How can I predict whether a molecule is polar or not?

I have question concerning the difference between a molecule being polar or nonpolar...for example H2O is polar and CCl4 is nonpolar. How in the world am I suppose to distinguish that? I am looking at a chart that is showing...ion-dipole, dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, induced dipole-induced dipole...Help!!!! It was suppose to be the summary and I have no clue what they are talking about.
Maria Chang 8/26/99

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

Copyright © 1997-2001 by Fred Senese
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Last Revised 02/23/18.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/bonds/faq/predicting-polarity.shtml