Year 4 English: Inferring from information, and talking about a text
Part of the Year 4 English reading non-fiction chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Inferring from information, and talking about a text
Inference means working out something that the writer does not say directly, using clues in the text and what you already know. Always give evidence: the words in the text that support your idea.
In a group discussion, take turns, listen to others, give a reason for what you say, and disagree politely. A talk to a class needs a more formal opening than a chat with a friend.
Read the text in the box. Then answer the questions in exercise 10F.
Hedgehogs in Our Gardens
Hedgehogs are small, spiky mammals that visit many British gardens. They are nocturnal, which means they come out to feed at night and sleep during the day.
What do hedgehogs eat?
Hedgehogs eat beetles, worms, slugs and other small creatures. Because they eat slugs, they can help a gardener by keeping some garden pests under control.
Where do hedgehogs sleep?
A hedgehog may build a nest from dry leaves and grass, under a hedge or a pile of logs. In winter, many hedgehogs hibernate, which means they sleep for a long time to save energy when food is hard to find.
How can you help?
- Leave a pile of leaves in a quiet corner.
- Make a small gap in the fence so they can move between gardens.
- Do not leave out milk, because it can make them ill.
Hedgehogs are shy, so move slowly and quietly if you see one.
Key ideas
- An inference is a sensible conclusion that uses clues from the text.
- Give evidence from the text when you make an inference.
- In a discussion, take turns, listen, and give reasons for what you say.
- A formal talk starts politely and says what the talk is about.
Method. Find the clue, then work out the reason.
- Find the clue. The text says hedgehogs are nocturnal.nocturnal
- Read what it means. Nocturnal means they come out to feed at night and sleep during the day.come out to feed at night
- Make the inference. So they are most likely to be seen in the evening, when they are coming out to feed.evening
- Write the answer. they are nocturnal, so they come out to feed at night
Check. The clue and the inference match. ✓
Method. Look at what the text does most.
- Read the sections. The sections give facts about what hedgehogs eat, where they sleep and how to help them.facts and help
- Find the main aim. Most of the text gives facts, so it informs.inform
- Name the purpose. The purpose is to inform readers about hedgehogs and how to help them.inform
- Write the answer. to inform readers about hedgehogs and how to help them
Check. The text gives facts and some advice. ✓
Method. A formal talk needs a polite greeting and a clear statement of the topic.
- Test the first opening. "Hey, hedgehogs are cool!" is casual, and it does not say what the talk is about.casual
- Test the second opening. It greets the class politely and names the topic.polite, names the topic
- Choose the formal one. The second opening suits a formal talk.Good morning
- Write the answer. Good morning. Today I will talk about hedgehogs in our gardens.
Check. A formal opening is polite and names the topic. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: an inference is not a guess. Point to the words in the text that support your idea, and say why they do.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the text together and ask: "What can we work out that the writer does not say?" Ask your child to give a reason from the text each time, and to say what a polite way of disagreeing sounds like.
Exercise 10F Practice: inference and talking about a text
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.they come out to feed at night and sleep during the day
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The text explains the word nocturnal in the same sentence.come out to feed at night
- Write the answer. come out to feed at night
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.they sleep for a long time to save energy
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The text explains hibernate after the word which means.sleep for a long time to save energy
- Write the answer. sleep for a long time to save energy
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
Method. Think about the feature at the front of a leaflet.
- Think about the front of a leaflet. A leaflet often lists its main parts near the start.near the start
- Name the feature. That list is the contents list, and it shows the order of the parts.contents list
- Write the answer. a contents list
Check. The contents list shows the order of the parts. ✓
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.Do not leave out milk, because it can make them ill
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The How can you help section gives this advice.milk
- Write the answer. milk
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
Method. Find the fact that the text states.
- Find the words that answer the question. Scan the text for the detail the question asks about.A hedgehog may build a nest from dry leaves and grass
- Check that the fact is stated, not guessed. The sentence about the nest is under Where do hedgehogs sleep?a nest
- Write the answer. a nest
Check. The text states this fact. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the text.
- Read the text that the question is about. Decide what the text needs.
- Test the choice against the text. A glossary lists key words with their meanings.glossary fits
- Reject the other choices. A contents list shows the main parts of a text, and a caption describes a picture.contents list and caption do not fit
- Write the answer. glossary
Check. glossary fits the text. ✓
Method. Find the clue about leaves and the reason the text gives.
- Find the clue. The text says to leave a pile of leaves in a quiet corner.pile of leaves
- Work out the reason. Hedgehogs build nests from leaves, so a pile gives them a place to nest and hide.nest and hide
- Write the answer. it gives the hedgehog a place to build a nest and hide
Check. The reason follows from the nest sentence. ✓
Method. Use the word shy and what you know about frightened animals.
- Think about shy. A shy animal runs away from anything sudden.runs away
- Name the cause. A loud noise or a sudden movement might make a shy hedgehog run away.loud noise, sudden movement
- Write the answer. a loud noise or a sudden movement
Check. The cause is sudden or loud. ✓
Method. Test each choice against the text.
- Read the text that the question is about. Decide what the text needs.
- Test the choice against the text. It gives the steps the reader must follow, in order.instruct fits
- Reject the other choices. It does not give facts to learn, and it does not try to make the reader agree with a view.inform and persuade do not fit
- Write the answer. instruct
Check. instruct fits the text. ✓
Method. Check the claim against the text, then judge the two replies.
- Check the claim. The text says do not leave out milk, because it can make them ill.milk can make them ill
- Judge the two replies. A reply that gives a reason from the text is polite and helps the discussion. A short insult does not.reason from the text
- Write the answer. I do not agree, because the text says milk can make them ill.
Check. The better reply gives a polite reason from the text. ✓
Method. Test each opening for a formal talk.
- Test the first opening. Hey, hedgehogs are cool! is casual and does not name the topic clearly.casual
- Test the second opening. Good morning is polite, and the sentence names the topic.polite, names the topic
- Write the answer. Good morning. Today I will talk about hedgehogs in our gardens.
Check. A formal opening is polite and clear. ✓
Method. Put the clues together and say what they show.
- Find the evidence. A hedgehog may build a nest under a hedge, and it eats beetles and worms.under a hedge, beetles, worms
- Make the inference. So a garden with long grass and hedges gives food and a place to nest.food and a nest
- Write the answer. it gives food such as beetles and worms, and a hedge is a place to build a nest, as the text says
Check. The inference uses evidence from the text. ✓