Inference Quiz

When Dorothy stood in the doorway and looked around, she could see nothing but the great gray prairie on every side. Not a tree nor a house broke the broad sweep of flat country that reached to the edge of the sky in all directions. The sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass, with little cracks running through it. Even the grass was not green, for the sun had burned the tops of the long blades until they were the same gray color to be seen everywhere. Once the house had been painted, but the sun blistered the paint and the rains washed it away, and now the house was as dull and gray as everything else.  Support your reasoning for believing Dorothy's home is or is not pleasant.

The road was smooth and well paved, now, and  the country about was beautiful, so that the  travelers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind,  and with it the many dangers they had met in its  gloomy shades. Once more they could see fences  built beside the road; but these were painted green,  and when they came to a small house, in which a  farmer evidently lived, that also was painted green.  They passed by several of these houses during the  afternoon, and sometimes people came to the doors  and looked at them as if they would like to ask  questions; but no one came near them nor spoke to  them because of the great Lion, of which they were  very much afraid. The people were all dressed in  clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wore  peaked hats like those of the Munchkins. Support your reasoning as to why this is or is not a pleasant place.

W hen Dorothy stood in the doorway and  looked around, she could see nothing but  the great gray prairie on every side. Not a tree nor  a house broke the broad sweep of flat country that  reached to the edge of the sky in all directions. The  sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass,  with little cracks running through it. Even the grass  was not green, for the sun had burned the tops of  the long blades until they were the same gray color  to be seen everywhere. Once the house had been  painted, but the sun blistered the paint and the  rains washed it away, and now the house was as dull  and gray as everything else.  The road was smooth and well paved, now, and  the country about was beautiful, so that the  travelers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind,  and with it the many dangers they had met in its  gloomy shades. Once more they could see fences  built beside the road; but these were painted green,  and when they came to a small house, in which a  farmer evidently lived, that also was painted green.  They passed by several of these houses during the  afternoon, and sometimes people came to the doors  and looked at them as if they would like to ask  questions; but no one came near them nor spoke to  them because of the great Lion, of which they were  very much afraid. The people were all dressed in  clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wore  peaked hats like those of the Munchkins.  What is the author trying to say about the differences of the two places?   Read the two passages and identify the differences.

How to Succeed as a Volunteer    So You Want to be a Volunteer?  Many high school students like to take part in volunteer activities. Some of the perks of  volunteerism include gaining useful experiences, making good friends, and building  relationships with others. Perhaps best of all, volunteering gives you a chance to step  outside of yourself and your own circumstances and do something to help others.  Volunteering can help you gain skills necessary for any future path in life.    Treat your volunteer job as something that requires the same commitment, timeliness,  and professionalism as any paid work that you might do.    Step 1: Finding a Good Fit  If you have a particular passion, it makes sense to look for an opportunity in that area.  However, the actual work you do may or may not connect directly to your personal  interests. For example, you may love animals, but the local shelter needs people to  create flyers for an upcoming fundraiser. You might not end up working directly with the  animals.    Step 2: The Interview  Most organizations interview potential volunteers. After all, the organization wants to be  sure that you are a good fit for the work they have. Read about interview strategies and  tips, in addition to correct interview attire, and etiquette. Also practice answering  common interview questions. Even if you know that once “hired” as a volunteer you will  be wearing jeans and a T-shirt every day, you aren’t “hired” yet. As a candidate, you  need to present a neat and clean appearance and create a good first impression. You  can never go wrong by being “overly” professional.    Step 3: The Work You Do  Just like in any job, there will likely be parts of your assigned work you find very  interesting and enjoyable and parts that you do not. Some organizations might have  you “work up” from basic jobs to those with more responsibility. Remember, you want to  support the organization with the work that they need you to do. Timeliness, attention to  detail, and a professional attitude will prove you are ready for better opportunities.    At the same time, just like in a real job, there is room for negotiation. For instance, if  you would like some phone experience and you have only been doing paperwork for  awhile, ask for a meeting with your supervisor and highlight how your goals will benefit  the organization. Be diplomatic, proactive, and ready to compromise.    Step 4: What You Take Away  Hopefully your volunteer experience will be a positive one and allow you to learn some  new skills. At the very least, you will gain experience and useful contacts to include on  future college or work applications. Choose two inferences you believe are correct and cite evidence (a quote) from the text to support your view. - Colleges usually don’t accept applicants who have no  volunteer experience.  - Volunteer work may not perfectly match your interests.  - It can be difficult to get a volunteer opportunity.  -  The biggest expense of becoming a volunteer is having  professional clothes to wear to the interview.  - A candidate’s performance during an interview for a volunteer  position is important.   

