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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 5 · Building confidence · 8 questions · Version PG-19JTVKZ-1BG6

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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.Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?
3.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. 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.Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. What is the author's main purpose?
6.The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. 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.Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. 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 9
  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. Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  3. 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
  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. Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. What is the author's main purpose?To compare methods of seed dispersal
  6. The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  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. Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. How is this text mainly organized?Problem and solution

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.