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INFERRING INFORMATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
INFERRING INFORMATION
When you found the main ideas in the preceding paragraphs, you were using inference.
Making inferences is important in daily life. For example, if you see storm clouds, you
might infer it will rain. Inference in reading is a type of informed guesswork in which the
reader makes judgments about the author’s meaning. You must read “between the lines.”
Sometimes you can correctly guess information that is implied in paragraph, but other
inferences may not be supported by what the author has implied.
Information is not always stated in exact terms, we must supply our own information
from details or ideas that are only suggested by the writer. We cannot always be certain
that what we supply is absolutely right. But if we follow hunches that are based on
evidence, we can be fairly sure about some things, even if they are only hinted at.
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Picture A
2
Picture B
Explanation:
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Statement 1, 4, 5, and 6 can be inferred from the paragraph. It can be inferred that
statement 1 is true from the first sentences in the paragraph. Statement 4 can be inferred
from phrase “internationally recognized.” Statement 5 can be inferred from the reference
to Yale University. Statement 6 can be inferred from all the things Morse was able to do.
Statement 2 is not a valid inference, because Morse was able to 1872. Statement 3 cannot
be inferred, Morse started working on the telegraph in 1832, but he didn’t die until 1872.
The main idea is in the first sentence, and it supported by facts.
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MAIN IDEA IN THE PARAGRAPH
A paragraphs is a group of sentences about some related subject. As you read a
paragraph, you look for the key idea that each sentence presents. Adding up these key
ideas, you see that each sentence helps build the main idea of the paragraph, the basic
subject that all the sentences are related to. Readers must know what the main idea of
the paragraph is in order to understand the information that they are reading (Wiener &
Bazerman, 1988).
Often one sentence in the paragraph tells the reader, exactly what the rest of the
paragraph deals with and therefore gives the main ideas. This main idea sentence (it is
often called a top sentence or topic statement) may appear in one of several places.
main ideas
The main idea of this passage is the view from the bridge was beautiful. All the sentences
in the paragraph illustrate that idea by providing many details.
Main idea in
There are 74.5 million television sets in the United States, at the middle
least one set for 98 percent of all American homes. Forty-
eight percent of all U.S. homes have more than one set, and
some families even have a set for every person in the house.
Yet, despite the fact that the number of sets in the United
States has virtually reached a saturation point, the amount
of time spent watching television has declined steadily
since 1976. Explanations vary from the increasingly poor
quality of networks shows to the rising popularity of home
video equipment, but some the fact remains that are owning
more sets but enjoying them less.
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The main idea of this paragraph is despite the fact that the number of sets in the United
States has virtually reached a saturation point, the amount of time spent watching
television has declined steadily since 1976.
Although the buildings are tall, none of them blots out the
sky. People rush about as in New York, but someone
always stops to answer a question about directions. A
person will listen will listen when he or she is asked a
question. Often a sudden smile will flash from the
crowds of strangers pushing down State Street. It is a
smile of welcome and of happiness at the same time. And
traffic: it is tough, noisy, active; but a person never feels
as if he takes his life in his hands when he crosses the
street. Of course, there is always the presence of the lake,
the vast, shimmering lake that shines like an ocean of
silver. Something about lake each time it spreads out
around a turn in Lakeshore Drive says, “Hello. It’s good
to see you again.” Chicago is a fine, friendlyMaincity.idea at
the end
The main idea of the paragraph is Chicago is a fine, friendly city. All the sentences in
paragraph support that idea with details. By stating the main idea at the end, the author
summarizes the pint of the paragraph.
Financial genius James "Big Jim" Fisk (1834-1872) died of gunshot wound when
he was only thirty-seven years old. During his brief lifetime, Fisk earned and lost
huge sums of money, much of it through bribery and theft. During the Civil War,
he smuggled cotton from the South to the North. He also printed and sold phony
bonds to gain control of the wildly profitable Erie Railroad. Then he bankrupted
the railroad while gaining a personal fortune for himself. In 1869, Fisk’s attempts
to take over the gold market led to financial panic and the collapse of the stock
market. Oddly enough, Fisk seemed rather proud of his wicked ways, saying
"Some people are born to be good; other people to be bad. I was born to be bad."
A lover of the ladies, Fisk was killed in a fight with a rival over the affections of
actress Josie Mansfield.
Main Idea:
a. Big Jim Fisk liked pretty women a little too much for his own good.
b. In his pursuit of wealth, James Fisk never let law or morality stand in his
way.
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c. James Fisk did not have a long life, but that did not stop him from making
a great deal of money.
For the ancient Romans, taking a bath was a very special occasion. Because they
considered bathing a social opportunity, they constructed huge public baths that
put our modern-day indoor pools and spas to shame. Not only were the baths
themselves lavishly decorated, they were also surrounded by shops, libraries, and
lounges so that a person could shop, read or chat after bathing. The famed Baths
of Caracalla, for example, offered Roman citizens massages and saunas in
addition to a gymnasium and gardens for after-bath walks in lovely surroundings.
Art lovers that they were, the Romans also frequently built art galleries into their
bathing facilities. There were also kitchens, where food was prepared to serve
hungry bathers. Although initially men and women bathed separately, mixed
baths became the fashion until 500 A.D., when the coming of Christianity brought
the public baths to an end.
Main Idea:
a. The ancient Romans were the first to lead a life of pure luxury.
b. If the Romans had spent more time governing and less time bathing, the
Roman Empire would still exist today.
Birds have long played a central role in superstitions. However, the role birds
have played varies greatly. While crows were thought to be in league with the
devil, blue birds were usually considered signs of good fortune. Blue jays, in
contrast, were seldom assigned a positive role in superstition and legend. Most of
the time, they were considered companions to the devil. According to one ancient
superstition, blue jays were never seen on Fridays. Friday was their day to meet
with the devil and pass on any useful gossip about souls who might be ready to go
astray. Owls, in contrast, have played a number of different roles, some good,
some bad. In several superstitions they are portrayed as wise counselors; in others
they are a sign that death is near.
Main Idea:
a. Despite having the same color, blue jays and blue birds have played very
different roles in superstitions.
b. Birds turn up frequently in superstitions as signs of both good and evil.
c. Hardly a superstition exists that doesn’t have a bird in it.
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Writing opposite sentences (positive or negative).
a. The city hasn’t have many beautiful buildings.
b. Whale doesn’t live in the river.
c. Visitors see some similarities between New York and San Fransisco.