Frank has wanted a BMW since he was a little kid.   He began working at the age of 15 to hopefully save up enough money to buy the car of his dreams.   He worked hard for years and finally saved enough money to achieve his goal.   The day before Frank went to buy his car, his house was robbed and his savings was gone. Explain why it is the type of irony you chose.

Janice begins to receive threatening notes in the mail and on her car.  Then, a car tries to run her over in a dark parking lot.  She can’t see who the driver is.  She goes to her best friend Doug for help.  However, her attacker keeps trying to kill her.  Finally, Doug has her come stay with him at his cabin so she will be safe.  Then, he reveals that HE is the attacker!! Explain why you chose this type of irony.

Lois Lane, a reporter at the Daily Planet, is in love with the superhero Superman.  She is obsessed with him, and always asks her co-worker, Clark Kent for information about him.  She thinks that Clark and Superman are friends.  However, Clark is actually Superman in disguise and is very much in love with Lois, but she won’t give Clark the time of day. Explain why you chose this type of irony.

Betty always dresses differently than the other kids in school.   People she calls friends, such as  Sally, continue to make remarks about what she wears, and she is continually isolated.   When she wears her overalls with her bright pink polka dot shoes on Monday, Sally calls out from a group of girls, "Nice shoes, Betty!".   Sally giggles with a bunch of girls and runs away. Explain why you chose this type of irony.

Turner almost wished that he hadn’t listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He feels silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.  Which probably happened?

• A.

  Turner felt like it was going to rain when he woke up this morning

• B.

  Turner heard a weather forecast that it was going to rain

• C.

  Turner thought he would bring his umbrella as an fashion accessory but realized that was foolish

• D.

  Turner hadn’t taken his umbrella in a long time and decided it was necessary

No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon. What is the message?

• A.

  I don’t want a gift.

• B.

  Buy me a new car.

• C.

  I like going to the mall.

• D.

  The car is of sentimental value.

Bill and Jessica were almost done taking turns choosing the players for their teams. It was Jessica’s turn to choose, and only Kurt was left.  Jessica said, “Kurt.” We can infer that

• A.

  Kurt is the best player on the team.

• B.

  Jessica is inconsiderate of Bill's feelings.

• C.

  Kurt is not a very good player.

• D.

  Jessica was happy to have Kurt on her team.

Turner almost wished that he hadn't listened to the radio. He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella. He feels silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning. Which probably happened? Which line from the passage indicates the answer to #1?

• A.

  Turner almost wished that he hadn't listened to the radio.

• B.

  He went to the closet and grabbed his umbrella.

• C.

  He feels silly carrying it to the bus stop on such a sunny morning.

• D.

  Option 4

Alice was carrying a large clothes basket from the bedroom down the stairs to the laundry room. She struggled under the weight of the basket. She wished her younger brothers would help her. Instead, they were playing. She had heard them throwing a baseball in the house earlier. She had told them to go outside. hey had gone to the backyard, but they had left the baseball on the stairs. What is most likely going to happen?

• A.

  Alice's brothers are sabotaging her

• B.

  Alice is going to fall down the stairs

• C.

  Alice does not like doing laundry

• D.

  Alice's brothers do not like doing laundry

Alice was carrying a large clothes basket from the bedroom down the stairs to the laundry room.  She struggled under the weight of the basket. She wished her younger brothers would help her.  Instead, they were playing. She had heard them throwing a baseball in the house earlier. She had told them to go outside. They had gone to the backyard, but they had left the baseball on the stairs. What clue lead you to make this inference?

• A.

  She wished her younger brothers would help her.

• B.

  She had heard them throwing a baseball in the house earlier.

• C.

  They had gone to the backyard, but they had left the baseball on the stairs.

