Maryland ELA RI.7.1
The Standard
Cite multiple pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts (2025)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students separate what an article says directly from what it suggests. They use at least two different details from the text to support each claim.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain a stated fact and a reasonable inference. They cite two relevant details for each and explain how those details support their thinking.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a guess based on personal experience as an inference. They may pick details that sound related but do not support the claim, or quote lines without explaining them.
How to Assess It
- Hand out a one-page article about cafeteria food waste. Ask: 'What problem does the article describe, and what might happen if it continues? Cite two details for each answer and explain the link.'
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a printed cafeteria waste article and two highlighters to mark stated facts and details that support an inference.
Ask students to write: 'Which cause of food waste seems easiest to change? Defend your answer with two details from the article.'
Play evidence match with claim cards and detail cards from the article; groups must find two supporting details for each claim.
Bring in a school cafeteria waste report; students cite two details to propose one change to the lunchroom.
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Printable RI.7.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to RI.7.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- RL.7.1
Cite multiple pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- RL.6.1
Cite multiple pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- RI.5.1
The 5th Grade version of this standard.
- RL.8.1
Cite multiple pieces of textual evidence that most strongly support an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
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