Question

directions: identify each statement as an observation (o), inference (i), prediction (p), or conclusion (c). 1. susie smells sugar, chocolate, and sweet odors. susie thinks someone is baking cookies. susie guesses she will be having cookies for dessert. cookies were served after dinner for dessert. 2. we tested the rocks and determined they were slate. i think there will be more rocks as we walk along the path. the rocks were round, hard, and had layers. i am guessing the rocks are metamorphic rocks. 3. the hawk ate a few worms after it was done flying. i am guessing the hawk uses its talons to catch small animals. i think the hawk will fly soon. the hawk has colorful feathers and is perched in a tree. 4. we got 4 inches of snow today and it is still snowing. i think school will be closed tomorrow. it must be below 32 degrees fahrenheit. we did not have school because of the snow.

Explanation:

• Observation (O): It is a statement based on what is directly perceived through the senses. For example, "Susie smells sugar, chocolate, and sweet odors" is an observation as it is about what she can smell (a direct sensory experience). "The rocks were round, hard, and had layers" is also an observation as it describes the physical characteristics of the rocks that can be seen or felt. "The hawk has colorful feathers and is perched in a tree" is an observation of the hawk's appearance and position. "We got 4 inches of snow today and it is still snowing" is an observation of the snowfall.
• Inference (I): It is a conclusion drawn from observations or prior knowledge. "Susie thinks someone is baking cookies" is an inference. She smells certain odors (observation) and infers that cookies are being baked. "I am guessing the rocks are metamorphic rocks" is an inference. Based on some characteristics (maybe observed or prior knowledge about rock types), a conclusion about the rock type is made. "I am guessing the hawk uses its talons to catch small animals" is an inference. It is a conclusion about the hawk's behavior based on what is known about hawks (maybe prior knowledge). "It must be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit" is an inference. Snow is falling (observation), and it is inferred that the temperature is below the freezing point (32°F for water to freeze as snow).
• Prediction (P): It is a statement about what will happen in the future. "Susie guesses she will be having cookies for dessert" is a prediction. She thinks about a future event (having cookies for dessert). "I think there will be more rocks as we walk along the path" is a prediction about what will be found in the future (more rocks). "I think the hawk will fly soon" is a prediction about the hawk's future action. "I think school will be closed tomorrow" is a prediction about a future school - related event.
• Conclusion (C): It is a final decision or judgment based on evidence. "Cookies were served after dinner for dessert" is a conclusion. It is a statement of what actually happened (a final outcome). "We tested the rocks and determined they were slate" is a conclusion. After testing (evidence - gathering), a final determination about the rock type is made. "We did not have school because of the snow" is a conclusion. It is a statement of the final outcome (no school) based on the snow (a factor).

Answer:

1.

• Susie smells sugar, chocolate, and sweet odors: O
• Susie thinks someone is baking cookies: I
• Susie guesses she will be having cookies for dessert: P
• Cookies were served after dinner for dessert: C

2.

• We tested the rocks and determined they were slate: C
• I think there will be more rocks as we walk along the path: P
• The rocks were round, hard, and had layers: O
• I am guessing the rocks are metamorphic rocks: I

3.

• The hawk ate a few worms after it was done flying: O
• I am guessing the hawk uses its talons to catch small animals: I
• I think the hawk will fly soon: P
• The hawk has colorful feathers and is perched in a tree: O

4.

• We got 4 inches of snow today and it is still snowing: O
• I think school will be closed tomorrow: P
• It must be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit: I
• We did not have school because of the snow: C