Exercises aimed to improve reading comprehension skills (especially inference-making ones).

2. This is sometimes called “reading between the lines”.
When inferring you go beyond what is stated explicitly in the text to infer
the intended message by paying attention to certain “clues”.
In order to infer meaning, you must combine the information that the author
has written with your reading and life experiences.
When you read a text, think of it as a WORD PICTURE. You must consider:
• The setting.
• A Character’s Personality or Emotions.
• What a Character’s Motives Might Be.
• What the Writer’s Motives behind writing the piece might be…

4. Look at the picture…
1.- Who are they?
2.- Where are they?
3.- Why the woman says that?

5. Look at the picture…
1.- What do they have
invented?
2.- Why the cavemen have
bruises and bandages?
3.- What are they feeling?

6. Look at the picture…
1.- What has happened?
2.- Can you explain the
reason why they have to
invent lawyers?

7. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
1.- Who is the main character of the
story?
a.) A man.
b.) A woman.

8. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
2.- Where is this woman?
a.) In the city.
b.) On the beach.
c.) In the countryside.

9. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
3.- What time of day is it?
a.) At dawn.
b.) In the night.
c.) At sunset.

10. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
4.- As she approaches, what does
she see?
a.) That someone has prepared a
romantic picnic for her.
b.) That someone has washed the
dishes.
c.) That she has prepared a
romantic picnic for someone.

11. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
5.- Will she spend the evening
alone?
a.) Yes.
b.) No.

12. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
6.- Is she happy and touched by
that gentle gesture?
a.) Yes.
b.) No.

13. The air blowing off of the water is clean and crisp. As she slowly made her way to
her destination, the damp sand beneath her feet began to stick to the bottom of her
toes. Finally, she was close enough to see. A blue and white table cloth spread
over the sand. Candles, crystal, and china glistened in the light of the setting sun.
She smiled, and a tear ran down her cheek.
7.- What can we assume about the
personality of the man who planned
this?
a.) He is romantic and caring.
b.) He is not romantic.