Making Inferences in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Read the paragraph below. Soon after the moving truck departed, I made way next door to greet the new neighbors. A boy was playing in the yard, and I greeted him and introduced myself. In response, the boy ducked his head and mumbled an inaudible reply. Though he smiled, he quickly retreated toward his mother on the porch. When I said, "Welcome to the neighborhood," his cheeks turned pink, and he disappeared through the open front door. What inference can be drawn about the boy?

He is shy and uncomfortable in new situations.

Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The silver trump of freedom had roused my soul to eternal wakefulness. Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever. It was heard in every sound, and seen in every thing. It was ever present to torment me with a sense of my wretched condition. I saw nothing without seeing it, I heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it. It looked from every star, it smiled in every calm, breathed in every wind, and moved in every storm. What inference can be drawn about Douglass in this excerpt?

He is unable to ignore the appeal of freedom.

Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of the gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids;--not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them; for it is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country. Which statement best describes Douglass's viewpoint?

He wishes he could thank the young boys who taught him to read.

Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. I could not approach her as I was accustomed to approach other white ladies. My early instruction was all out of place. The crouching servility, usually so acceptable a quality in a slave, did not answer when manifested toward her. Her favor was not gained by it; she seemed to be disturbed by it. She did not deem it impudent or unmannerly for a slave to look her in the face. The meanest slave was put fully at ease in her presence . . . What inference can be drawn about Mrs. Auld in this excerpt?

She shows enslaved persons an unfamiliar respect.

Read the paragraph below. When Tyrese dropped his crutches and limped to the starting block, the audience froze. Then the starter's signal sounded, and the swimmers dove in. An awkward splash emerged from lane eight, but Tyrese began reaching and kicking in earnest, keeping pace with many of his opponents. All eyes measured his steady progress. Then, the mass on the bleachers leaned toward the finish, lips bitten, fists clenched, and silently willed every swimmer's hand hit to the wall. What is the audience's attitude toward Tyrese in lane eight?

The audience is interested and supportive of Tyrese

Read the paragraph below. Our eighth-grade science teacher is planning a trip to the science museum, and she showed us the exhibits on the museum website. The first-floor exhibits are immature, with water tables for play and sand boxes for "fossil" digs. The second-floor exhibits allow students to create, featuring simple machines, exploding volcanoes, and build-your-own electric circuits. These exhibits align with three of our units of study. The third floor boasts a 3D movie theater; unfortunately, the movie lengths exceed the time allotted for our field trip. Which statement best describes the author's viewpoint?

The author believes his class should visit the science museum's second floor.

Read the paragraph below. The extracurricular activities my father proposed failed to intrigue me. The volleyball club at the community center boasts of competitive tournaments, and the basketball clinic at the high school describes intense training drills. Though these would offer physical outlets, exercise is not my top priority because I already play soccer on the weekends. I countered with my own suggestions: a robotics class or a math club. Which statement best describes the author's viewpoint?

The author is seeking intellectual stimulation from his activities.

Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. [Mrs. Auld] had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness. The first step in her downward course was in her ceasing to instruct me. The reader can infer that being a slaveholder made Mrs. Auld

less concerned about helping enslaved people.

When reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the reader can make conclusions based on known facts or evidence. This process is called _______________________.

making an inference