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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 4 · Building confidence · 8 questions · Version PG-1VKP8HV-1RPJ

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1.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?
2.The class tested paper towels using equal water, measured each result, and recorded the data. How is this text mainly organized?
3.Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. What is the author's main purpose?
4.Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?
5.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. What is the author's main purpose?
6.Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. How is this text mainly organized?
7.City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. What is the author's main purpose?
8.The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. 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 20
  1. 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
  2. The class tested paper towels using equal water, measured each result, and recorded the data. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  3. Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. What is the author's main purpose?To explain the difference between weather and climate
  4. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  5. 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
  6. Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast
  7. City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. What is the author's main purpose?To explain benefits of city trees
  8. The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. What is the author's main purpose?To describe how the council made a decision

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.