• D.

  She had told them to go outside.

Winston stood at the store counter. It was hard to make a decision. On the one hand, he had just enough money to buy the new game he wanted so badly. However, he had come to the store to buy his mother’s birthday present. If he bought her present, he would have to wait another week to have enough money for the game. As he looked at the game, he remembered that his mother made his favorite soup when he was sick. He also thought about how proud she was when he won the relay race. His mind was made up.  Winston is going to  

• A.

  Buy the video game.

• B.

  Buy more soup because he is feeling sick again.

• C.

  Buy his mother the present.

Winston stood at the store counter. It was hard to make a decision. On the one hand, he had just enough money to buy the new game he wanted so badly. However, he had come to the store to buy his mother’s birthday present. If he bought her present, he would have to wait another week to have enough money for the game. As he looked at the game, he remembered that his mother made his favorite soup when he was sick. He also thought about how proud she was when he won the relay race. His mind was made up.  Which line lead you to the conclusion you made?

• A.

  On the one hand, he had just enough money to buy the new game he wanted so badly.

• B.

  If he bought her present, he would have to wait another week to have enough money for the game.

• C.

  As he looked at the game, he remembered that his mother made his favorite soup when he was sick. He also thought about how proud she was when he won the relay race.

• D.

  It was hard to make a decision.

When Dorothy stood in the doorway and looked around, she could see nothing but the great gray prairie on every side. Not a tree nor a house broke the broad sweep of flat country that reached to the edge of the sky in all directions. The sun had baked the plowed land into a gray mass, with little cracks running through it. Even the grass was not green, for the sun had burned the tops of the long blades until they were the same gray color to be seen everywhere. Once the house had been painted, but the sun blistered the paint and the rains washed it away, and now the house was as dull and gray as everything else. True or False:  Dorothy's home seems like a pleasant place.

• A.

  True

• B.

  False

The road was smooth and well paved, now, and  the country about was beautiful, so that the  travelers rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind,  and with it the many dangers they had met in its  gloomy shades. Once more they could see fences  built beside the road; but these were painted green,  and when they came to a small house, in which a  farmer evidently lived, that also was painted green.  They passed by several of these houses during the  afternoon, and sometimes people came to the doors  and looked at them as if they would like to ask  questions; but no one came near them nor spoke to  them because of the great Lion, of which they were  very much afraid. The people were all dressed in  clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and wore  peaked hats like those of the Munchkins. Does this place seem like a pleasant place?

• A.

  Yes

• B.

  No

The water felt so good on such a hot day. I heard the other children laughing and yelling across the way.  The concrete was wet from a group of teenagers splashing each other in the corner. The lifeguard watched  closely to keep children from running.  Where is the person in this passage located?

The water felt so good on such a hot day. I heard the other children laughing and yelling across the way.  The concrete was wet from a group of teenagers splashing each other in the corner. The lifeguard watched  closely to keep children from running.  What words give you clues as to where the person is?

As we entered, a large blast of water hit the windshield. Huge flopping sponges began to slap at the hood as  we slowly moved forward. Soon, there were suds spilling over the sides. I was glad the windows were rolled up. Where is the person in this passage?

As we entered, a large blast of water hit the windshield. Huge flopping sponges began to slap at the hood as  we slowly moved forward. Soon, there were suds spilling over the sides. I was glad the windows were rolled up. What words clue you into where the person is?

I quickly packed my suitcase. I tossed in a change of clothes, a  toothbrush, and a hairbrush. Glancing at my watch, I zipped the suitcase  and walked to the front door. After I shut the window blinds, I pulled a heavy  coat from the closet.  Check the inference that is supported by the passage.

• A.

  The narrator has new luggage

• B.

  The narrator is going to take a short trip

• C.

  The narrator hates the winter

• D.

  The narrator is going to the airport

I quickly packed my suitcase. I tossed in a change of clothes, a  toothbrush, and a hairbrush. Glancing at my watch, I zipped the suitcase  and walked to the front door. After I shut the window blinds, I pulled a heavy  coat from the closet.  Check the clues that support the inference you made about this passage.

• A.

  I quickly packed my suitcase

• B.

  I pulled a heavy coat from the closet

• C.

