2 Author's Purpose Assessment

1. A hippopotamus may seem like a gentle giant. But it can run faster than an average person. In some cases, hippos can run up to 30mph. That's faster than Usain Bolt, who was clocked at 27.5mph! Hippos can do this without breaking a sweat since they don't actually sweat. Hippos pant and open their mouths to cool down while they are running or swimming. All in all, hippos may not look it, but they definitely move at high speeds! They truly are impressive.

• A. persuade the reader to study hippos if they want to run like Usain Bolt.
• B. inform the reader about the surprising speed of hippopotamuses.
• C. explain for the reader the process for training to run like Usain Bolt
• D. inform the reader about Usain Bolt.

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2. When you open the 5-piece drum set you received as a birthday gift from your grandparents, you find a booklet that names each piece, tells you how to assemble it, and provides basic instructions on how to correctly play each piece. What was the author's purpose for writing the booklet?

• A. persuade you to buy another drum set
• B. inform you on the history of drum sets
• C. entertain you with a great story about drum sets
• D. explain the process of how to put together your drum set
• E. describe how drumming will make you feel

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3. You want a dog, but your parents are totally against the idea. You decide to impress them by writing a list of twenty reasons why getting a puppy is a good idea for your family. What is your purpose for writing the list?

• A. persuade your parents to let you have a dog
• B. inform your parents on what the best dog is
• C. entertain your parents with a fun story about what you will do for fun with your dog
• D. explain the process of feeding your dog
• E. describe how it feels not to have a dog

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4. You are spending the day at Sequoia National Park with your family. You have never encountered such enormous trees in your entire life! While your family stops for a picnic lunch, you decide to write in your journal. You write about everything you have seen, heard, smelled, and touched in the park so far today. You want to be able to read this journal entry in the future and always remember this amazing place. What is your purpose for writing this journal entry?

• A. persuade your parents to make another vacation to the Sequoia National Park
• B. inform your parents of all the great things in the Sequoia National Park
• C. entertain your parents with a fun story of when you saw a bear in the Sequoia National Park
• D. explain the process for growing a Sequoia back home in your own yard
• E. describe the experience of your visit to the Sequoia National Park

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5. Many argue that voting is a person’s right. Adults should not be the only people who get to vote. Everyone should be allowed to vote. This could help younger people to learn about politics. Voting at younger ages has been found to help people vote all of their lives. Lowering the voting age would mean more people would vote. Therefore, lowering the voting age would be a good thing. After all, today's youth will one day lead this nation What is the most likely reason the author wrote the essay?

• A To provide ideas on lowering the voting age
• B To explain why youth voting is important
• C To tell about when they voted
• D To describe why we need to vote

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6. Gael had been looking forward to going to the amusement park with Rowan all week. He was excited about the rides, the games, and, most of all, the food. As soon as they arrived, Gael headed straight for the funnel cake stand. He ordered one for himself and one for Rowan, then took a seat at a nearby table to wait. It didn't take long before Gael's funnel cake arrived. He dug in with gusto, not caring that he was making a mess. The powdered sugar and the grease from the cake created a delicious but-sticky concoction covering his hands and face. Rowan started laughing as he watched Gael. What is the most likely reason the author wrote this passage?

• A. to explain the steps required to make a funnel cake
• B. to describe the hilarious friendship the two boys had
• C. to describe the messy funny time two friends had eating a funnel cake
• D. to persuade everyone to eat funnel cakes

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7. Asian elephants are very social. In their natural habitats, they form social units. These are led by females. They provide care and guidance for their herd members. These groups form connections with other herds. This can happen even over long distances. They can even recognize elephants from many years before. Elephants can also communicate. They even show behaviors closely related to happiness and sadness. What is the most likely reason the author wrote this passage?

• A To explain why elephants are important
• B To describe how elephants need our help
• C To share information about the connections elephants can make
• D To persuade the reader that elephants are endangered

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8. Thermal energy is the energy within something that is responsible for its temperature. The energy causes the molecules to move around. When two things with different temperatures touch, thermal energy will move from warmer to cooler. It will continue until both are at the same temperature. This can be shown by when an ice cube melts in warm water. What is the most likely reason the author wrote this text? A To show how often this happens B To describe how to change a solid to a liquid C To explain why heat energy is important D To show an example of how thermal energy works

• A. to entertain the reader with a story about how ice melts in a glass
• B. to explain how thermal energy works
• C. to inform about making ice cubes
• D. to inform the reader about Thermal energy in the Artic

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9. Earthquakes are dangerous. They can happen without warning. Their effects can be devastating. Earthquakes can cause damage to buildings. They can also cause landslides, tsunamis, and fires. In addition, earthquakes also cause people to leave their homes. Earthquakes often occur along fault lines. When the plates move, they release energy from seismic waves. These waves cause the ground to shake. Earthquakes can range in size. Earthquakes are a reality of life on earth, and we should take the steps to be prepared for them. What is the mostly likely reason the author writes this text?

• A To explain the steps you need to take to be safe in an earthquake
• B To describe what happens in an earthquake
• C To persuade the reader that we can't stop earthquakes so we should be ready for them
• D To inform the reader about the history of earthquakes

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10. Which of the following most likely describes the author’s purpose for writing this section?

• A. to give information about the instincts of mountain lions
• B. to persuade readers to avoid hiking in areas where they might encounter a mountain lion
• C. to describe the best hiking trails in the area
• D. to explain how to survive an encounter with a mountain lion

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