CLASSWORK 2
Student’s name: ______________________________ ID number: _________________________
Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions
Total points: 25 points Score:
A. Reading Comprehension - Inference Questions.
Read the passages and answer the questions based on it.
I.
Every year, countless people from
some of the northern and central states of the
country leave snow, ice and freezing
temperatures behind by heading south.
These "snowbirds", as they are often called,
trade in their gloves and hats for sunscreen
and bathing suits. Heading south to escape
winter's chill is common, but some travelers
do just the opposite. They pack the extra
layers and the snow boots and head to the
village of Jukkasjarvi in Sweden. Once they arrive, they check into their hotel, but they don't
take off their heavy coats and scarves. Why? Because at Sweden's Ice Hotel, everything from the
beds to tables is made out of blocks of ice.
Why would anyone want to travel to one of the coldest places in the world during the winter
season? That was a question that a tourist company asked more than 20 years ago. They wanted
more tourists so they tried something new. They built a 60 square foot igloo out of ice blocks and
held an art exhibit inside. People came but not that many.
One day, a group came to see the exhibit, but arrived too late. Instead of leaving, they spread out
their sleeping bags and spent the night in the snow. Suddenly, a brand new idea was born! The
tourist company built an entire hotel out of ice blocks taken from the nearby Torne River. They
advertised this unique hotel all over the world and soon, people came to explore. Now, curious
guests check in and enjoy the cold. Then, when the warmth of spring returns, the hotel melts into
the ground and disappears. It will be rebuilt when winter returns.
1. Based on this passage, what would most likely be true about "snowbirds"?
a. They would love the chance to stay at the Ice Hotel.
b. They would typically live in the northern and central states of the U.S.
c. They tend to pack their travels bags with multiple layers of warm clothes.
d. They are one of the inspirations for constructing buildings like the Ice Hotel.
2. Which statement would make the best conclusion for this passage?
a. The hotel has more than fifty rooms and each one is designed by a different artist.
b. Visitors often combine the trip with activities like dog sledding or snowshoeing.
c. Ice hotels have become so popular that they have been built in Canada, Norway and Romania
d. The hotel features everything from a restaurant and a lobby made completely out of blocks of
ice.
3. Based on this passage, what can the reader assume about Sweden's Ice Hotel?
a. The inside temperature is kept below freezing.
b. The location is very difficult for most people to reach.
c. The guests prefer to come and stay during the spring.
d. The staff is entirely made up of people from the tourist company.
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II.
A handshake is not an uncommon gesture in today's
culture. Friends shake hands upon meeting each
other. Strangers shake hands when they are
introduced. Businessmen shake hands before and
after meetings. However, a very unusual handshake
occurred in February 2012. Dan Burbank, the station commander on the International Space
Station (ISS) reached out to grasp the metallic hand of Robonaut 2. After shaking the
commander's hand, R2 faced the ISS camera and waved hello to the rest of the world. R2 is the
world's first human-like robot and the latest member to call the ISS home.
The robot cost more than two million dollars to build. Its head contains four cameras. Its chest
holds almost 40 computer processors. Made out of aluminum and steel, R2 wears a backpack full
of batteries. It is certainly not a surprise that this robot weighs hundreds of pounds.
R2 was first tested under the effects of earth's gravity. The next question was how would it
perform in outer space? It did great!
Currently, R2 has been trained to do simple cleaning tasks, like wiping rails, and cleaning filters.
Eventually, the robot will be used for much more complicated tasks since it will not require the
same suits and other equipment that regular astronauts do. One day, R2 may be making space
walks and discovering amazing things to share with the rest of the world.
1. Based on this passage, why were the experts worried about how R2 would perform in outer
space?
a. They did not think that the robot's head cameras would provide clear images.
b. There was concern that the batteries in the backpack would not last long enough.
c. On the ISS, the robot was not functioning under the power of the earth's gravity.
d. Robots were known for having problems with space walks in outer space.
2. Which statement would make the best conclusion for this passage?
a. R2 just might go where no man- or robot-has ever gone before.
b. Next, R2 will learn how to climb without having to use its hands.
c. The cameras in R2's head can send images back to NASA for observation.
d. Since there is no gravity on the space station, R2 had to be reprogrammed.
3. Based on this passage, which of the following statements is most likely true?
a. The ISS staff resents having a robot on board with them.
b. R2 has been designed with cutting edge technology.
c. The Discovery shuttle will not be making very many more voyages.
d. The robot will not be ready to be helpful to the ISS for many years yet.
B. Preview the passage. Read it and underline the facts. Then answer the questions
that follow.
A New Pesticide in India He observed that the insects on his cotton
plants began to die soon after he sprayed his
In two states in India, Andhra Pradesh and fields with cola. Local agriculture officials
Chattisgarh, farmers have discovered a new would not comment on this new development,
kind of pesticide.' Instead of paying large except to note that the cola spray cost
sums of money to international chemical considerably less than the pesticides produced
companies for chemical pesticides, they are by Montsanto, Shell and Dow Chemical.
spraying their cotton and chili pepper fields
with Coca-Cola. The Coca-Cola Company already is in legal
difficulties in Andhra Pradesh state, where it
In the past month there have been reports of has been accused of taking water away from
hundreds of farmers spraying cola on their farmers for its bottling plants. So far,
fields. Thousands of others are expected to representatives of the Coca-Cola Company
make the switch2 to cola from the usual have refused to comment on the new use
pesticides as word spreads about the new Of their product. It is not known if or how
spray. A farmer in Andhra Pradesh sales of the soft drinks have been affected,
interviewed by a local newspaper said he was though it is likely that the company may try to
very satisfied with his new cola spray, which profit from this new market.
he applied this year to several acres of cotton.
(Source: Adapted from "Things grow better with Coke." The Guardian Weekly, November 5-
11, 2004)
pesticide: a chemical used to kill insects that destroy plants.
2
switch: the replacement of an object with a similar object.
1. What facts are included in the first paragraph?
2. What can you infer about the cost of pesticides in India?
3. What facts are included in the second paragraph?
4. What can you infer about the cola spray?
5. What facts are included in the third paragraph?
6. What can you infer about the economic situation of the farmers in Andhra Pradesh?
7. What can you infer about the Coca-Cola Company in India?
C. Read this conversation and infer the answers to the questions below.
1. Where are these people?
2. What are they talking about?
3. What did “B” put in his pocket?
4. How old is “B”?
D. Read the passage from A Roomful of Roses, a play by Edith Sommer. Try to infer
the answers to the questions below.
1. What are the relationships among the three characters?
2. Where are they?
3. What can you tell about the past?
4. What do you think will happen after this in the story?
