Author's Purpose Practice Questions

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Japan has long had a large population for its land area, especially since the Baby Boom following World War II. This is particularly true in Japan’s cities. For example, according to a 2010 census, the metropolitan Tokyo-Yokohama area has an estimated 35 million residents. The population of the entire country is roughly 128 million. Tokyo-Yokohama is considered the most populous urban center in the world. Some Japanese cultural traditions have been attributed to such crowding. For example, the Japanese people use very formal behaviors like bowing, and use very formal language during social interactions. One theory is that this formality, at least in part, is a means of creating psychological distance and space between individuals, as sufficient physical space is lacking. The expression “too close for comfort” may aptly describe the situation in Japan’s most crowded cities, and this physical proximity is offset by reducing social closeness.

In this passage, the author’s main purpose is to:

• give a complete summary of the demographic features of Japan.

• describe a hypothesis of social behavior based on demographics.

• explain why the population of Japan has increased since the war.

• give a very detailed description of acceptable Japanese manners.

• argue that Japan has the highest population density in the world.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Popularly called the Black Death, the bubonic plague was a scourge that ravaged China, the Middle East, and Europe during the Middle Ages. This pandemic killed so many people that it reduced the population of the world by an estimated 100 million. It reached its peak in Europe in the middle of the 14th century, and it took that continent’s population about 150 years to recover. An ironic fact about the bubonic plague which not everybody knows is that due to ignorance, human beings exacerbated this disease greatly through their own actions. The microorganism responsible for the plague was carried by rat fleas, and was spread by rats living on merchant ships traveling among the continents for trade. During the Middle Ages, illiteracy and ignorance, and hence superstition, were prevalent. People believed cats were associated with the devil and witches, and they exterminated cats en masse. Cats are natural predators of rats. By killing so many cats, people unwittingly allowed rats to proliferate, and with them their fleas carrying the plague.

What is the main purpose of this passage?

• To compare sanitation practices in the Middle Ages and today

• To explain why the world’s population is smaller than before

• To illuminate a human action that made an illness even worse

• To give a historical explanation of why cats are so unpopular now

• To argue that cats were responsible for the spread of a plague

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Hydrangeas are bushes with large, globe-shaped clusters of beautiful blooms. They add an air of stateliness and elegance to any lawn or yard. Their name is based on the Greek roots “hydra,” meaning water, and “angeion,” meaning vessel. The name makes sense, because hydrangeas love water and require a lot of it to survive and thrive. One of the most interesting things about hydrangeas is the fact that their flowers change color according to the availability of aluminum in the soil where they are planted. Where the soil has a lower, or acidic, pH, its higher acid content dissolves aluminum compounds into forms hydrangeas can absorb, turning their flowers blue. In alkaline soil with a higher pH, there is not enough acid to dissolve the existing aluminum, which remains bound in insoluble compounds. When aluminum is not absorbed, hydrangea flowers are pink. Where the soil’s pH is borderline or mixed, hydrangea flowers can be purple, lavender, violet, or even partly blue and partly pink.

The main purpose of this passage is to:

• explain why hydrangeas are the best, most beautiful flowering bushes to plant.

• identify different types of soil as better or worse for growing hydrangea plants.

• define the terms acid pH and alkaline pH, and tell how they generally affect plants.

• identify an interesting fact about hydrangeas and explain the process that causes it.

• warn home gardeners that their hydrangeas will die if they don’t water them enough.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Sixteen-year-old girlfriends went to the Seaside Restaurant for the free appetizers and because Bobby, the cute boy in class, lived nearby. Ten years later, the 26-year-old friends chose the Seaside for its cheap beer, lack of a cover charge, good band, and cute guys. Ten years later, the 36-year-olds reunited for dinner at the Seaside Restaurant because of its great Cosmopolitans, proximity to the gym, and, as long as they didn’t go too early, scarcity of whining children. Ten years later, the 46-year-old friends went to the Seaside for its large martinis and waiters with tight pants. At 56, they chose the Seaside for its reasonable prices, nice wine list, cholesterol-lowering fish dishes, and windows that opened (in case of hot flashes). At 66, they chose the Seaside for its Early Bird Special and bright lighting. At 76, they found the Seaside was wheelchair accessible and the food wasn’t too spicy. At 86, they decided to meet at the Seaside because they had never eaten there before.

