Logic and Inference

1. Logic and Inference TOEFL Course: Week 2MachalaPasajeArenillasSanta Rosa

2. Objectives • We will review a biography/historical essay • We will go over questions • We will understand what logic is • We will practice logic and inference questions

3. Warm-Up • Context Clues!!! • Putrid • Rotten: rotten smell, trash can • Predominated • Led: improving assembly line, many years • Synergy • Teamwork: children, project a huge success • Entomologist • Expert on insects: “or” • Feasible • Workable: “thought it was workable” • Catharsis • Purging: cried for a long time, good for us

4. Biography/Historical Essays • Purpose: give information about a singular event or person • Note taking: focus on the BIG happenings, dates • Questions: Fact based questions about someone’s life or event, also summary questions • EXAMPLE: Jim Henson

5. Let’s go over the questions… • 1. When did he start making puppets? • 2. What were some of the characters on Sesame Street he created? • 3. Why did he use puppets to engage children on Sesame Street? • 4. Why do you think the Muppet Show was so popular and successful? • 5. How did he use his ingenuity and creativity to make the world a better place?

6. Why was this a biographical essay? • It was specific • The questions focused on Jim Henson’s life • Notes: • Focus on his life • Dates • Big events: Muppets, Sesame street, etc.

7. Quick tips on note taking… • Why should we take notes? • Notes allow you to refresh your mind when answering questions • Take less time because you do not have to go back to the text • TIPS: • Use shorthand: Henson- creator (Muppets), producer (Sesame Street), won awards (Emmy, Grammy and Peabody) • Write while you read, allows you to track what you are reading • Write main points

8. What about the logic questions? • Why did he use puppets to engage children on Sesame Street? • Why do you think the Muppet Show was so popular and successful? • How did he use his ingenuity and creativity to make the world a better place? • This is where YOU have to decide what would be the best answer

9. What’s going on in this photo?

10. What’s going on in this photo?

11. What is an inference question? • They can involve… • Main idea • Author’s purpose • Vocabulary

12. Main idea • What is it? • The main idea is topic, and possibly the argument • Focus of the essay • How to find it? • Usually this is found in the introduction, and repeated in the conclusion • So, what is the main idea for the Jim Henson reading?

13. Vocabulary in context • What is it? • These are the questions that ask you to find a synonym to the word given • The context clues we have been working on • How to find it? • Use your skills on context clues • What were some words you had to use the context to find the definition with the Jim Henson reading?

14. Author’s purpose • What is it? • This is the author’s opinion about a subject • What the author wants the reader to know and feel about the subject • How to find it? • Look at the words, are they mainly negative? I.E.: are there a lot of “can’t” or “shouldn’t” • What does the author say in the conclusion? • What did the author of the Jim Henson reading want you to feel?

15. Strategies!! • Use what you know! • Most times you have experience with these questions, or inferences • When thinking about the author’s voice… • Look at the words!!! Are there more negatives (can’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t) or positives (would, should, could, can)? • Think about having a conversation with the author, what would they sound like? • Read between the lines!!! • People always say one thing, and want you to figure what they mean, do this!

16. Using your best inference strategies, make an inference about the following statements.  • A man ran after a retreating bus, waving his briefcase frantically. • You're driving on the highway, listening to the radio, and a police officer pulls you over. • No, Honey, I don’t want you to spend a lot of money on my birthday present. Just having you for a husband is the only gift I need. In fact, I’ll just drive my old rusty bucket of bolts down to the mall and buy myself a little present. And if the poor old car doesn't break down, I’ll be back soon. • A woman walks into a hospital clutching her abdomen and cursing out her husband, who trails behind her carrying a large bag.

17. Inference in practice!!! The widow Elsa was as complete a contrast to her third bridegroom, in everything but age, as can be conceived. Compelled to relinquish her first marriage after her husband died in the war, she married a man twice her years to whom she became an exemplary wife despite their having nothing in common, and by whose death she was left in possession of a splendid fortune, though she gave it away to the church. Next, a southern gentleman, considerably younger than herself, succeeded to her hand, and carried her to Charleston, where, after many uncomfortable years, she found herself again a widow. It would have been remarkable if any feeling had survived through such a life as Elsa's; it could not but be crushed and killed by the early disappointment of her first groom's demise, the icy duty of her second marriage, and the unkindness of her third husband, which had inevitably driven her to connect the idea of his death with that of her comfort.

18. Questions???? • Expository essay • Underline the main points!!!! • What is the tone/what does the author “feel”? • Listening! • Go to voanews.com • Pick a recent news article, listen, and take notes • Be prepared to present to another friend!