Missing-Word Investigator

This worksheet supports students in Grades 4 and 5 as they strengthen reading comprehension and inferencing skills by determining missing words or phrases using contextual evidence. Learners analyze clues from setting, dialogue, tone, and character behavior to select the most logical missing detail, reinforcing careful reading, prediction, and interpretation of implied meaning.

Learning Goals

• Inferencing from Context (Grades 4-5) – Students determine missing information by analyzing clues embedded in the text.
• Context Clue Analysis – Learners use surrounding details to infer meaning rather than relying on explicit statements.
• Logical Reasoning – Students evaluate multiple possibilities and select the option that best fits the passage.
• Text Interpretation Skills – Reinforces understanding of implied information and narrative coherence.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with upper-elementary reading comprehension standards.
• Engaging, Relatable Scenarios – Everyday situations such as forgotten lunches and mysterious packages keep students motivated.
• Focus on Evidence-Based Thinking – Encourages students to justify choices using textual clues.
• Flexible Classroom Use – Ideal for literacy centers, guided reading, independent practice, or formative assessment.

This missing-word investigator worksheet helps students become stronger readers by teaching them how to infer unseen details from context. By identifying the most logical missing words or phrases, learners sharpen comprehension, critical thinking, and confidence in interpreting text beyond what is directly stated. Whether used in a classroom or homeschool setting, this printable resource offers meaningful, low-prep practice that builds essential inference and context-clue skills.

This worksheet is part of our Making Inferences Worksheets collection.