Title: Think Aloud Demonstrating Inferring
Course: Reading Summer School

Excerpt from Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell.

Think of what information the author wants you to infer as you read this selection. Click on the "Think Aloud" Mp3 file to see an example of how the author wants you to infer to understand the text.

Attorney Kerry Randall said, "Contrary to popular opinion, life does not get better by chance; it is the change of thought that creates the better life." Improvement comes from change, but change requires confidence. For that reason, you need to make confidence in yourself a priority. You need to put believing in your potential, yourself, your mission, and your fellow human beings at the top of your list. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asserted, "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." Don't let your doubts cause your expector to expire.

Harvey McKay tells the story of a professor who stood before a class of thirty senior molecular biology students. Before he passed out the final exam, he stated, "I have been privileged to be your instructor this semester, and I know how hard you have worked to prepare for this test. I also know most of you are off to medical school or grad school next fall. I am well aware of how much pressure you are under to keep your GPAs up, and because I am confident that you know this material, I am prepared to offer an automatic B to anyone who opts to skip taking the final exam."

The relief was audible. A number of students jumped up from their desks, thank their professor for the lifeline he has thrown them.

"Any other takers?" he asked. "This is your last opportunity."

One more student decided to go.

The instructor then handed out the final exam, which consisted of two sentences. "Congratulations," it read, "you have just received an A in this class. Keep believing in yourself." It was a just reward for the students who had worked hard and believed in themselves.