An inference question is one that asks a student to determine something that is not directly stated in the text. The question may ask why a character responded as he did or what the child thinks will happen next. Because young children are quite literal, this is often very difficult; they have to "read between the lines" when they can barely read. Please see below for a selection of Leveled Lessons for Below Level (basic), and/or On Level (median), and/or Above Level (competent) readers.

Read a simple story such as a fairy tale to your students; this example will feature "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." After the students have read and discussed the story, ask them if they would like to have Goldilocks as a friend. Have the class divide into two groups – those that say "yes" and those that do not want her as a friend. Then have them discuss why they like Goldilocks or why they do not like her and would not like her as a friend. After the students have had a few minutes to themselves, ask each group to tell why they chose the answer they did. (If you have an aide or helper in the class, you and the other adult may help to facilitate these discussions.) If students say they would not choose her as a friend because she is "naughty," then they are making an inference. The word "naughty" is not in the book. When they have to explain why they think she was naughty and what she did that was wrong, they are using details from the story to justify their inferences.