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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 4 · On-level practice · 8 questions · Version PG-1RMFLDC-1WUV

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1.The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. What is the author's main purpose?
2.A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. How is this text mainly organized?
3.A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. What is the author's main purpose?
4.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. 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.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.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?
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 3
  1. 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
  2. A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast
  3. 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
  4. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  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. 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. 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
  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.