Name: ______________________________
Inferences Worksheet 8

Directions: Read each passage and then respond to the questions. Each question will ask you to make a logical inference based on textual details. Explain your answer by referencing the text.

Mr. Johnson looked up at the sky. It was clear as far as the eye could see, except for the cruel sun. The insatiable sun drained the land of all moisture. He cursed the sun. Mr. Johnson ran his fingers through one of the rows of dirt and grabbed a handful. It was bone dry, almost powdery. He let the dirt sift through his fingers and it turned to dust in the wind. Mr. Johnson put his hands on his hips and surveyed the field. It was well seeded, that he knew. He had seeded it himself, yet nothing sprang from the dirt. "Well, there's only one thing left to do," he said to himself. Mr. Johnson headed to church.

1. What does Mr. Johnson do for a living? ________________________________________________

How do you know this? 

2. Why is Mr. Johnson cursing the sun? __________________________________________________

How do you know this? 

3. Why does Mr. Johnson go to church at the end of the passage?  _____________________________

How do you know this? 

Warren pushed the back door open with his elbow. He was dragging a heavy black plastic sack behind him. Thud, thud, thud. The bag thumped each stair Warren descended. Thud, thud, rip, drip, drip. The bag had gotten caught on a nail and a foul, odorous juice poured out, splashing Warren's leg. "Ew... gross!" Warren shouted as he adjusted the bag. He walked out to the alley and deposited the bag in a large plastic container, closing the lid behind him as he left, still muttering about his pants.

4. What is Warren doing? _____________________________________________________________

How do you know this? 

5. Why does Warren get so angry when the bag spills on his leg? ______________________________

How do you know this? 

Pablo slowly got off the ground and wiped the dust from his pants. There were several tears in both legs. He could see blood through the holes. He picked the gravel from his wounds, wiped off the dust and looked at the motorbike. The bike was on its side, the front wheel was turned around, and the wheel was spinning. Pablo's elbow and shoulder hurt as he struggled to pull the heavy bike upright once again. He got back on his seat and headed once more for home. When he got there, he quickly grabbed the hose and sprayed the motorbike. He wiped it down with a rag from his father's garage and then parked it against the wall. He walked into his house where his mother was shocked to see him. "Oh my! By heavens, what happened to you, Pablo?" Pablo did not even hesitate, "I got attacked by a dog after school by Jalen's house. It was one of his neighbor's dogs."

6. How did Pablo injure himself? _______________________________________________________

How do you know this? 

7. Why does Pablo wash his bike off when he gets home?  ___________________________________

How do you know this? 

8. Why does Pablo tell his mother the story about the dog? ___________________________________

How do you know this? 

Virgil slammed his fist against the locker. The hallway had been packed one minute ago, but now most of the students had filed into their classes. The bell would ring shortly. Virgil looked around urgently but saw no friendly faces. He faced the locker again and started spinning the lock, first right, then left, then right. He took a deep breath and pulled the lock. It held tight. Virgil cursed under his breath at the exact moment that the bell rang. Virgil grabbed the handle of the locker and yanked it repeatedly in a fit of frustration. Then he threw his arms against the locker and burrowed his head into his arms. Finally, he pushed himself off of the locker and went to look for a custodian.

9. Why is Virgil upset? _______________________________________________________________

How do you know this? 

10. Why did Virgil go to look for a custodian at the end of the passage? ________________________

How do you know this?