Author's Purpose
A TikTok influencer posts: "Just got the new iPhone 15! You NEED this phone!"
What is the influencer trying to do?
Get you to buy the phone / Persuade you
Read: "After graduation, Keisha moved to New York to start college."
Where did Keisha move?
New York
Which sentence is CORRECT?
A) "She don't like math class."
B) "She doesn't like math class."
B) "She doesn't like math class."
Read: "After a long day at school and work, Devon was exhausted."
What does EXHAUSTED mean?
Really tired / Worn out / No energy left
"First, fill out your college application. Next, write your essay. Then, submit everything by the deadline."
What kind of text is this?
A) A story, B) Steps to follow / Instructions, or C) An argument
B) Steps to follow / Instructions
A YouTube video tells the story of a teenager who worked hard, got rejected by colleges, but then got accepted to his dream school.
What is the author's purpose?
A) To entertain you with a story, B) To teach you how to apply to college, or C) To sell college prep courses
To entertain you with a story
Read: "It was the first day of senior year. Marcus felt nervous because he didn't know many people in his new school."
Why was Marcus nervous?
He didn't know many people
Which sentence is CORRECT?
A) "Me and my friends went to the mall."
B) "My friends and I went to the mall."
B) "My friends and I went to the mall."
Read: "The test was ambiguous. Some students didn't know what the question was asking."
What does AMBIGUOUS mean?
Unclear / Confusing
Read: "Some students prefer online school because it's flexible. Other students prefer in-person school because they like face-to-face interaction."
What is this comparing?
Online school vs. in-person school
A website explains: "How to build your first gaming PC - Step 1: Choose your parts. Step 2: Install the motherboard..."
What is the author's purpose?
To explain
Read: "The job interview went terrible. The interviewer seemed bored, and I messed up my answers. I didn't get the job."
How did the person feel after the interview?
Disappointed / Sad
What is WRONG with this sentence?
"The group of students was excited about the field trip. They was ready to leave."
A) Wrong verb in second sentence, B) Wrong punctuation, or C) Spelling error
A) Wrong verb (should be "were" not "was")
Read: "The coach was furious after the team lost the championship game. He yelled at everyone."
What does FURIOUS mean?
Very angry / Extremely mad / Rage
"Many teens struggle with stress because of school, work, and social pressure. As a result, they get less sleep and their grades drop."
What happened BECAUSE of stress?
They get less sleep and their grades drop
A news article states: "Teens are spending too much time on their phones. Studies show it's hurting their mental health. We need better phone habits NOW."
What is the author doing?
Persuading you that phone use is bad
Read: "After working at the same job for two years, Jasmine asked for a raise. Her boss said no. The next week, she started looking for a new job."
Why did Jasmine start looking for a new job?
Her boss wouldn't give her a raise
Fix this sentence:
"I could of gone to the party, but I had to work."
I could have gone to the party, but I had to work." (Change "of" to "have")
Read: "After getting rejected from her top college choice, Maya felt devastated. She cried for hours."
What does DEVASTATED mean?
Extremely sad / Heartbroken
Read: "Problem: High school students are getting burned out. Solutions: Schools could offer mental health resources, reduce homework, and create stress-relief programs."
What is the author showing?
A) A problem and multiple solutions, B) A story about a student, or C) Instructions
A) A problem and multiple solutions
Question: Read this text:
"Gen Z is the most entrepreneurial generation. They start businesses, create content, and build empires from their bedrooms. Unlike older generations, Gen Z doesn't wait for permission. They make their own opportunities."
What is the author's PRIMARY purpose?
A) To inform you about Gen Z statistics, B) To persuade you that Gen Z is superior, C) To entertain you with success stories, or D) To explain how to start a business
B) To persuade you that Gen Z is superior
Question: Read this passage:
"Devon spent all summer training for the soccer tryouts. He woke up early, ran drills, and worked with a coach three times a week. When tryout day came, he played his best. The coach cut him anyway. Devon felt angry and embarrassed. He considered quitting soccer forever. But after a week, he realized something: the coach's loss, not his. He decided to join a different team that actually wanted him."
What is the MAIN LESSON of this story?
A) Hard work doesn't matter, B) You should give up if you fail once, C) Rejection doesn't define you / Find people who value you, or D) Soccer is too competitive
C) Rejection doesn't define you / Find people who value you
Which sentence has the CORRECT punctuation and grammar?
A) "After studying for three hours, I was tired, hungry, and I needed a break.", B) "After studying for three hours I was tired, hungry, and needing a break.", C) "After studying for three hours, I was tired, hungry, and needing a break.", D) "After studying for three hours, I was tired, hungry, and needed a break."
D) "After studying for three hours, I was tired, hungry, and needed a break."
Question: Read this passage:
"The CEO's decision to eliminate the entire marketing department was met with ambivalence by the company. Some employees thought it would save money and improve efficiency. Others feared layoffs and instability. The board remained indifferent, showing no concern for either side."
Based on context, which word BEST describes how the company felt?
A) Furious, B) Unified, C) Uncertain / Mixed feelings, or D) Devastated
C) Uncertain / Mixed feelings
Read this passage:
"The traditional college path—four years of university, massive student debt, and uncertain job prospects—is becoming less appealing to Gen Z. Instead, many teens are choosing trade schools, apprenticeships, and online certifications. Why? These alternatives offer faster training, lower costs, and immediate job opportunities. Meanwhile, the cost of college tuition has tripled in the last 20 years, making degrees less valuable. As a result, the job market is shifting toward skills-based hiring instead of degree requirements."
What text structures are being used in this passage?
A) Only chronological order, B) Compare/contrast AND cause/effect, C) Problem/solution only, or D) Sequence only
B) Compare/contrast AND cause/effect