OST Purpose and Usage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student writes an essay arguing that schools should start later in the morning. What is the primary purpose of this essay?
- To entertain readers with funny stories about tired students
- To persuade readers that later school start times are beneficial (Correct answer)
- To inform readers about the history of school schedules
- To describe a typical morning routine at a high school
Correct answer: To persuade readers that later school start times are beneficial
An essay that argues for a specific position is written to persuade the audience.
Question 2: Which sentence uses the word 'principal' correctly?
- The principal reason for the delay was bad weather. (Correct answer)
- She was the principle leader of the group.
- Following this principle is key to success.
- The principle office is located downtown.
Correct answer: The principal reason for the delay was bad weather.
'Principal' as an adjective means 'main' or 'chief,' so 'principal reason' is correct.
Question 3: A news article begins: 'Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea fish near the coast of Japan.' What is the author's most likely purpose?
- To persuade readers to protect ocean life
- To entertain readers with an adventure story
- To inform readers about a scientific discovery (Correct answer)
- To describe the beauty of the Japanese coast
Correct answer: To inform readers about a scientific discovery
News articles that report on factual events are written primarily to inform.
Question 4: Select the sentence that uses correct subject-verb agreement.
- The team of players are warming up on the field.
- Neither the coach nor the players was ready.
- Each of the students have completed their assignment.
- The group of scientists has published its findings. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The group of scientists has published its findings.
Collective nouns like 'group' take a singular verb when acting as one unit.
Question 5: An author uses the phrase 'the clock is ticking' to create urgency in a story. This is an example of which type of figurative language?
- Simile
- Personification
- Idiom (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
Correct answer: Idiom
'The clock is ticking' is a common idiom used to express that time is running out.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a comma in a compound sentence?
- She studied hard, but she still felt nervous about the test. (Correct answer)
- She studied hard but, she still felt nervous about the test.
- She studied hard but she still felt nervous, about the test.
- She studied, hard but she still felt nervous about the test.
Correct answer: She studied hard, but she still felt nervous about the test.
A comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction (but, and, or) that joins two independent clauses.
Question 7: A recipe booklet is written to teach readers how to prepare meals. What is its primary purpose?
- Persuade
- Entertain
- Reflect
- Inform (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Inform
A recipe booklet provides instructions and facts, making its primary purpose to inform.
OST Purpose and Usage 2
A student writes an essay arguing that schools should start later in the morning.
What is the primary purpose of this essay?