ELC501 - Inference Exercise - Week 5

Inference Exercise: Read the passages below and make 2 logical inferences based on
textual details. Explain your answer by referencing the text.
1. Long ago, there were no clocks or watches. People had to figure out ways to mark the
passing of time. In about 870 A.D., King Alfred of England invented a candle clock. He
used candles that were 12 inches long and marked them off in equal sections. To keep
air drafts from affecting how the candle burned, he created a lantern to fit over the
candle. People could then measure time by noting how long a section of the candle took
to burn. The problem with candle clocks? They kept burning up!
Example Inference: People long ago were forced to think outside of the box.
Example Evidence: People had to figure out ways to mark the passing of time.
Inference 1: With the creation of lantern, it helps air drafts from affecting how the candle
burned.
Evidence: To keep air drafts from affecting how the candle burned, he created a lantern
to fit over the candle.
Inference 2: Disadvantage of candle clocks is it kept burning up.

Evidence: The problem with candle clocks? They kept burning up!
2. Emperor penguin parents share the responsibilities of caring for their offspring. The
female lays one egg, which she places on the male’s feet. He keeps the egg between
the top of his feet and a special fold of skin on his tummy. He is careful not to drop the
egg.While the female goes back to the sea, the father huddles on the ice with other dads
for two months. The males do not eat during this time.The female returns when the egg
is ready to hatch. She feeds the chick a meal of fish. The male goes to find food in the
sea for himself and the chick. Both parents then share the work of feeding the chick.
Inference 1: Male penguin is a vigilant animal because it carefully tries not to drop the
egg.
Evidence: He is careful not to drop the egg.
Inference 2: Both penguin parents work hard to give the best for their chick.
Evidence: While the female goes back to the sea, the father huddles on the ice with
other dads for two months.
3. Have you ever noticed how some words are used together all the time? It’s as if they
were partners. For example, people often say “mix and match” or “nuts and bolts.” Other
words that are often paired are “kiss and tell,” “wash and dry,” and “meat and potatoes.”
Perhaps you have used a few of these phrases, too. How many times have you said you
were “sick and tired” of something? Have you ever ordered food that was “sweet and
sour”? And no doubt you’ve spent most days putting on your “socks and shoes.”
Inference 1: Certain words looks like they were partners because people mostly like to
use the words together.
Evidence: Have you ever noticed how some words are used together all the time? It’s as
if they were partners.
Inference 2: People probably like to eat sweet and sour food.

Evidence: Have you ever ordered food that was “sweet and sour”?
4. Many people put flowers in a vase, but in Japan arranging flowers is considered an art. It
is called ikebana and has been practiced for about 500 years. Japanese teens often
study flower arranging in school, and professional arrangers spend years learning the
art. Only a few flowers are used in an arrangement. These are carefully chosen to make
a graceful composition. The tallest flower represents heaven, the shortest flower is for
earth, and the one in the middle stands for humans. Most homes in Japan have a
special place where flower arrangements are displayed.
Inference 1: People in Japan are still practicing an old tradition called ikebana till now.
Evidence: It is called ikebana and has been practiced for about 500 years.
Inference 2: Flower arrangements is appreciated in most homes in Japan.

Evidence: Most homes in Japan have a special place where flower arrangements are
displayed.
5. Who was one of the finest architects during Thomas Jefferson’s time? The answer is
Thomas Jefferson. He became a skilled draftsman as a boy. One of his first projects was
to plan his own home. He started designing in 1767 and began building in 1770.
Jefferson called this place Monticello, and he lived there until his death in 1826.
Jefferson also helped plan the new U.S. capital, Washington, D.C. He was the first
president to be inaugurated in that city. In later years, he helped design the handsome
buildings at the University of Virginia.
Inference 1: Thomas Jefferson is very detailed in his designing because it takes him 3
years before he began the building.
Evidence: He started designing in 1767 and began building in 1770.
Inference 2: Thomas Jefferson really like the place and his house because he lived there
until his death.
Evidence: Jefferson called this place Monticello, and he lived there until his death in
1826.

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Inference Exercise: Read the passages below and make 2 logical inferences based on

textual details. Explain your answer by referencing the text.

Inference 2: Disadvantage of candle clocks is it kept burning up.

Inference 2: People probably like to eat sweet and sour food.

Inference 2: Flower arrangements is appreciated in most homes in Japan.

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