RLA - Reasoning through Language Arts Author's Purpose and Tone Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following excerpt from a letter to the editor:
'Our city's decision to cut funding for the public library is a grave mistake. The library is a vital resource for everyone, providing free access to books, internet services, and educational programs. For many, it is the only place to connect with the digital world and search for employment. Slashing its budget will disproportionately harm our most vulnerable citizens. We must demand our city council reverse this short-sighted and damaging decision.'
What is the author's primary purpose for writing this letter?
- To inform readers about the library's services
- To entertain readers with a story about the library
- To persuade readers to take action against the budget cuts (Correct answer)
- To express personal feelings of nostalgia for the library
Correct answer: To persuade readers to take action against the budget cuts
The author uses strong, persuasive language like 'grave mistake,' 'vital resource,' and 'demand our city council reverse this...decision.' The primary goal is not just to inform, but to convince readers to act and oppose the budget cuts.
Question 2: An author writes an article detailing the step-by-step process of photosynthesis, using scientific terminology and diagrams to illustrate the stages. Which of the following best describes the author's purpose?
- To persuade
- To entertain
- To mislead
- To inform (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To inform
The author's goal is to provide factual, detailed information about a scientific process. The use of steps, terminology, and diagrams points to the purpose of educating or informing the reader.
Question 3: Consider this sentence: 'The dilapidated old house groaned under the weight of the relentless, weeping sky.' What is the tone of this sentence?
- Joyful and optimistic
- Humorous and lighthearted
- Somber and gloomy (Correct answer)
- Neutral and objective
Correct answer: Somber and gloomy
The author's word choice, such as 'dilapidated,' 'groaned,' 'relentless,' and 'weeping,' creates a feeling of sadness, decay, and misery. This establishes a somber and gloomy tone.
Question 4: A travel brochure describes a tropical resort using phrases like 'sun-drenched paradise,' 'crystal-clear waters,' and 'an escape from the everyday.' The primary purpose is to persuade visitors to book a vacation. How does the author's tone support this purpose?
- The critical and analytical tone encourages readers to research the resort.
- The enthusiastic and positive tone creates a desire for the experience. (Correct answer)
- The sarcastic and mocking tone suggests the resort is not as good as it seems.
- The formal and objective tone provides a list of facts and figures.
Correct answer: The enthusiastic and positive tone creates a desire for the experience.
To persuade people to visit, the author adopts an enthusiastic and positive tone. Words like 'paradise' and 'escape' are chosen to evoke feelings of excitement and desire, making the reader want to experience the resort.
Question 5: Which of the following statements best distinguishes between an author's purpose and tone?
- Purpose is the author's feeling, while tone is the reason for writing.
- Purpose is the central argument, while tone is the supporting evidence.
- Purpose is what the author wants to achieve, while tone is the attitude conveyed through word choice. (Correct answer)
- Purpose is the intended audience, while tone is the subject matter of the text.
Correct answer: Purpose is what the author wants to achieve, while tone is the attitude conveyed through word choice.
The author's purpose is their main reason for writing (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain). The tone is the author's attitude or feeling about the subject, which is expressed through their specific choice of words and writing style.
Question 6: A restaurant review includes the following sentence: 'While the presentation was artful, the so-called 'gourmet' burger was a dry, flavorless puck of meat that would be more at home holding a door open.' What is the author's tone toward the burger?
- Admiring
- Neutral
- Confused
- Sarcastic (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sarcastic
The author uses sarcasm to convey their disappointment. Calling the burger 'so-called gourmet' and comparing it to a doorstop is a form of ironic criticism, indicating that the food was the opposite of what was promised.
