Author's Purpose
What are the main reasons an author writes a nonfiction text?
Persuade, Inform, Entertain
Which of the following is an example of a cause-and-effect text structure?
A) A recipe listing ingredients and steps
B) A passage explaining how a tornado forms after warm and cool air meet
C) A story about a girl who gets lost in the woods
D) A timeline of events in the Civil War
B) A passage explaining how a tornado forms after warm and cool air meet
Which of the following is written in first-person point of view?
A) The scientist conducted an experiment to test the hypothesis.
B) I couldn’t believe how difficult the hike was, but I kept going.
C) You should always check the weather before going outside.
D) The president signed the bill into law on July 4th.
B) I couldn’t believe how difficult the hike was, but I kept going.
What is the central idea of a nonfiction text?
The main point or message the author wants to communicate
Where did the Thai Cave Rescue take place?
Thailand
If an author writes an article about the importance of recycling and includes facts about how it helps the environment, what is the author’s purpose?
To inform
What is the main purpose of a compare-and-contrast text structure?
A) To tell a story in order
B) To describe a problem and its solution
C) To explain the steps in a process
D) To show similarities and differences between two topics
D) To show similarities and differences between two topics
What pronouns would you most likely find in a passage written in second-person point of view?
A) I, me, my
B) He, she, they
C) You, your
D) We, us, our
C) You, your
Which of the following is the best way to find the central idea of a passage?
A) Read only the last sentence
B) Look at the supporting details and think about what they all have in common
C) Count how many times a word is repeated in the text
D) Focus only on opinions expressed in the passage
B) Look at the supporting details and think about what they all have in common
What caused the soccer team to become trapped in the cave?
The "wet" season; intense rain and monsoons that flooded the cave
Which of the following would most likely be written to persuade the reader?
A) A science textbook explaining photosynthesis
B) A speech urging people to vote for a candidate
C) A short story about a kid who finds a treasure map
D) A biography about a famous athlete
B) A speech urging people to vote for a candidate
Read this paragraph: "Polar bears and grizzly bears have many differences. Polar bears live in the Arctic, while grizzlies live in forests and mountains. Grizzlies eat berries, fish, and small mammals, but polar bears mostly eat seals. However, both are strong predators and excellent swimmers." What text structure is used?
Compare and Contrast
An author writes a biography about Abraham Lincoln. What point of view is most likely used?
Third person; he, she
A passage about honeybees explains how they communicate by dancing, work together to build hives, and collect nectar to make honey. What is the most likely central idea?
A) Bees are fascinating creatures with complex behaviors.
B) Bees are dangerous insects that sting people.
C) Bees only live in hives made by humans.
D) Bees only dance for fun.
A) Bees are fascinating creatures with complex behaviors.
Why was it difficult for rescuers to reach the trapped soccer team?
The boys were deep in the cave and it was filled with water
An author writes a passage about the dangers of too much screen time. It includes statistics, expert opinions, and a call to action for parents to limit screen use. What is the author's purpose, and what clues helped you decide?
To persuade – it gives facts and encourages action – The passage provides statistics, expert opinions, and a call to action, all of which are clues that the author is trying to persuade the reader.
If an author writes about the steps of how a law is passed, which text structure are they using?
Sequence & Order/Chronological
Read the sentence: "The Civil War was one of the most devastating conflicts in American history. It lasted from 1861 to 1865 and resulted in major changes to the country." What point of view is used?
Third person; it
Which of the following is a key detail that would support the central idea that "drinking water is important for your health"?
A) Some people prefer juice over water.
B) Water helps keep your body hydrated and improves digestion.
C) The Earth is made up of about 70% water.
D) Scientists discovered water on Mars.
B) Water helps keep your body hydrated and improves digestion.
What was one major risk divers faced while attempting the rescue?
A) Low visibility and narrow cave tunnels made diving dangerous
B) Sharks and other sea creatures swam in the cave water
C) The cave was extremely hot, making it difficult to breathe
D) The oxygen in the cave was too high, causing dizziness
A) Low visibility and narrow cave tunnels made diving dangerous
Some texts have more than one purpose. If an author writes a book about sharks that includes both facts and personal opinions about why sharks should be protected, what are the two purposes of the book?
To inform and persuade
A passage describes a serious pollution problem in a city and then explains how officials are working to clean the air. What text structure is being used?
Problem and Solution
How is third-person limited different from third-person omniscient in nonfiction?
Third-person limited only reveals one person's thoughts, while third-person omniscient shows multiple perspectives.
Read the paragraph below and answer the question.
"The Amazon Rainforest is home to more species of plants and animals than any other place on Earth. Scientists estimate that there are millions of undiscovered species living in the dense forest. The rainforest also plays a key role in producing oxygen and regulating the planet’s climate."
What is the central idea of this passage?
The Amazon Rainforest is an important and diverse ecosystem.
How did the rescuers finally bring the boys out of the cave safely?
A) The boys swam out on their own after the water level dropped
B) The rescuers used a helicopter to fly them out of the cave
C) The boys were sedated and carefully guided out by expert divers
D) The team dug a new tunnel to create an escape route
C) The boys were sedated and carefully guided out by expert divers