Author's Purpose
A flyer says, Join us Saturday for the school clean-up! Help make our campus shine." What is the author's main purpose?
To persuade
A picture book uses large print, colorful drawings, and simple sentences about learning the alphabet. Who is the most likely audience?
Young children or beginning readers.
Text: “Maya grabbed her umbrella before leaving because dark clouds covered the sky.” What detail best supports the idea that Maya expected rain?
“Dark clouds covered the sky,” or the fact that she grabbed her umbrella.
The sidewalk was icy, so Marcus walked slowly. What is the cause?
The sidewalk was icy.
A story takes place in a crowded city during a snowstorm. Which plot element tells when and where the story happens?
Setting
A passage explains how hurricanes form over warm ocean water. What is the author's purpose?
To inform or to explain
A notice says, “Parents and guardians, please sign and return the field trip permission form by Friday.” Who is the intended audience?
Parents and guardians.
Text: “Jordan practiced his speech every night. On presentation day, he spoke clearly without looking at his notes.” What evidence shows that Jordan was prepared?
He practiced every night and spoke clearly without looking at his notes.
The power went out during the storm. As a result, the family used flashlights. What is the effect?
The family used flashlights.
Two best friends both want the final spot on the basketball team. What plot element is created by this problem?
Conflict.
A story tells about a girl who accidentally brings her pet lizard to school and causes a funny classroom mix-up. What is the author's purpose?
To entertain
An article explains how to care for a new puppy and includes tips about feeding, exercise, and training. Who is the likely audience?
New or future dog owners.
Text: “The trail was muddy, branches covered the path, and the hikers moved slowly.” What evidence supports the inference that the hike was difficult?
The trail was muddy, branches covered the path, and the hikers moved slowly.
Because Mia studied her vocabulary words each night, she earned a high score on the quiz. Identify both the cause and effect.
Cause: Mia studied each night. Effect: She earned a high quiz score.
A character is described as patient, determined, and willing to keep practicing after making mistakes. How might this characterization affect the plot?
The character is likely to keep trying and take actions that move the plot toward solving the problem.
An article describes the dangers of wasting water and ends by urging families to take shorter showers. What two purposes does the author use?
To inform and persuade
A brochure uses words such as tuition, majors, dormitories, and admissions deadlines. Who is the most likely audience?
Students considering or applying to college, and possibly their families.
A student claims that Lina is generous. The text says Lina shared her lunch with a classmate who forgot theirs and later helped a younger student carry books. Which evidence best supports the claim, and why?
Both actions support the claim because Lina gives her food and time to help others.
A river overflowed after several days of heavy rain. Roads closed, and some families had to leave their homes. Name one cause and two effects.
Cause: Several days of heavy rain caused the river to overflow. Effects: Roads closed and some families had to leave their homes.
A storm destroys the bridge the characters planned to cross. How can this event contribute to the plot?
It creates or increases conflict and forces the characters to make a new plan.
A writer includes facts about plastic pollution, emotional examples of harmed animals, and a call to reduce single-use plastic. How do these details support the author's purpose?
They inform readers about the problem and persuade them to reduce single-use plastic.
A writer changes a science article by replacing technical vocabulary with definitions, diagrams, and everyday examples. What does this suggest about the intended audience?
The audience is likely younger readers or readers who are new to the science topic.
When answering a question about why a character changed her mind, what should a strong response include besides the answer itself?
Relevant text evidence plus an explanation of how the evidence supports the answer.
In a story, a character tells a lie to avoid trouble. The lie causes friends to stop trusting the character, which later forces the character to admit the truth. Explain the chain of cause and effect.
The lie causes a loss of trust; the loss of trust creates a larger problem; that problem leads the character to admit the truth.
A shy student must give a speech in front of the entire school. The auditorium setting increases her nervousness, but she remembers how much she practiced and finishes successfully. Explain how setting, conflict, and characterization work together to develop the plot.
The large auditorium setting increases the pressure, the conflict is her fear of speaking, and her prepared/determined characterization helps her overcome the conflict and complete the speech.