6th Grade (Age 11) English & History Worksheet — RI.6.1: Citing Textual Evidence & Drawing Inferences

Instructions

1. Read the short informational text below about the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke.
2. Carefully answer the questions in each section that follows. The goal is to practice being a historical detective!
3. For every answer, you must find direct evidence (a specific quote or detail) from the text to support your thinking.
4. Complete the sections in order, as they build on each other.

The Mystery of the Lost Colony

In 1587, a group of over 100 English settlers, led by Governor John White, established a colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of modern-day North Carolina. Soon after, John White sailed back to England to gather more supplies. Due to a war between England and Spain, his return was delayed for three long years.

When White finally returned in 1590, he found the settlement completely deserted. There were no signs of a battle or struggle. The houses had been taken down, suggesting the colonists had not left in a hurry. The only clues left behind were the word "CROATOAN" carved into a wooden post and the letters "CRO" carved into a nearby tree.

John White had previously instructed the colonists that if they had to leave, they should carve their destination into a tree. He also told them to carve a Maltese cross if they were in danger or forced to leave. No cross was found. White knew that "Croatoan" was the name of a nearby island (now called Hatteras Island) and the name of the Native American tribe that lived there. He wanted to sail to Croatoan Island to investigate, but a dangerous storm and a nervous crew forced his ship to return to England. The fate of the Roanoke colonists remains one of America’s oldest unsolved mysteries.

Part 1: Finding the Facts (Explicit Evidence)

Answer the following questions using information stated directly in the text. Write down the exact sentence or phrase that proves your answer.

1. How long was Governor John White away from the Roanoke colony?

   Your Answer:

   Evidence from the text:

2. What physical evidence suggested the colonists were not attacked or forced to leave in a hurry? (List two pieces of evidence).

   Your Answer (Evidence 1):

   Evidence from the text (Evidence 1):

   Your Answer (Evidence 2):

   Evidence from the text (Evidence 2):

3. What was the full word carved into the wooden post?

   Your Answer:

   Evidence from the text:

Part 2: Reading Between the Lines (Making Inferences)

An inference is a conclusion you reach based on evidence and reasoning. Below are two inferences. Find clues in the text that support them.

1. Inference: John White believed the "CROATOAN" carving was a message of communication, not a warning.

   What clue(s) in the text support this inference?

2. Inference: The colonists likely moved to a new location with the help of, or to join, the Croatoan people.

   What clue(s) in the text support this inference?

Part 3: Evidence Investigator Chart

Complete the chart below. In the first column, write a direct quote from the text. In the second column, write what you can infer from that piece of evidence. An example is provided.

Part 4: Case Closed? Your Final Analysis

Based only on the clues provided in the text, what do you think is the most likely explanation for what happened to the colonists of Roanoke? Write a short paragraph explaining your theory, using at least two specific pieces of evidence from the text to support your conclusion.

Challenge Question (Optional)

If you were an archaeologist investigating the Roanoke mystery today, which clue mentioned in the text—the carvings or the dismantled houses—would be more important for your investigation? Explain your reasoning.

Answer Key

Part 1: Finding the Facts (Explicit Evidence)

1. Your Answer: He was gone for three years. Evidence from the text: "...his return was delayed for three long years."
2. Your Answer (Evidence 1): There were no signs of a fight. Evidence from the text (Evidence 1): "There were no signs of a battle or struggle." Your Answer (Evidence 2): The houses had been taken down carefully. Evidence from the text (Evidence 2): "The houses had been taken down, suggesting the colonists had not left in a hurry." (Alternative answer for #2: No Maltese cross was found. Evidence: "He also told them to carve a Maltese cross if they were in danger or forced to leave. No cross was found.")
3. Your Answer: CROATOAN Evidence from the text: "...the word 'CROATOAN' carved into a wooden post..."

Part 2: Reading Between the Lines (Making Inferences)

1. Clues: The text states that White had told the colonists to carve their destination if they left. It also states they were told to carve a cross if they were in danger, and no cross was found. This combination suggests the carving was a planned message, not a warning.
2. Clues: The clue "CROATOAN" was the name of a nearby island and the people who lived there. Since there were no signs of a struggle and this was their only message, it is logical to infer they went there intentionally, possibly with the tribe's help.

Part 3: Evidence Investigator Chart (Answers will vary. Look for a direct quote and a logical inference. Examples below.)

Part 4: Case Closed? Your Final Analysis (Answers will vary). A strong answer will state a theory and support it with at least two pieces of text evidence. Example:

"Based on the text, the most likely explanation is that the Roanoke colonists willingly left their settlement to live on Croatoan Island. The first piece of evidence is that the houses were 'taken down,' which shows they didn't leave in a panic. The second, and most important, piece of evidence is the word 'CROATOAN' carved into the post. The text says this was the name of a nearby island and tribe, and that John White had told them to carve their destination if they moved. Since there was no distress signal like a cross, it seems they were sending a clear message about where they went."

Challenge Question (Answers will vary). Look for a clear choice and strong reasoning.

"The carvings would be more important. The dismantled houses tell us how they left (peacefully), but the carvings tell us where they might have gone. For an archaeologist, finding the destination is the key to finding artifacts, remains, or other evidence of what ultimately happened to the people themselves. The carving 'CROATOAN' provides a specific geographic location to focus a search."