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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 5 · Building confidence · 8 questions · Version PG-12IUSL5-1BG6

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1.City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. What is the author's main purpose?
2.Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. How is this text mainly organized?
3.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?
4.A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?
5.The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. What is the author's main purpose?
6.Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. 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. How is this text mainly organized?
8.Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. How is this text mainly organized?

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 18
  1. 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
  2. Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. How is this text mainly organized?Problem and solution
  3. 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
  4. A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  5. 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
  6. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  7. 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
  8. 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

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.