TOEFL Reading: Rhetorical Purpose Questions 2

Question 1

A TOEFL rhetorical purpose question typically begins with which phrase?

Accepted Answer

Why does the author mention...

Answer

Rhetorical purpose questions ask why the author includes a detail, often phrased 'Why does the author mention...'.

Question 2

When an author provides a specific example right after a general claim, the example's purpose is usually to:

Accepted Answer

Illustrate or support the claim

Answer

Examples placed after a claim are used to illustrate and support that claim.

Question 3

The phrase 'In contrast' signals that the author intends to:

Accepted Answer

Show a difference between two ideas

Answer

'In contrast' introduces a difference or opposition between ideas.

Question 4

If a passage introduces a surprising statistic, the author's likely rhetorical purpose is to:

Accepted Answer

Emphasize the scale or importance of a point

Answer

Striking statistics are used to stress how significant or large something is.

Question 5

An author quotes a leading scientist primarily in order to:

Accepted Answer

Lend authority and credibility to a claim

Answer

Citing an expert adds authority and credibility to the argument.

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