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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 4 · Stretch challenge · 8 questions · Version PG-1I0VVXI-1P1G

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1.A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. What is the author's main purpose?
2.A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?
3.Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. What is the author's main purpose?
4.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?
5.City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. How is this text mainly organized?
6.The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. What is the author's main purpose?
7.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?
8.Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. 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 14
  1. A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. What is the author's main purpose?To distinguish primary and secondary sources
  2. A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  3. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. What is the author's main purpose?To show how Mina evaluated information
  4. 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
  5. City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. How is this text mainly organized?Description
  6. 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
  7. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  8. 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

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.