Making Inferences in Nonfiction
This worksheet helps 7th-grade students practice making inferences from nonfiction texts by analyzing clues and background knowledge.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Making Inferences in Nonfiction
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each passage carefully. Then, answer the questions that follow by making inferences based on the text and your background knowledge. Remember, an inference is an educated guess!
Passage 1: The Great Dust Bowl
During the 1930s, a severe drought hit the Great Plains region of the United States. Coupled with years of poor farming practices that stripped the topsoil of its nutrients and stability, the dry conditions led to a series of devastating dust storms. These storms, sometimes called 'black blizzards,' carried tons of loose soil across hundreds of miles, burying homes, suffocating livestock, and making it impossible to grow crops. Many families were forced to abandon their farms and migrate westward in search of work and a better life.
1. What can you infer about the long-term effects of the Dust Bowl on the affected families?
They quickly returned to their farms once the drought ended.
They faced significant economic hardship and displacement.
They adapted easily to life in the western states.
They were able to grow new crops immediately.
2. Based on the passage, what inference can you make about the government's role (or lack thereof) in preventing the Dust Bowl?
Passage 2: The Invention of the Internet
The internet, as we know it today, began as ARPANET, a project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense in the late 1960s. Its primary purpose was to create a communication network that could withstand a nuclear attack, allowing information to flow even if parts of the network were destroyed. Researchers and academics soon found it invaluable for sharing data and collaborating on projects. Over the decades, it evolved, with new protocols and technologies developed by many individuals and organizations, eventually leading to the World Wide Web that transformed global communication.
3. True or False: You can infer that the initial goal of the internet's development was primarily for commercial use.
True
False
4. Based on its evolution, you can infer that the internet's development was a effort involving many contributors over time.
Passage 3: The Importance of Sleep
Scientists have long understood that sleep is crucial for overall health. During sleep, our bodies repair themselves, our brains consolidate memories, and hormones are regulated. A lack of sufficient sleep can lead to decreased cognitive function, impaired immune response, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. While the exact amount of sleep needed varies by individual, most adults require 7-9 hours per night. Adolescents, however, often need more, typically 8-10 hours, to support their rapid growth and development.
5. What can you infer about the academic performance of an adolescent who consistently gets less than 7 hours of sleep per night?
6. Match the inferred consequence with its cause based on the passage:
a. Poor farming practices
i. Increased risk of chronic diseases
b. Lack of sufficient sleep
ii. Topsoil stripped of nutrients