What is the main purpose of this passage?

• It describes many different advantages of the Seaside Restaurant.

• It recounts the history of a friendship among a group of women over time.

• It shows how tastes change with time and why people must go to different places.

• It recounts the adventures of a group of friends attending various eateries.

• It humorously identifies interests that change with age and provides a punch line.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Creativity has always been more difficult to define, and therefore to assess, than intelligence. Because creativity can be expressed in so many different forms — as many, probably, as there are individuals — it has not been as amenable to the design of standardized tests for evaluating its presence as intelligence has. Comparatively few tests of creative ability exist.

Like intelligence, creativity incorporates various aspects. In addition to including original ideas and novel ways of viewing and using existing knowledge, creativity has been defined as including divergent thinking. Divergent thinking is the ability to generate many different possible solutions for the same problem. Its opposite is convergent thinking, which brings together facts, knowledge, and logic to solve problems. Convergence moves inward, while divergence moves outward.

Two informal but informative tests of divergent thinking that psychologists often use are Paper Clip Uses and Brick Uses. Test takers are simply asked to write down as many different uses for a paper clip or a brick as they can within a specified time limit. Uses within the same hierarchy (such as using a brick for building a house, building a bridge, building a tower, etc.) are not counted as different. A projectile and a paperweight would be examples of two distinctly different brick uses. Novelty can accompany increasing divergence. One student who completed the test, for instance, suggested “snowshoes for mice” as a use for a paper clip.

What is the main purpose of this passage?

• To define divergence as an aspect of creativity and describe related tests

• To argue that creativity cannot be tested because of its infinite variety

• To make an appeal for the need to develop new creativity assessments

• To compare and contrast standardized tests for intelligence and creativity

• To list as many different uses for bricks and paper clips as possible

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Use the following passage to answer the question.

A rabbi was delivering his sermon at Sabbath service. His subject matter included references to the Book of Exodus, particularly the section about Moses bringing the Ten Commandments down from Mount Sinai to his people. When the rabbi mentioned Moses and Mount Sinai, an old man in the congregation wailed loudly, “OY VEY!” This gave the rabbi pause for a moment; then, he shrugged and continued with his sermon. Every time he spoke about Moses coming down Mount Sinai, though, the same thing happened. The elderly congregant shouted “OY VEY!” or “OY GEVALT!” every time the rabbi said the names Moses and Mount Sinai, as if on cue. Finally, rather distracted but even more perplexed, the rabbi stopped his sermon and asked gently, “Excuse me, Sir, but why do you yell every time I speak of Moses and Mount Sinai?” The old fellow replied, “If only he’d turned left instead of right at the bottom, we’d have all the oil, and they’d have all the sand!”

What is the main purpose of this passage?

• To tell a story revealing the Biblical origins of animosity in the Middle East

• To tell a joke based on the geography and geology of the Middle East

• To describe an incident during which a public speaker managed a heckler

• To illustrate through an anecdote how disruptive it is to yell in a temple

• To criticize the actions of Moses in the Old Testament’s Book of Exodus

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Adopting a cat is a fine thing to do, because many wonderful homeless cats benefit, and because people benefit from their companionship, unconditional love, beauty, and entertainment value. However, if you have never cared for a cat before, there are some things to consider. If you are away at work all day, you should look for two kittens or cats that get along well and will keep each other company. A pet should be compatible with you in personality and temperament. Do you want a “couch potato” lap cat or an energetic, playful pet? Kittens are a lot of fun, but their high energy levels and changing nutritional needs mean they require more attention, and kitten immunizations can be expensive. Adult cats are a better choice if you want a calmer, more relaxed pet that has already learned the basics of self-care and socialization. You must be prepared for the serious commitment of time, attention, and money that goes along with caring for a pet as a family member for 10 to 20 years.

