Inference Versus Evidence in a Character Story
Students read a scene in which a girl named Ana waits outside a gym door. The text says: "Ana checked her watch for the third time. She read the posted list, then read it again. She put her hand on the door handle, pulled it back, and sat down. When the coach finally opened the door, Ana stood up slowly and said, 'I'm not sure I should be here.'" The teacher asks, "How does Ana feel?" One student answers, "She is terrified." Another answers, "She is nervous and uncertain." A third says, "She is angry at the coach." The class must choose the best answer and point to the exact words that support it, while explaining why the other answers go too far or are unsupported.
1. Which answer is best supported, and which details support it? Write 50-80 words.
Read the worked answer
"Nervous and uncertain" is best supported. Ana checks her watch three times, rereads the list, and pulls her hand back from the door, all signs of worry. Her final words, "I'm not sure I should be here," directly show uncertainty. These details support nervousness without claiming a stronger emotion than the text shows.
2. Explain why "terrified" and "angry at the coach" are weaker answers, even though they are possible guesses. Answer in 40-60 words.
Read the worked answer
"Terrified" goes too far. The text shows hesitation and repeated checking, not panic, shaking, or fear of danger. "Angry at the coach" is unsupported because nothing suggests blame or hostility; the coach simply opens the door. A strong inference stays close to the words on the page and does not add emotions the text never shows.