Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Determining Author's Purpose 5 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage uses the phrase 'according to the National Institute of Health' three times and cites specific study results. This evidence MOST STRONGLY suggests the author's purpose is to:
- Entertain readers with medical stories
- Persuade readers to distrust government agencies
- Inform readers with credible, evidence-based information (Correct answer)
- Argue that only government research is valid
Correct answer: Inform readers with credible, evidence-based information
Repeated citation of credible institutions and specific study results is a technique used to establish authority and inform readers.
Question 2: In determining author's purpose, the term 'PIE' stands for:
- Predict, Interpret, Evaluate
- Persuade, Inform, Entertain (Correct answer)
- Purpose, Intent, Evidence
- Preview, Identify, Explain
Correct answer: Persuade, Inform, Entertain
PIE is a common reading strategy acronym standing for Persuade, Inform, and Entertaināthe three main author purposes.
Question 3: A passage describes how a new app works, lists its features, and explains its subscription pricing without recommending it or criticizing it. The author's purpose is to:
- Persuade readers to download the app
- Entertain readers with technology humor
- Inform readers about the app's capabilities and cost (Correct answer)
- Argue that the app is better than competitors
Correct answer: Inform readers about the app's capabilities and cost
A neutral description of features and pricing without recommendation or criticism is purely informational.
Question 4: An author writing a persuasive passage is MOST LIKELY to do which of the following?
- Present all sides of an issue equally
- Use only objective statistics with no commentary
- Anticipate and counter opposing arguments (Correct answer)
- Avoid expressing any personal opinion
Correct answer: Anticipate and counter opposing arguments
Anticipating and refuting counterarguments (called rebuttal) is a key persuasive technique that distinguishes persuasive from informational writing.
Question 5: A passage about a local sports team begins: 'Last Tuesday, the Riverside Ravens stunned the crowd with a comeback victory that no one saw coming.' The PRIMARY purpose of this opening is to:
- Persuade readers to attend future games
- Inform readers about the team's overall season record
- Entertain and hook readers with an exciting moment (Correct answer)
- Explain the rules of the sport being played
Correct answer: Entertain and hook readers with an exciting moment
An exciting narrative opening that highlights a dramatic moment is a storytelling technique designed to engage and entertain readers from the start.
Question 6: Which of the following passages BEST demonstrates writing whose purpose is to entertain?
- A step-by-step guide explaining how to change a tire
- A short story about a time traveler who accidentally causes historical chaos (Correct answer)
- An editorial arguing for stricter texting-while-driving laws
- A chart comparing the fuel efficiency of different car models
Correct answer: A short story about a time traveler who accidentally causes historical chaos
A fictional story about a time traveler is a creative, imaginative narrative with no practical information or persuasive argumentāits purpose is entertainment.
Question 7: On the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, questions about author's purpose MOST OFTEN require you to:
- Memorize definitions of literary terms
- Use context clues to infer why the author wrote the passage (Correct answer)
- Identify grammatical errors in the text
- Calculate how many facts are in the passage
Correct answer: Use context clues to infer why the author wrote the passage
Nelson-Denny author's purpose questions test the ability to use contextual evidenceātone, word choice, structureāto infer the author's intent.
Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Determining Author's Purpose 5
A passage uses the phrase 'according to the National Institute of Health' three times and cites specific study results.
This evidence MOST STRONGLY suggests the author's purpose is to: