ParaPro Assessment Test Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Question 1

Read the passage: 'Maria put on her heaviest coat, grabbed her umbrella, and stepped outside. She immediately turned back and reached for her snow boots.' What can you infer about the weather?

Accepted Answer

It was cold and snowy or icy outside.

Answer

It was hot and humid outside.

Answer

It was a warm, rainy day.

Answer

There was a thunderstorm with lightning.

Question 2

A student reads a story where the main character stops eating lunch with his friends and starts sitting alone. The author never states how the character feels. What can a reader most reasonably infer?

Accepted Answer

The character is experiencing a conflict or emotional difficulty with friends.

Answer

The character is not hungry at lunchtime.

Answer

The character prefers a different cafeteria.

Answer

The character has been told to sit in a different area.

Question 3

Read the passage: 'The gym was eerily quiet. The usual shouts and sneaker squeaks were absent. A single tumbleweed of dust drifted across the floor.' What can you infer?

Accepted Answer

The gym is empty and has not been used recently.

Answer

A game is about to begin.

Answer

The janitor just finished cleaning.

Answer

Students are warming up silently.

Question 4

An inference is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning beyond what is directly stated

Answer

A statement directly and explicitly written in the text

Answer

The author's opinion stated in the first sentence

Answer

A summary of the main idea of a passage

Question 5

Read the passage: 'The teacher handed back the tests without a word. Several students slumped in their chairs. One student quietly put his paper face-down on the desk.' What is the most reasonable inference?

Accepted Answer

The students performed poorly on the test.

Answer

The students all received perfect scores.

Answer

The teacher is angry at the students.

Answer

The test has not yet been graded.

Question 6

A paraprofessional wants to help students practice making inferences. Which activity best develops this skill?

Accepted Answer

Asking students what they think a character is feeling and what clues led them to that conclusion

Answer

Asking students to copy key vocabulary words from the text

Answer

Having students identify the topic sentence of each paragraph

Answer

Having students memorize the sequence of story events