What is the author’s primary purpose?

• To compare and contrast the behaviors of different cats

• To argue in favor of adopting adult cats instead of kittens

• To give the reader advice to consider about adopting cats

• To argue in favor of adopting kittens instead of adult cats

• To persuade more people that they should adopt pet cats

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.6

Use the following passage to answer the question.

It snowed for hours that night, big, fat, fluffy flakes swirling down from a sky white with snow clouds, even in the dark. Deep in winter, the neighborhood was already coated in several inches from previous snowfalls. But that night, the fresh snow piled up to great new heights. Once it finally stopped sometime after midnight, we bundled up in warm coats, hats, gloves, and boots with good traction, and went out walking in the freshly fallen snow. There was a preternatural hush around us; the thick blanket of snow muffled all sounds. There was also a lack of neighborhood activity at this hour, and it was eerily silent. When we talked and laughed, our voices first rang out sharply in the stillness, and then dropped off abruptly, swallowed up in the snow blanket as it absorbed everything. Even the sky seemed lower, and our world smaller, softer, brighter, and warmer within the thick surrounding insulation of snow.

What is the author’s main purpose?

• To present an objective discussion of some aspects of snow

• To narrate a story that teaches a lesson or affords insight

• To make a logical argument in favor of walking in the snow

• To create a description of a scene by using sensory details

• To demonstrate what the causes and effects of snow are

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

Use the following passage to answer the question.

First, collect your Neti pot, salt, measuring spoon(s), and warm water. Usually, tap water works fine. Experiment to find the water temperature that is most comfortable for you. Some individuals experience some discomfort if the water is too hot or too cold. You will quickly determine your preference after a few sessions. Add a half of a teaspoon of ordinary table salt to your Neti pot. If you use sea salt, which is stronger, try starting with a quarter of a teaspoon. Sensitive people may experience discomfort from using too much or too little salt. The right proportion of salt in the saline solution will be closest to your body chemistry, and will feel best. Make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Tilt your head to one side over the sink, insert the pot’s spout into one nostril, and let half the solution flow out of the other nostril. Then, switch nostrils and repeat the process with the other half of the solution. Avoid letting the water flow too fast; this can result in “nose rain” afterward.

What is the type and main purpose of this passage?

• It is descriptive, making an experience accessible through sensory images.

• It is narrative, relating a story from which the reader can gain some insight.

• It is persuasive, giving reasons and supporting evidence for a position.

• It is analytical, breaking down parts and showing how and why they work.

• It is expository, giving chronological instructions for following a procedure.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.8.5

Use the following passage to answer the question.

Martha and Mary were identical twin sisters in our high school class. They didn’t dress identically, but they did share and exchange clothes, so it could be difficult to tell them apart without observing their behavior or conversing with them. As identical as they looked, they had quite different personalities. While both were soft-spoken, Martha would sometimes volunteer information or an experience relevant to the subject in class, while Mary never did. Martha was more social and outgoing. She both enjoyed and was serious about acting, and appeared in several school plays. Mary was more retiring, preferring reading, knitting, and listening to music. While they were very pretty, the twins did not date, but for different reasons. Martha had such high standards that no boy in high school was acceptable, and she preferred to wait for the greater variety of choices she would find in college. Mary, on the other hand, was too shy to talk to boys much in high school. College life helped her gain social confidence.

What is the primary purpose of this passage?

• To compare and contrast the personalities of twin sisters

• To chronicle the developmental growth of identical twins

• To describe vividly so readers feel they know both sisters

• To support the argument that nature outweighs nurture

• To persuade readers that environment trumps heredity

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3