STAAR Practice Authors Purpose

Slouched at a corner table in a forgotten diner in a quiet part of town, Fred Li looks as if he just rolled out of bed. Li, who is known as the "difficult one" in the boy band Momentum, is wearing a pair of heavily ripped jeans and a white T-shirt. His black leather jacket looks as if it might have been run over by a bulldozer. A faded straw fedora is pulled low over his forehead, casting a shadow across brown eyes fringed with ridiculously thick eyelashes.

Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?

• to describe Fred Li's experience

• to inform readers about the boy band Momentum

• to convince readers that Fred Li is an important musician

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Slouched at a corner table in a forgotten diner in a quiet part of town, Fred Li looks as if he just rolled out of bed. Li, who is known as the "difficult one" in the boy band Momentum, is wearing a pair of heavily ripped jeans and a white T-shirt. His black leather jacket looks as if it might have been run over by a bulldozer. A faded straw fedora is pulled low over his forehead, casting a shadow across brown eyes fringed with ridiculously thick eyelashes.

Which best shows that the author's purpose is to describe Fred Li's appearance?

• The author informs readers that Fred Li is the "difficult one" in the band.

• The author notes that the interview took place in a forgotten diner in a quiet part of town

• The author provides specific details like slouched at a corner table and heavily ripped jeans.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

We are excited to tell all students about this year's fundraiser. Instead of asking you to sell magazines or candy, we are holding an online Read-a-Thon!

We can't do this without you. To meet our fundraising goal of five thousand dollars, we need all students to register online and create an account. Next, invite sponsors via email or social media. Sponsors can pledge a dollar amount for every hour that you read, or they can pledge a fixed amount. Improve your reading ability and support your school at the same time. Get started today!

Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?

• to inform students about why the fundraiser is necessary

• to teach students how to create an online account

• to encourage students to take part in the fundraiser

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

We are excited to tell all students about this year's fundraiser. Instead of asking you to sell magazines or candy, we are holding an online Read-a-Thon!

We can't do this without you. To meet our fundraising goal of five thousand dollars, we need all students to register online and create an account. Next, invite sponsors via email or social media. Sponsors can pledge a dollar amount for every hour that you read, or they can pledge a fixed amount. Improve your reading ability and support your school at the same time. Get started today!

Which best shows that the author's purpose is to encourage students to take part in the fundraiser?

• the author names a specific figure as a fundraising goal (five thousand dollars)

• The author contrasts the Read-a-Thon with previous fundraisers.

• The author tells readers that we can't do this without you and asks them to get started today.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Place four eggs in a large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover the eggs by one inch. Slowly bring the water to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the pan from the burner. Cover it and let the eggs sit for about ten minutes. Then drain the water from the pan. You will notice, though, that a hot hard-boiled egg is not easy to peel. To cool the eggs, rinse them with cold water. Then, when you're ready to peel an egg, gently tap it on the counter until the shell cracks.

Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?

• to teach readers how to make hard-boiled eggs

• to inform readers about the benefits of eating eggs

• to convince readers that making hard-boiled eggs is easy

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

Place four eggs in a large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover the eggs by one inch. Slowly bring the water to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the pan from the burner. Cover it and let the eggs sit for about ten minutes. Then drain the water from the pan. You will notice, though, that a hot hard-boiled egg is not easy to peel. To cool the eggs, rinse them with cold water. Then, when you're ready to peel an egg, gently tap it on the counter until the shell cracks.

Which best shows that the author's purpose is to teach readers how to make hard-boiled eggs?

• The author outlines a specific process for readers to follow.

• The author uses precise language, such as slowly and gently

• The author acknowledges that hot hard-boiled eggs are not always easy to peel.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Call of the Wild has been arranging five-star luxury safaris in Tanzania for more than twenty years. We customize every tour to the particular needs and desires of our clients. Do you want to see the majestic wildlife in Serengeti National Park? Climb Kilimanjaro? Visit Ngorongoro Crater? Do all three? We have the safari package for you—at a price that fits your budget. Tame your thirst for adventure with Call of the Wild. Our office has a dedicated staff ready to take your call. Book your luxury safari today!

Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?

• to describe the experience of an African safari

• to inform readers about the history of Tanzania

• to persuade readers to use Call of the Wild's services

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Call of the Wild has been arranging five-star luxury safaris in Tanzania for more than twenty years. We customize every tour to the particular needs and desires of our clients. Do you want to see the majestic wildlife in Serengeti National Park? Climb Kilimanjaro? Visit Ngorongoro Crater? Do all three? We have the safari package for you—at a price that fits your budget. Tame your thirst for adventure with Call of the Wild. Our office has a dedicated staff ready to take your call. Book your luxury safari today!

Which best shows that the author's purpose is to persuade readers to use Call of the Wild's services?

• The author explains the process followed to customize each tour to the client's needs.

• The author urges the readers to book your luxury safari today.

• The author discusses the history of the business (more than twenty years).

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

I become aware for the first time today of the immense silence in which I am lost. Not a silence so much as a stillness—for there are a few sounds: the creak of some bird in a juniper tree, an eddy of wind which passes and fades like a sigh, the ticking of the watch on my wrist—slight noises which . . . exaggerate my sense of the surrounding, overwhelming peace. . . . If I look at the small device strapped to my wrist the numbers, even the sweeping second hand, seem meaningless, almost ridiculous. No travelers, no campers, no wanderers have come to this part of the desert today and for a few moments I feel and realize that I am very much alone.

From Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire. Copyright 1968 by Edward Abbey

Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?

• to describe how it feels to be in a desert wilderness

• to inform readers about desert plants and animals

• to convince readers that the desert is a beautiful place

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

I become aware for the first time today of the immense silence in which I am lost. Not a silence so much as a stillness—for there are a few sounds: the creak of some bird in a juniper tree, an eddy of wind which passes and fades like a sigh, the ticking of the watch on my wrist—slight noises which . . . exaggerate my sense of the surrounding, overwhelming peace. . . . If I look at the small device strapped to my wrist the numbers, even the sweeping second hand, seem meaningless, almost ridiculous. No travelers, no campers, no wanderers have come to this part of the desert today and for a few moments I feel and realize that I am very much alone.

From Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire. Copyright 1968 by Edward Abbey

Which best shows that the author's purpose is to describe how it feels to be in a desert wilderness?

• The author uses formal language, such as small device.

• The author discusses why silence is not the correct term to use.

• The author includes sensory details like the creak of some bird to help the reader imagine the scene.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6