Build Stronger Readers with Inferencing Task Cards

Understanding how to make inferences is an important component of reading comprehension. But the skill doesn’t come naturally to many students… that’s why explicit teaching and lots of practice are essential!

These inferencing task cards present 20 engaging, real-life situations that encourage students to think beyond the literal meaning and “read between the lines.” Each card prompts learners to draw on prior knowledge, context clues and reasoning skills to answer a series of questions about the scenario presented. For example:

“Hurry, we are going to be late!” Luca said from the backseat. Not only was he worried about missing his flight, but the meter price was rising very quickly.

• Who is Luca talking to?
• Where is he going?
• What vehicle is he in?

This resource makes a perfect group activity for your ELA lessons, providing opportunities for lively conversation as students discuss possible answers to each question.

This resource downloads as a full-color PDF or editable Google Slides file. It contains:

• Instruction page
• 20 task cards
• Student recording sheet

Read on to learn more about how to use this resource to develop your students’ inference abilities.

Creative Ways to Use Inference Scenarios in Your Classroom

These versatile comprehension task cards can be integrated into your lessons in multiple ways. Here are some suggestions to get you thinking:

• Whole-Class Discussions – Display a card and invite students to share their thinking. You’ll hear a range of interpretations, which creates rich opportunities to model how different clues lead to different inferences.
• Early Finisher Tasks – These cards make a meaningful and engaging activity for students who complete other work early.  Keep a stack handy and there will be no more scrambling to find something meaningful for fast finishers to do!
• Exit Tickets – Use a single inference scenario at the end of your lesson as an exit ticket. Students can jot down their inference and explain their reasoning, giving you an instant snapshot of who is grasping the concept and who may need additional support. 

Whether used for whole-class instruction, small-group work or independent learning, this set of inferencing task cards is a reliable comprehension resource you’ll have at your fingertips.

Download This Inference Task Cards Today

Use the download button above to access either the easy-print PDF or the editable Google Slides version of these inference task cards. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

We recommend printing the task cards on cardstock for added durability. Place the cards together in a ziplock bag for easy access.

Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator, contributed to this resource.

More Resources for Exploring Inference

Looking for more resources to teach your students about how to make inferences when reading? Click below for a great sample of teacher-made worksheets and games!

teaching resource

Inference Pictures Digital Activity

Download this set of captivating pictures and thought-provoking questions designed to challenge students’ inference-making abilities.

teaching resource

Prediction vs Inference Teaching Slides

Use this prediction vs inference teaching presentation to help your students tell the difference between these two essential reading comprehension strategies.

teaching resource

Inferencing Worksheet

Use this worksheet with your students when teaching them how to make an inference.