rain.

What is a logical conclusion?

A logical conclusion is an outcome or result that can be derived from valid reasoning based on evidence, premises, or information presented. It is a deduction that follows logically from the information available and is generally considered to be sound and reasonable.

How can critical thinking improve the quality of inferences and conclusions?

Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information, arguments, and evidence in a systematic and thoughtful manner. By applying critical thinking skills, individuals can better assess the credibility of sources, identify logical fallacies, and consider alternative explanations. This improves the quality of inferences and conclusions by reducing bias, increasing accuracy, and ensuring that conclusions are well-supported and rational.

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