Free Printable Author's Purpose.

1.

An author's purpose is...

a)

the reason an author writes

b)

the reason an author teaches

c)

author's sense of humor

d)

author's way of life.

2.

All of the following are reason why authors write except?

a)

Entertain

b)

Illustrate

c)

Inform

d)

Persuade

3.

Dear Edith,
Pets should be allowed in restaurants. I brought my dog to dinner, and the waiter threw us out. He said that dogs were dirty, but my dog is cleaner than many people. I know! It's not fair - it's a ridiculous rule, and it should be changed.

a)

to persuade

b)

to inform

c)

to entertain

4.

Once upon a time, there was a sad dragon. People were afraid of him because he breathed fire. So, one day, he bought a bid bag of marshmallows, got some sticks, and put up a sign: "Free Marshmallow Roast." No one was afraid if him anymore.

a)

to persuade

b)

to inform

c)

to entertain

5.

Welcome to National Park
Watch for signs along the trail. They will tell you about the trees, plants, and animals that live here. The trail is six miles long and takes the average person two hours to hike. There are two rest stops along the way.

a)

to persuade

b)

to inform

c)

to entertain

6.

In a non-fiction book, the author's purpose is to:

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

7.

Advertisements are created to:

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

8.

The author wants to amuse you or for you to enjoy the writing.

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

9.

Do you want to be an artist? Just enroll in "The Awesome Artists" program. Don't let this opportunity or your talent slip away. We guarantee you will be painting like the masters in two weeks for a low cost of $59.95.
What is the author's purpose?

a)

to entertain you with a story about artists

b)

to teach you how all artists become famous

c)

to persuade you to attend an art program

d)

to explain how to paint a sunset

10.

Ted was anxious to try out for the basketball team. He had practiced and knew he was ready. Tryouts made him a little nervous, but when he found out he made the team he knew that all the work had paid off.
What is the author's purpose?

a)

to entertain you witha story about a boy who worked hard

b)

to teach how to play basketball

c)

to persuade you to try out for the basketball team

d)

to explain the rules of basketball

11.

In a recent survey of parents of children in grades 1-8, more than half of the parents agreed that students are overburdened with homework. These parents favored mandating less homework in local schools.

a)

persuade

b)

describe

c)

explain

d)

inform

12.

My Dog Miles One day, my dog, Miles, decided he had enough of living with our cat, Theo. He packed his doggie biscuits, his favorite toys, and hit the road. Life on the road was not as easy as he had expected. No one fed him, and many people ignored him completely. He was not used to this kind of treatment. After a few hours of hunger and loneliness, Miles decided to come back home. As soon as he walked in the door, we all pounced on him, giving him hugs and his favorite foods. Miles smiled and howled, “There really is no place like home.”
What is the author’s purpose?

a)

entertain

b)

persuasive

c)

inform

13.

For the three days in April, people from around the world come to villages in China to celebrate the New Year at the Water Splashing Festival. Women wear yellow and pink

dresses and participate in traditional dancing. Children carve water toys out of bamboo and play with hoses in the streets. Other people race dragon boats across the river and float

paper boats throughout the village. The festival is a tradition of the Dai community, who live in Southern China.

What's the Author’s Purpose?

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

14.

When referring to author's purpose "PIE" stands for:

a)

Perform, Inform, Explain

b)

Perfect, Include, Entertain

c)

Persuade, Inform, Entertain

d)

Persuade, Include, Explain

15.

When an author writes to persuade , it means the author is:

a)

trying to give you information to teach you the facts.

b)

trying to make you enjoy the story be keeping the reader's attention.

c)

trying to get you to do or try something.

d)

trying to see if you are paying attention.

16.

When an author's purpose is to inform, it means the author is

a)

trying to make you enjoy the story by keeping the reader's attention.

b)

trying to give you information and teach you facts.

c)

trying to get you to do or try something.

d)

trying to see if you are paying attention.

17.

