PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Author's Purpose 6 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A travel blogger writes a post filled with vivid descriptions of colorful markets, delicious street food, and breathtaking sunsets in Thailand. What is the author's primary purpose?
- To persuade readers to boycott Thailand
- To entertain and paint a vivid picture of travel experiences (Correct answer)
- To inform readers about Thailand's political history
- To explain how to apply for a Thai visa
Correct answer: To entertain and paint a vivid picture of travel experiences
The use of vivid sensory descriptions and colorful language signals the author's intent to entertain and create an engaging picture, not to argue a position or provide factual instruction.
Question 2: A pamphlet at the doctor's office lists the dangers of smoking, shares statistics about lung cancer rates, and urges readers to call a quit-smoking hotline. What is the author's purpose?
- To entertain readers with stories about smokers
- To persuade readers to stop smoking (Correct answer)
- To describe how cigarettes are manufactured
- To inform readers about the history of tobacco
Correct answer: To persuade readers to stop smoking
The combination of alarming statistics and a call to action (the hotline) shows the author wants to change the reader's behavior, which is the hallmark of persuasion.
Question 3: A biography recounts the life of Harriet Tubman, detailing her escape from slavery, her work on the Underground Railroad, and the many people she helped reach freedom. What is the author's primary purpose?
- To persuade readers that slavery was wrong
- To entertain readers with an action adventure story
- To inform readers about Harriet Tubman's life and contributions (Correct answer)
- To explain how the Underground Railroad was built
Correct answer: To inform readers about Harriet Tubman's life and contributions
A biography's primary purpose is to inform readers about the events and significance of a real person's life, even if it is also inspiring or emotionally engaging.
Question 4: A comedian writes a humorous essay about the chaos of trying to assemble furniture without reading the instructions, comparing himself to a confused penguin. What is the author's purpose?
- To instruct readers on how to assemble furniture correctly
- To entertain readers through humor and relatable storytelling (Correct answer)
- To persuade readers to hire professional furniture assemblers
- To inform readers about common furniture assembly mistakes
Correct answer: To entertain readers through humor and relatable storytelling
The exaggerated comparison and comedic tone reveal that the author's goal is to entertain, not teach a skill or change the reader's opinion.
Question 5: A community newsletter includes a letter from a local parent urging neighbors to sign a petition against closing the neighborhood library, arguing it is vital for children's education. What is the author's purpose?
- To entertain readers with a story about a library
- To inform readers about the library's history
- To describe the services the library currently offers
- To persuade readers to support keeping the library open (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To persuade readers to support keeping the library open
Urging readers to sign a petition is a direct call to action, which reveals the author's persuasive purpose — to convince the community to take a specific step.
Question 6: A science magazine article uses diagrams and step-by-step descriptions to explain how hurricanes form over warm ocean water. What is the author's primary purpose?
- To warn readers to evacuate during hurricanes
- To entertain readers with dramatic storm stories
- To inform readers about the science behind hurricane formation (Correct answer)
- To persuade readers that climate change causes more hurricanes
Correct answer: To inform readers about the science behind hurricane formation
Diagrams and step-by-step explanations are tools of informative writing; the author's goal is to help readers understand a natural process, not to argue a viewpoint or tell a story.
PARCC - Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Author's Purpose 6
A travel blogger writes a post filled with vivid descriptions of colorful markets, delicious street food, and breathtaking sunsets in Thailand.
What is the author's primary purpose?