  I tossed in a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a hairbrush

• D.

  Glancing at my watch, I zipped the suitcase

How to Succeed as a Volunteer    So You Want to be a Volunteer?  Many high school students like to take part in volunteer activities. Some of the perks of  volunteerism include gaining useful experiences, making good friends, and building  relationships with others. Perhaps best of all, volunteering gives you a chance to step  outside of yourself and your own circumstances and do something to help others.  Volunteering can help you gain skills necessary for any future path in life.    Treat your volunteer job as something that requires the same commitment, timeliness,  and professionalism as any paid work that you might do.    Step 1: Finding a Good Fit  If you have a particular passion, it makes sense to look for an opportunity in that area.  However, the actual work you do may or may not connect directly to your personal  interests. For example, you may love animals, but the local shelter needs people to  create flyers for an upcoming fundraiser. You might not end up working directly with the  animals.    Step 2: The Interview  Most organizations interview potential volunteers. After all, the organization wants to be  sure that you are a good fit for the work they have. Read about interview strategies and  tips, in addition to correct interview attire, and etiquette. Also practice answering  common interview questions. Even if you know that once “hired” as a volunteer you will  be wearing jeans and a T-shirt every day, you aren’t “hired” yet. As a candidate, you  need to present a neat and clean appearance and create a good first impression. You  can never go wrong by being “overly” professional.    Step 3: The Work You Do  Just like in any job, there will likely be parts of your assigned work you find very  interesting and enjoyable and parts that you do not. Some organizations might have  you “work up” from basic jobs to those with more responsibility. Remember, you want to  support the organization with the work that they need you to do. Timeliness, attention to  detail, and a professional attitude will prove you are ready for better opportunities.    At the same time, just like in a real job, there is room for negotiation. For instance, if  you would like some phone experience and you have only been doing paperwork for  awhile, ask for a meeting with your supervisor and highlight how your goals will benefit  the organization. Be diplomatic, proactive, and ready to compromise.    Step 4: What You Take Away  Hopefully your volunteer experience will be a positive one and allow you to learn some  new skills. At the very least, you will gain experience and useful contacts to include on  future college or work applications. Check any of the following inferences that can be supported by the text.

• A.

  Colleges don't usually accept students who do not have volunteer experience

• B.

  Volunteer work may not perfectly match your interests

• C.

  It can be difficult to get a volunteer opportunity

• D.

  A candidate’s performance during an interview for a volunteer position is important. A candidate’s performance during an interview for a volunteer position is important.

• E.

  The biggest expense of becoming a volunteer is having professional clothes to wear to the interview.

Frank has wanted a BMW since he was a little kid.   He began working at the age of 15 to hopefully save up enough money to buy the car of his dreams.   He worked hard for years and finally saved enough money to achieve his goal.   The day before Frank went to buy his car, his house was robbed and his savings was gone. Identify the type of irony.

• A.

  Dramatic

• B.

  Situational

• C.

  Verbal

Lois Lane, a reporter at the Daily Planet, is in love with the superhero Superman.  She is obsessed with him, and always asks her co-worker, Clark Kent for information about him.  She thinks that Clark and Superman are friends.  However, Clark is actually Superman in disguise and is very much in love with Lois, but she won’t give Clark the time of day. What type of irony is present?

• A.

  Dramatic

• B.

  Situational

• C.

  Verbal

Janice begins to receive threatening notes in the mail and on her car.  Then, a car tries to run her over in a dark parking lot.  She can’t see who the driver is.  She goes to her best friend Doug for help.  However, her attacker keeps trying to kill her.  Finally, Doug has her come stay with him at his cabin so she will be safe.  Then, he reveals that HE is the attacker!!

• A.

  Dramatic

• B.

  Situational

• C.

  Verbal

Betty always dresses differently than the other kids in school.   People she calls friends, such as  Sally, continue to make remarks about what she wears, and she is continually isolated.   When she wears her overalls with her bright pink polka dot shoes on Monday, Sally calls out from a group of girls, "Nice shoes, Betty!".   Sally giggles with a bunch of girls and runs away. What type of irony is this?

• A.

  Dramatic

• B.

  Situational

• C.

  Verbal