• In the lifeguard-supervised beach area, red warning flags flapped in the wind.
• Families dotted the shoreline, wading, skiboarding, and building sandcastles, but no one was swimming.
• Farther down the beach, in the unsupervised area, a few surfers rode the waves.

	a. It is too windy to be in the water.
	b. Sharks have been sighted.
	c. The riptides are too treacherous for swimming.
	d. Lifeguards have determined that the conditions are not safe for swimming today.

• John is surrounded by stacks of library books.
• Index cards, filled with notes, sit next to his computer.
• On the computer monitor is a working thesis statement and detailed outline.

	a. John has waited until the last minute to write his research paper.
	b. John is still in high school and is working on an essay for a college application.
	c. John does not like English.
	d. John is preparing to write a research paper.

• Elias makes his bed and begins putting away the clothes on the floor of his room.
• In the corner of the bedroom is a 16- by 24-inch canvas of an unfinished painting.
• Tubes of acrylic paint, a palette, and clean brushes line a nearby table.


What can you infer from these details?  

	a. Elias cannot work in the midst of clutter.
	b. Elias is an excellent artist who must wait for inspiration before he can begin to work.
	c. Elias is cleaning his room before he returns to working on his painting.
	d. Elias dreads working on the painting and is postponing the work by doing other chores.

• In the Jeep are tightly rolled sleeping bags and a new tent.
• A camping stove, a Dutch oven, and an unopened bag of charcoal sit in the driveway next to the car.
• A box of groceries and a cooler of ice are on the front porch.

	a. The family has just returned home from a camping trip.
	b. The family is preparing to go on a camping trip.
	c. The family is being evacuated because of a hurricane.
	d. The family is preparing for a cross-country excursion.

• The thermostat always reads below 65 degrees in Chris's home.
• Each evening a fire blazes in the fireplace.
• Frequently, candles of varying sizes flicker in the den and kitchen.

	a. The power is out.
	b. Chris does not care if the other family members are uncomfortable.
	c. Chris prefers cool temperatures and the illumination of candles and a fire.
	d. Chris will soon be sick from the cooler temperatures in his home.

• The sign reads, "First Time Ever Sale! Omni Game Box Now Half Off!"
• A line of patrons snakes along the aisle by the customer service counter.
• Each patron has a sales receipt in one hand and an Omni Game Box in the other.

	a. Customers who bought the Omni Game Box are displeased with their purchase.
	b. Omni Game Box is a poorly made imitation of a good product.
	c. Customers want to exchange their Omni Game Boxes for a better product.
	d. Customers want to return their Omni Game Boxes.

• Dandelions and buttercups dot the field.
• Sweater-clad families spread the contents of their picnic baskets on blankets.
• Some children are flying kites in the blustery wind.

	a. It is fall, and a hurricane warning has been issued.
	b. It is the Fourth of July.
	c. The season is spring.
	d. It is a Sunday afternoon in the park.

• A sprinkler whirrs over a green lawn, which sports a sign saying, "Well water used here."
• Next door, the grass is sparse, and the shrubs and flowers are brown and wilted.
• The cars in both driveways are covered with a film of dust.

	a. The neighbors with the dying shrubs do not have a well.
	b. There is a drought in the area, and watering restrictions are in effect.
	c. The neighbor with the wilted flowers does not care about the landscape of the property.
	d. The neighbor with the dying lawn and shrubs has not watered the lawn and garden enough.

• All public restrooms in the town have the water faucets turned off and have hand sanitizers by the sink instead.
• In local public restaurants, food is served on paper plates and menus have handwritten notes, "Water will be served only on request."
• In local hotels, water fountains, which are turned off, have been replaced by containers of bottled water.

	a. The town is on water restrictions.
	b. The town's water supply has been contaminated.
	c. The local merchants are tying to save money by using less water.
	d. The cost of water has increased significantly in the area.

• The cottage deck railing is decorated with strings of colorful lights.
• Reggae music fills the air,and laughter ripples from the people inside, who are holding full Margarita glasses.
• The aroma of grilled blackened tuna wafts from the deck.

	a. People are gathered for a birthday party.
	b. The occasion is a party after a wedding.
	c. It is Christmas at the beach.
	d. People have gathered to enjoy company, music, and food.

• The sky is pewter gray.
• The temperature has dropped rapidly and now hovers around 29 degrees.
• The humidity is 90 percent, and the barometric pressure is falling.

	a. It will probably snow soon.
	b. The precipitation will begin as rain and taper ff in a few hours.
	c. The precipitation will begin as snow and then change to rain.
	d. A hurricane is approaching.

• Rachel has cat figurines on the shelf by her bed.
• She wears a T-shirt that says, "Love me, love my cat."
• A box of kitty litter sits in the corner of the laundry room.

	a. Rachel's cat has run away.
	b. Rachel is a cat lover.
	c. Rachel is obsessed with cats.
	d. Rachel loves cats but is allergic to them.

• On the closet door hangs a stunning sea-foam green formal dress with shimmering glass beads and sequins.
• Stephanie sits in front of the mirror, carefully applying her makeup.
• Stephanie's hair is in hot curlers, and she is dressed in her bathrobe and fuzzy blue slippers.

	a. Stephanie is preparing to go to the prom.
	b. Stephanie is preparing to go to a dance.
	c. Stephanie is preparing to go out.
	d. Stephanie is preparing for bed.

• Josh goes to swimming practice every morning from 4:00 to 7:00 a.m.
• Josh goes to history class from 8:00 to 8:50 a.m. three days a week.
• Josh has fallen asleep in history class twice this week.

	a. History is a difficult course for Josh.
	b. The history teacher is a boring lecturer.
	c. Josh is sick.
	d. Josh needs to get more rest.

• The downhill skier travels at a fast clip along the slope while fans cheer on the sidelines.
• He glides over the finish line.
• When he looks at the clock, the skier sighs heavily, shrugs, and then slumps slightly as he moves to the sidelines.

	a. The skier has improved his time.
	b. The skier has injured himself on the run.
	c. The skier has won a medal.
	d. The skier is disappointed with his time.