Free ACT Reading: Author's Purpose Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A passage opens with a detailed account of a child's first experience seeing the ocean, using sensory language and emotional reflection. The author's primary purpose is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Evoke an emotional response and draw the reader into a personal narrative

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Persuade readers to take children to the ocean

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Explain the scientific properties of ocean water

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Compare ocean experiences across different cultures

Question 2

An author writes: "The city's recycling program, despite widespread public support, processes less than 12% of eligible waste. Funding cuts, inadequate infrastructure, and poor public education are the primary culprits." What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

To analyze and critique the failures of an existing recycling program using evidence

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To entertain readers with anecdotes about recycling

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To compare this city's recycling program favorably with others

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To persuade readers to recycle more at home

Question 3

A historical passage describes the Treaty of Versailles in neutral, factual language, listing its key provisions and the nations involved. The author's primary purpose is:

Accepted Answer

To inform readers about the treaty's terms and historical context

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To argue that the treaty was unjust to Germany

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To entertain readers with diplomatic negotiations as drama

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To compare the treaty to modern peace agreements

Question 4

A literary passage repeatedly describes a factory as "a great iron beast devouring the countryside." What is the author's purpose in using this language?

Accepted Answer

To convey a critical, negative perspective on industrialization through vivid metaphor

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To describe the factory's literal physical size

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To persuade readers to support factory construction

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To compare factories to actual animals for scientific accuracy

Question 5

An ACT passage about vaccination ends: "The evidence is unambiguous: vaccines save lives. Hesitancy based on discredited studies costs lives. The choice is that stark." What is the author's primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

To persuade readers to accept vaccination by presenting a clear, evidence-based argument

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To inform readers about how vaccines work scientifically

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To entertain readers with stories about vaccine development

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To compare different vaccine types for effectiveness

Question 6

An author writes about coral reef bleaching, describing declining coverage percentages, temperature increases, and chemical processes. The passage avoids expressing opinions. The primary purpose is:

Accepted Answer

To inform readers about the scientific causes and extent of coral reef bleaching

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To persuade readers to reduce carbon emissions

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To entertain readers with colorful descriptions of coral

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To compare coral reefs in different oceans