UK K12 GCSE/A-Level: Year 2 KS1 English - Reading Comprehension, Inference and Prediction

Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the concepts of inference and prediction in reading comprehension
• Recognize and use textual evidence to support inferences and predictions
• Demonstrate an understanding of how inferences and predictions are used in reading comprehension to enhance understanding and engagement
• Apply skills of inference and prediction in reading a variety of texts, including fiction and non-fiction
• Evaluate the effectiveness of inferences and predictions made in reading comprehension

Core Concepts

Inference is the process of making a conclusion or drawing a conclusion based on the information given in a text. It involves using clues and hints from the text to make a reasonable guess about what might happen next or what a character might be thinking or feeling.

Prediction is making a guess about what might happen next in a story or what a character might do or say. It involves using the information given in the text to make an educated guess.

In reading comprehension, inference and prediction are used to enhance understanding and engagement with the text. They help readers to make connections between the text and their own experiences and to think critically about the information presented.

Types of Inference

There are two main types of inference:

• Implicit inference: This involves making a conclusion based on what is not explicitly stated in the text. For example, if a character is described as being "quiet and reserved," an implicit inference might be that they are shy.
• Explicit inference: This involves making a conclusion based on what is explicitly stated in the text. For example, if a character says, "I'm feeling sad today," an explicit inference might be that they are unhappy.

Types of Prediction

There are two main types of prediction:

• Short-term prediction: This involves making a prediction about what will happen next in a short period of time. For example, if a character is described as being hungry, a short-term prediction might be that they will eat soon.
• Long-term prediction: This involves making a prediction about what will happen in the future. For example, if a character is described as being ambitious, a long-term prediction might be that they will achieve their goals.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Inference

Read the following passage:

"Emily was sitting alone at lunchtime. She looked sad and was staring out of the window."

What inference can be made about Emily's situation?

(Answer: Emily might be feeling lonely or unhappy.)

Example 2: Prediction

Read the following passage:

"Tom had been training for the marathon for months. He was feeling confident and had been running long distances every weekend."

What prediction can be made about Tom's future?

(Answer: Tom might complete the marathon successfully.)

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception 1: Inference is the same as prediction. (Inference involves making a conclusion based on the information given, while prediction involves making a guess about what might happen next.)
• Misconception 2: Inference and prediction are only used in fiction texts. (Inference and prediction can be used in both fiction and non-fiction texts to enhance understanding and engagement.)
• Misconception 3: Inference and prediction are only used to guess what will happen next. (Inference and prediction can be used to make connections between the text and the reader's own experiences and to think critically about the information presented.)

Exam Tips

• Tip 1: When making inferences, look for clues and hints in the text that suggest what might be happening or what a character might be thinking or feeling.
• Tip 2: When making predictions, use the information given in the text to make an educated guess about what might happen next.
• Tip 3: Use textual evidence to support your inferences and predictions.

MCQs with Explanations

MCQ 1 [F]

What is the main difference between inference and prediction?

A) Inference involves making a conclusion, while prediction involves making a guess. B) Inference involves making a guess, while prediction involves making a conclusion. C) Inference involves using textual evidence, while prediction involves making a conclusion. D) Inference involves making a conclusion, while prediction involves making a guess and using textual evidence.

(Answer: A) Inference involves making a conclusion, while prediction involves making a guess.)

Why the distractors fail:

• B) Inference involves making a conclusion, while prediction involves making a guess.
• C) Inference involves using textual evidence, while prediction involves making a conclusion.
• D) Inference involves making a conclusion, while prediction involves making a guess and using textual evidence.

MCQ 2 [H]

What type of inference involves making a conclusion based on what is not explicitly stated in the text?

A) Implicit inference B) Explicit inference C) Short-term prediction D) Long-term prediction

(Answer: A) Implicit inference)

Why the distractors fail:

• B) Explicit inference involves making a conclusion based on what is explicitly stated in the text.
• C) Short-term prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen next in a short period of time.
• D) Long-term prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen in the future.

MCQ 3 [F]

What prediction can be made about a character who is described as being "hungry"?

A) They will eat soon. B) They will drink water. C) They will go for a walk. D) They will watch TV.

(Answer: A) They will eat soon.)

Why the distractors fail:

• B) There is no information in the text to suggest that the character will drink water.
• C) There is no information in the text to suggest that the character will go for a walk.
• D) There is no information in the text to suggest that the character will watch TV.

MCQ 4 [H]

What type of prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen in the future?

A) Short-term prediction B) Long-term prediction C) Implicit prediction D) Explicit prediction

(Answer: B) Long-term prediction)

Why the distractors fail:

• A) Short-term prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen next in a short period of time.
• C) Implicit prediction is not a valid term.
• D) Explicit prediction is not a valid term.

MCQ 5 [F]

What is the purpose of using inference and prediction in reading comprehension?

A) To guess what will happen next. B) To make connections between the text and the reader's own experiences. C) To think critically about the information presented. D) All of the above.

(Answer: D) All of the above.)

Why the distractors fail:

• A) While inference and prediction can be used to guess what will happen next, this is not their primary purpose.
• B) Making connections between the text and the reader's own experiences is an important purpose of inference and prediction.
• C) Thinking critically about the information presented is an important purpose of inference and prediction.

Short-answer Questions

Question 1

Explain the difference between inference and prediction. Provide an example of each.

(Answer: Inference involves making a conclusion based on the information given in the text, while prediction involves making a guess about what might happen next. Example: Inference: "Emily was sitting alone at lunchtime. She looked sad and was staring out of the window." Inference: Emily might be feeling lonely or unhappy. Prediction: "Tom had been training for the marathon for months. He was feeling confident and had been running long distances every weekend." Prediction: Tom might complete the marathon successfully.)

Question 2

What is the purpose of using inference and prediction in reading comprehension? Provide examples of how they can be used in a text.

(Answer: The purpose of using inference and prediction in reading comprehension is to make connections between the text and the reader's own experiences, think critically about the information presented, and guess what will happen next. Examples: Inference: "The character was described as being 'quiet and reserved.' Inference: They might be shy. Prediction: "The character was described as being 'hungry.' Prediction: They will eat soon.)

Question 3

Explain the difference between implicit and explicit inference. Provide an example of each.

(Answer: Implicit inference involves making a conclusion based on what is not explicitly stated in the text, while explicit inference involves making a conclusion based on what is explicitly stated in the text. Example: Implicit inference: "The character was described as being 'quiet and reserved.' Implicit inference: They might be shy. Explicit inference: "The character said, 'I'm feeling sad today.' Explicit inference: They are unhappy.)

Question 4

What type of prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen in the future? Provide an example.

(Answer: Long-term prediction involves making a prediction about what will happen in the future. Example: "The character was described as being 'ambitious.' Long-term prediction: They will achieve their goals.)

Question 5

What is the importance of using textual evidence to support inferences and predictions? Provide an example.

(Answer: The importance of using textual evidence to support inferences and predictions is to ensure that the inferences and predictions are based on the information given in the text. Example: "The character was described as being 'hungry.' Inference: They will eat soon. Textual evidence: The text states that the character is hungry, so it is reasonable to infer that they will eat soon.)