Internet Academy

Instruction:

We're back to visiting our famous bag-shaped, spineless mollusk, The Octopus. You'll find the passage linked to the book icon on the right. Then we'll work through a multiple choice question where you'll make an inference from the information in the passage.

The Octopus

Question:

Suppose a deep-sea diver comes upon an octopus and frightens it. What is the octopus likely to do first?

Think:

What are the key words in this question?

suppose and likely to do first: You should recognize the question you to draw a conclusion, or make an inference from the facts presented in the text. These key words tell you the information is not directly stated.

suppose means you are not going to find the exact information about a deep-sea diver in the text. You must imagine the diver based on the information in the selection.

likely to do first means you take the information given and figure out what behavior the octopus will show first

also, notice these words: deep-sea diver is a person not expected in the octopus' environment, and frightens octopus. These give you the two active parties in the action you are imagining.

Ask:

As you read each answer choice, fill in the blank in this statement with the possible answer:

"If surprised by a deep-sea diver, an octopus would first _________ .

Then find information from the text to either support or contradict the statement. That is an easy way to eliminate an answer choice, or save it as a possibility.

Multiple Choice Answers:

Text Supports	Text Contradicts		Answers
		A.	Turn and attack Can you find information in the text to support or contradict this statement? Is this statement true or false? *If surprised by a deep-sea diver, an octopus would first turn and attack.* Consider the information in paragraph 2 stating, "in truth, these animals are fairly shy. . ." A shy animal would not turn and attack. This information contradicts answer choice A.
		B.	Wrap its tentacles around the diver Can you find information in the text to support or contradict this statement? Is this statement true or false? *If surprised by a deep-sea diver, an octopus would first wrap its tentacles around the diver.* Consider the information in paragraph 2 stating, "in truth, these animals are fairly shy. . ." A shy animal would not attack by wrapping its tentacles around the diver. This information contradicts answer choice B.
		C.	Shoot out ink Can you find information in the text to support or contradict this statement? Is this statement true or false? *If surprised by a deep-sea diver, an octopus would first shoot out ink.* Consider the information in paragraph 2 stating, "When frightened, they expel an inky cloud as a protective cover while they escape." Expel means to shoot out. Frightened is a key word in the question. This sentence supports Answer C.
		D.	Hide in a cave Can you find information in the text to support or contradict this statement? Is this statement true or false? *If surprised by a deep-sea diver, an octopus would first hide in a cave.* Consider the information in paragraph 2 stating the octopus "shelters" in caves and crevices. Shelter means they may live there or they may be escaping to safety there. Here you need to check the question again. If frightened they would eventually get to shelter, but FIRST, they would "expel an inky cloud" WHILE they escape. You would choose Answer C or Answer D because of the wording in the question.

Let's look at another example.

Example 2 >>