Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Determining Author's Purpose 3

Question 1

When an author uses the words 'unfortunately,' 'tragically,' and 'heartbreaking' throughout a passage, these words MOST LIKELY indicate the author's purpose is to:

Accepted Answer

Persuade or create an emotional response in readers

Answer

Loaded emotional language like 'tragically' and 'heartbreaking' signals the author wants to sway the reader's feelings or opinions.

Question 2

A passage titled 'How Vaccines Work' explains the immune system's response to vaccines using diagrams and step-by-step descriptions. The author's purpose is MOST LIKELY to:

Accepted Answer

Inform readers about the biological mechanism of vaccines

Answer

Step-by-step descriptions with diagrams explaining a biological process are characteristic of writing meant to inform.

Question 3

A children's book features a talking turtle who learns the importance of patience after losing a race. The PRIMARY purpose of this story is to:

Accepted Answer

Entertain and teach a moral lesson

Answer

Fables and children's stories that feature anthropomorphized animals and moral lessons are written primarily to entertain while imparting values.

Question 4

An author writes: 'Every American should demand their representative support the Clean Water Act. Our children's health depends on it.' What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

To persuade readers to take political action

Answer

'Should demand' and an appeal to children's health are persuasive techniques calling readers to specific political action.

Question 5

A passage presents a fictional conversation between two scientists who joke about their failed experiments while still making important discoveries. The author's purpose is MOST LIKELY to:

Accepted Answer

Entertain readers while illustrating the nature of scientific work

Answer

A fictional, humorous dialogue illustrating a theme combines entertainment as the primary purpose with secondary informational value.

Nelson-Denny Reading Test Practice Test

Nelson-Denny Reading Test Practice Test

Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Determining Author's Purpose 3