California High School Proficiency Exam California High School Proficiency Exam Reading Informational Texts 2

Question 1

What is the main purpose of a biographical text?

Accepted Answer

To provide factual information about a real person's life

Answer

A biography presents researched, factual information about the life of a real person.

Question 2

In a newspaper editorial, the author's primary goal is to:

Accepted Answer

Persuade readers to agree with a particular viewpoint

Answer

Editorials are opinion pieces in which authors use evidence and reasoning to persuade readers to support their viewpoint.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a primary source?

Accepted Answer

A diary written by a soldier during the Civil War

Answer

A primary source is a firsthand account created at the time of the event, such as a soldier's personal diary.

Question 4

When an author uses statistics in an informational text, the primary purpose is to:

Accepted Answer

Support claims with numerical evidence

Answer

Authors use statistics as quantitative evidence to substantiate claims and add credibility to their arguments.

Question 5

What does 'bias' mean in the context of an informational text?

Accepted Answer

The author favors one perspective and may omit opposing views

Answer

Bias occurs when an author presents information in a way that unfairly favors one viewpoint while ignoring or downplaying others.

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test