Guessing the Meaning from Context and Making Inferences

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Guessing the meaning from context: Using surrounding words or sentences to understand an unknown word’s meaning without looking it up in a dictionary.
Making inferences: Drawing conclusions based on information that is implied but not explicitly stated in the text.

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"Maria carefully put the keys on the table and tiptoed out of the room, hoping not to wake anyone."

Based on implied information, we can infer that Maria does not want anyone to know she is leaving the room.

Making Inferences

"The weather was so sultry that even sitting in the shade made me sweat."

Unknown word: sultry

Based on the sentence, we can guess that sultry is related to heat, as sitting in the shade still caused sweating.

Guessing the Meaning from Context

Examples

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Reading 1: Guessing the Meaning from Context

Please read a short passage and attempt to guess the meaning of unknown words.

Text 1: "The ancient ruins were awe-inspiring. The tall columns, though weathered by time, still stood proudly. Around them, moss clung to the stones, giving the place a sense of mystery and age."

ARE YOU READY?

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Open Ended

Please read a short passage and attempt to guess the meaning of unknown words.

Text 1: "The ancient ruins were awe-inspiring. The tall columns, though weathered by time, still stood proudly. Around them, moss clung to the stones, giving the place a sense of mystery and age."

What is the meaning of awe-inspiring?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a short passage and attempt to guess the meaning of unknown words.

Text 1: "The ancient ruins were awe-inspiring. The tall columns, though weathered by time, still stood proudly. Around them, moss clung to the stones, giving the place a sense of mystery and age."

What can you guess about the meaning of weathered?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a short passage and attempt to guess the meaning of unknown words.

Text 1: "The ancient ruins were awe-inspiring. The tall columns, though weathered by time, still stood proudly. Around them, moss clung to the stones, giving the place a sense of mystery and age."

What do you think moss means in this context?

Type response here

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Reading 2: Making Inferences

Please read a passage and are asked to make inferences based on implied information.

Text 2: "John opened the envelope with shaking hands. As he unfolded the letter, his heart pounded. He had been waiting for weeks for this response. After reading the first line, he slumped into his chair, a mix of relief and disbelief on his face."
ARE YOU READY?

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Open Ended

Please read a passage and make inferences based on implied information.

Text 2: "John opened the envelope with shaking hands. As he unfolded the letter, his heart pounded. He had been waiting for weeks for this response. After reading the first line, he slumped into his chair, a mix of relief and disbelief on his face."

Why might John be nervous before opening the letter?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a passage and make inferences based on implied information.

Text 2: "John opened the envelope with shaking hands. As he unfolded the letter, his heart pounded. He had been waiting for weeks for this response. After reading the first line, he slumped into his chair, a mix of relief and disbelief on his face."

What can you infer about the letter’s contents from John’s reaction?

Type response here

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Extended Reading: Combination of Context and Inference

Please read a longer passage and answer questions that require both guessing the meaning from context and making inferences.

Text 3: "The old lighthouse stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, its paint peeling and its windows cracked. For years, it had guided ships safely to shore. But now, with modern technology taking over, it had fallen into disrepair, its light long since extinguished."
ARE YOU READY?

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Open Ended

Please read a longer passage and answer questions that require both guessing the meaning from context and making inferences.

Text 3: "The old lighthouse stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, its paint peeling and its windows cracked. For years, it had guided ships safely to shore. But now, with modern technology taking over, it had fallen into disrepair, its light long since extinguished."

What is the meaning of disrepair?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a longer passage and answer questions that require both guessing the meaning from context and making inferences.

Text 3: "The old lighthouse stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, its paint peeling and its windows cracked. For years, it had guided ships safely to shore. But now, with modern technology taking over, it had fallen into disrepair, its light long since extinguished."

What can you infer about the current state of the lighthouse?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a longer passage and answer questions that require both guessing the meaning from context and making inferences.

Text 3: "The old lighthouse stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, its paint peeling and its windows cracked. For years, it had guided ships safely to shore. But now, with modern technology taking over, it had fallen into disrepair, its light long since extinguished."

What is the meaning of extinguished in this context?

Type response here

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Open Ended

Please read a longer passage and answer questions that require both guessing the meaning from context and making inferences.

Text 3: "The old lighthouse stood on the edge of the rocky cliff, its paint peeling and its windows cracked. For years, it had guided ships safely to shore. But now, with modern technology taking over, it had fallen into disrepair, its light long since extinguished."

How does the writer feel about the lighthouse?

Type response here

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

What is the meaning of loomed in the first paragraph?

1

To shine brightly and clearly

2

To appear large and imposing in a threatening way

3

To fade into the distance slowly

4

To blend into the background unnoticed

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

How does the writer describe the atmosphere of the manor?

1

Warm and inviting

2

Bustling and lively

3

Eerie and unsettling

4

Bright and hopeful

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

What can you infer about Sarah's feelings as she approaches the house?

1

She is entirely fearless and excited

2

She is indifferent and uninterested

3

She feels both curious and afraid

4

She feels joy and relief

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

Why does Sarah feel compelled to climb the stairs?

1

She hears someone calling her name

2

She is curious about the architecture

3

She feels a mysterious pull, as if something important is at the top

4

She wants to leave quickly but decides to explore more

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

What is the meaning of stale in paragraph six?

1

Fresh and clean

2

Damp and wet

3

Old and musty, with no fresh air

4

Fragrant and pleasant

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

What can you guess about the significance of the grand staircase?

1

It leads to an exit Sarah is searching for

2

It symbolizes Sarah’s journey toward discovering something important or confronting the past

3

It is the safest part of the house

4

It is just an ordinary staircase with no real meaning

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

Why does Sarah feel like she has been to the manor before?

1

She had visited it many times as a child

2

She had a dream about it the previous night

3

She has a deeper connection, possibly from a forgotten memory or her past

4

She read about it in a book

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Multiple Choice

Extended Reading Exercise: Combination of Context and Inference

How does the writer use the fog and shadows to enhance the mood of the story?

1

They create a sense of mystery and suspense, making the setting feel alive

2

They make the house seem warm and inviting

3

They brighten up the atmosphere

4

They make it clear that the house is safe

C2 Guessing the Meaning from Context and Making Inferences

Guessing the Meaning from Context and Making Inferences

Examples

Guessing the Meaning from Context and Making Inferences

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