Making Predictions

Making Predictions

Learn about making predictions: If you are like most TV and movie viewers, you make guesses about how the story you're watching will turn out. Making guesses about future events is called predicting. If you are watching a mystery, you might predict who has committed the crime. If you are watching a comedy, you might predict how a rediculous plan will backfire. Making predictions is part of the pleasure of viewing a story because predicting keeps you involved and interested. You want to find out if your prediction is right.

Making predictions is also part of the pleasure of reading a story. As you read, ask yourself:

* What do I know about the character likly to behave selfishly? generously? foolishly? cleverly?

* What do I know about this kind of story? Is it a mystery with details that might be clues? Is it an adventure story in which I can predict likely dangers to come? a legend in which great strength or heroism will probably be shown? a realistic story in which characters will act like people I know?

As you continue to read, you should check your predictions. Change your predictions or make new ones as you learn new information about the characters and events.

Reading Activity

Reading 1: Read this opening to a story and predict what will happen next?

Long, long ago in China, a boy named Yu Shin grew up with a good heart. Despite his kindness to everyone, Yu Shin was harhly  treated by his parents, who favoured Yu Shin's spoiled and selfish brother. One day, after after Yu Shin was punished for doing nothing wrong, he went to the house of his teacher, an elderly man who was Yu Shin's only source of comfort. "How is it that parents may give special foods and favours to one son yet to the other son give only crunbs and cruelty?" Yu Shin asked.

"There is no answer to that question," replied Yu Shin's teacher. "Bu, as Confucius wisely teaches, you must remain obedient to your parents. Do not envy your brother. Your goodness will help you rise above any evil that surrounds you now. Be unafraid."

Yu Shin bowed and accepted his teacher's advice. He returned home, determined to accept whatever would happen without complaint.

1. What I know sofar: ................................................................

2. What will happen next about Yu Shin: ..................................................................

Reading 2: How Ann Got Free Movie Tickets

Ann and Isabella read an announcement on the school's bullentin board. It said students could earn free movie passes by doing community service work on weekends. "Look," said Ann to Isabella. "there are projects for students in all grades." Isabella looked at the list of projects.

"I don't want to spend my Saturdays weeding gradens or working at the recycling center, "said Isabella.

"But it'll be fun," coaxed Ann. "We could work together." Isabella made a face. Ann wasn't going to be able to convince her friend to join her.

3. What you think will happend next: ....................................................

4. What is the clue of your prediction: .....................................................

Reading 3: In the Valley of the Kings

The fame and fortune that would soon be his were still only a dream to Howard Carter on thathot and dusty day in November of 1922. As he stood under the blazing sun of the Egyptian desert, 

Carter wondered if all his years of searching in the Valley of the Kings would finally be rewarded.

Would he discover the tomb of the legendary pharaoh, Tutankhamen?

Howard Carter had been living in Egypt since he was 17. He was now 50. For several years,

Carter and his supporters, fellow Englishman Lord Carnarvon, had been searching for a tomb that still held the treasures of the past. Most of the tombs that had been discovered had been robbed long ago by ancient treasure seekers. Carter and Carnarvon were hoping they would be the ones to find the tomb of  Tutankhamen. They believed that his tomb still held the pharaoh’s wealth.

Carter knew that Lord Carnarvon would withdraw his financial support. Carter was becoming

desperate. On November 3, as he and his team of Egyptian workers were digging, they came

across a series of steps. After uncovering 12 steps they discovered a door. The door was secured with the ancient seal of the royal burial grounds. As Carter later wrote of the moment, “I found myself after years of comparatively unproductive labor on the threshold of what might prove to be a magnificent discovery. Anything, literally anything, might lie beyond that passage…..”

5. What will most likely happen next?

1. Lord Carnarvon will cut off all support, and Carter will be unable to continue his work.
2. The Egyptian workers will refuse to continue digging.
3. Carter’s discover will prove to be another entrance to a previously discovered tomb.
4. Carter’s discovery will turn out to be the tomb of King Tutankhamen.

6. Where did you find clues to help you make your prediction?

1. in the title of the article
2. in the details provided about Lord Carnarvon’s behaviour
3. in the details provided about Carter’s later life
4. in what Carter was quoted as saying