Inferring Characters' Feelings and Motives
Draw inferences from independently-read texts, such as inferring characters' feelings, thoughts and motives from their actions, and justifying inferences with evidence from the text
Suggested ages 7–10
Learning journey
Your child is developing deeper reading skills — identifying main ideas across multiple paragraphs, making inferences about characters and themes, and understanding how authors use language and text features to create meaning and effect.
Evidence of understanding
- Infer a character's feelings or motives from their actions and dialogue (e.g. 'She slammed the door — how is she feeling?')
- Justify an inference by quoting or pointing to specific evidence in the text
- Distinguish between what is explicitly stated and what must be inferred from clues in the text
Assessment prompt
After Inferring Characters' Feelings and Motives reads a chapter of a novel, can they explain how a character was feeling and why — pointing to something the character said or did as their evidence?
Standards alignment
RI.4.1
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 4
RL.4.1
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 4
Draw inferences
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2
Draw inferences
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2