Free inference resources

Inference passages

The ominous click, click, click sounded as the carriage moved slowly, inexorably, towards the peak. When it stopped, Amari gasped as she took in the spectacular views around her, momentarily forgetting about the terror she had felt just seconds before. She had no idea she’d get such a stunning view of the beach and surrounding town from up here. She barely had time to process what an amazing sight was in front of her when she plunged downwards. Her stomach felt like it was in her mouth, and she screamed along with the people sat around her. Terror and excitement flooded through her system.

1. What is Amari doing?
2. Why does she feel two contrasting feelings at the end of the passage?

Sami looked around confused. He’d had two pieces of pizza left from last night’s takeaway. They had been right there on the coffee table when he’d leapt up to answer the telephone. He’d only been gone for 20 seconds – it was a wrong number call – so the pizza couldn’t have gone far. As he looked around confusedly, a small belch came from under the table followed by the sound of a paw scratching fur. In that moment, Sami realised exactly where his pizza had gone.

1. What is under the table?
2. Where did the pizza go?

Yaz bit her lip in concentration. She knew where and when The Great Fire of London had started; she’d read it in her notes this morning. Twiddling her pen in frustration, Yaz stared into space desperately trying to remember. Her painful reverie was interrupted by a booming voice proclaiming: ‘Five minutes remaining.’ Panicking, Yaz looked down at the paper in front of her and with a sinking feeling realised she still had two pages left.

1. What is Yaz doing?
2. Who might be shouting the time call?

Jonty looked in horror at the shattered glass all over the carpet. There was no way he could hide this from his parents, especially as they were due home any minute now. Grabbing the football, he shoved it in the cupboard under the stairs and set about sweeping as much of the shards up as he could. After throwing them in the recycle bin, he grabbed the flowers strewn across the floor and threw them into the garden. Realising the carpet was damp, Jonty got a tea towel from the kitchen and attempted to mop up the water stain as best he could.

1. What got broken?
2. How did it get broken?

Flora shivered and pulled her coat closer around her. Her breath came in ragged gasps and she desperately tried to slow her breathing lest she be heard. Peering around the gravestone, she saw a shadow approaching slowly, carefully looking behind each headstone.

1. Why is Flora breathing quickly?
2. Why is Flora shivering?

The sound of a car door slamming woke up the snoozing dog. She pricked up her ears, waiting for the tell-tale sound of the key in the lock. When it finally came, she leapt into action, barking frantically, her tail wagging like a helicopter.

1. Who might be at the door?
2. How is the dog feeling about this arrival?