PencilGo

Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 5 · On-level practice · 8 questions · Version PG-197DREM-MSEZ

Free printable
1.City trees shade sidewalks, absorb rainwater, and provide shelter for birds and insects. What is the author's main purpose?
2.Some seeds travel on fur, while others float on wind or water. Each method spreads seeds. 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.Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?
5.A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. 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.Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?
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 15
  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. 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
  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. Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  5. 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
  6. The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  7. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  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.