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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 3 · Stretch challenge · 8 questions · Version PG-1X0T9XG-16IP

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1.A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. What is the author's main purpose?
2.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?
3.Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. What is the author's main purpose?
4.Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. How is this text mainly organized?
5.A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. What is the author's main purpose?
6.A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. How is this text mainly organized?
7.Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?
8.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. What is the author's main purpose?

Answers and teaching notes

Use the answers to check the work after the learner finishes. For writing prompts, the guide describes what a strong response should include.

Show answers for version 17
  1. A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. What is the author's main purpose?To explain why people use budgets
  2. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  3. Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. What is the author's main purpose?To show how testing improves a design
  4. Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast
  5. A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. What is the author's main purpose?To explain how a lever works
  6. A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  7. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  8. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. What is the author's main purpose?To explain how ocean temperature affects storms

Worked example

Use the author's choices and relationships between ideas to identify purpose and organization.

Common mistake

Choosing a structure from one transition word alone.

Helpful hint

Summarize how ideas relate across the whole passage.