Daily Mind BuildersTM Science Inferential Reasoning and Deduction

WHALE OF A GOOD TIME

Read the true story below, then make an inference
based on the evidence in the story.
1
Sperm whales are known to be socially organized and divide themselves into different
social groups. 2One group, formed by one adult male and several females, is called
a harem school. 3Another group, consisting of playful young male whales, is called a
bachelor school. 4Still a third group, consisting of adult female whales and their calves, has
an appropriate name. Can you infer what this social group consisting of females and their
calves is called?

Your conclusion: _______________________________________________________

Which sentence has the best evidence to support your conclusion? ______

FIGURE OUT THE ORDER

Using the clues, cross out each wrong answer to match each animal with its speed.

MORE TOP SPEEDS OF SELECTED ANIMALS

50 mph 40 mph 35 mph 30 mph 25 mph

elephant elephant elephant elephant elephant
jackel jackel jackel jackel jackel
hyena hyena hyena hyena hyena
lion lion lion lion lion
warthog warthog warthog warthog warthog

1. A lion can run twice as fast as an elephant.

2. A warthog runs exactly ten mph slower than a hyena.

50 mph ________________________________

40 mph ________________________________

35 mph ________________________________

30 mph ________________________________

25 mph ________________________________

4 © 2009 The Critical Thinking Co.™ • www.CriticalThinking.com • 800-458-4849

Daily Mind BuildersTM Science Inferential Reasoning and Deduction

WHALE OF A GOOD TIME

Read the true story below, then make an inference
based on the evidence in the story.
1
Sperm whales are known to be socially organized and divide themselves into different
social groups. 2One group, formed by one adult male and several females, is called
a harem school. 3Another group, consisting of playful young male whales, is called a
bachelor school. 4Still a third group, consisting of adult female whales and their calves, has
an appropriate name. Can you infer what this social group consisting of females and their
calves is called?

Nursery school
Your conclusion: _______________________________________________________

4
Which sentence has the best evidence to support your conclusion? ______

FIGURE OUT THE ORDER

Using the clues, cross out each wrong answer to match each animal with its speed.

MORE TOP SPEEDS OF SELECTED ANIMALS

50 mph 40 mph 35 mph 30 mph 25 mph

elephant elephant elephant elephant elephant
jackel jackel jackel jackel jackel
hyena hyena hyena hyena hyena
lion lion lion lion lion
warthog warthog warthog warthog warthog

1. A lion can run twice as fast as an elephant.

2. A warthog runs exactly ten mph slower than a hyena.

Lion
50 mph ________________________________

Hyena
40 mph ________________________________

Jackal
35 mph ________________________________

Warthog
30 mph ________________________________

Elephant
25 mph ________________________________

4 © 2009 The Critical Thinking Co.™ • www.CriticalThinking.com • 800-458-4849