When the author's purpose is to entertain, the author is:

a)

trying to make you enjoy the story by keeping the reader's attention.

b)

trying to get you to do or try something.

c)

trying to give you information and teach you facts.

d)

trying to see if you are paying attention.

18.

The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to loose pounds and inches from your body in one month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video to show you the proper way to exercise. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today.

a)

to Inform

b)

to Entertain

c)

to Persuade

19.

There are several ways to determine if a snake is poisonous or not. First, poisonous snakes usually have triangular shaped heads while nonpoisonous snakes have rounded heads. Second, poisonous snakes have pupils that look like slits. Nonpoisonous snakes have pupils that are rounder. Finally, the snouts of poisonous snakes are sometimes upturned, while nonpoisonous snakes have rounded snouts.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

Where snakes live

b)

How to tell if a snake is poisonous or not

c)

How poisonous snakes smell

20.

Elephants use their trunks for many things. Elephants use their trunks to smell. In fact, elephants can smell better than bloodhounds. Baby elephants sometimes suck their trunks to soothe themselves the way human babies suck their thumbs. Elephants do not drink with their trunks. They use their trunks to suck up water and then pour it in their mouths. Elephants also greet each other with their trunks the way humans do by shaking hands.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

How much water elephants drink

b)

Where elephants live

c)

How elephant use their trunks

21.

Can you imagine not having a television? Before the 1920’s there were no televisions. The first television set was invented by a 21 year old man named Philo Farnsworth. Farnsworth demonstrated the first moving picture in San Francisco in 1927. Even though it was only a simple, straight line, this was the beginning of electronic television as we know it.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

The invention of television

b)

Hobbies before 1920

c)

Who lives in San Francisco

22.

George Washington is known as the “Father of Our Country” because of his strong leadership. He was the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. After winning the Revolutionary War, George Washington headed the group of men who wrote the Constitution of the United States of America. Later, the colonists elected George Washington as the first president of the United States of America.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

How George Washington led our country

b)

Why the Revolutionary War began

c)

Who wrote the U.S. Constitution

23.

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was once brown instead of green? The Statue of Liberty is made of copper, a shiny brown metal. Over time, the Statue of Liberty changed to a pale green color because of a chemical reaction called oxidation. As the statue was exposed to air and water, oxidation occurred. The statue became covered in a thin, green layer. This green layer actually protects the statue from further damage by weather.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

Where the Statue of Liberty is located

b)

How oxidation occurs

c)

How the Statue of Liberty changed color

24.

There are several ways to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Crocodiles are bigger than alligators and have pointed snouts. Alligators have wide snouts. Wild crocodiles are found all over the world, but wild alligators are only found in the United States and China. Another way to tell the difference is to look at their mouths. When a crocodile’s mouth is closed, the fourth tooth sticks out of its mouth.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

Where crocodiles live

b)

Differences in crocodiles and alligators

c)

Dangers of crocodiles and alligators

25.

Animals and plants living in deserts have adaptations which enable them to survive there. Desert plants have little or no leaves where moisture can escape. They also have deep roots to soak up water underground. Many desert animals are nocturnal. They burrow in the soil or sand during the hottest part of the day and are active at night when it is cooler. Desert animals also survive by getting the water they need from desert plants.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

How much it rains in the desert

b)

Types of animals living in deserts

c)

How animals and plants survive in deserts

26.

Sending mail on the Pony Express was once the fastest way to keep in contact with someone living across the country. The Pony Express was a mail delivery service from Missouri to California in 1860. Men riding horses and carrying saddlebags of mail, newspapers, and packages traveled the 1,900 mile route in about ten days. Once telegraph service was invented, the Pony Express was no longer needed.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

What the Pony Express was

b)

How much the Pony Express deliveries cost

c)

How many horses were on the Pony Express

27.

Hand sanitizers can be a good substitute for washing your hands when soap and water are not available. To kill germs, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Pour about a dime-sized drop of hand sanitizer on your hands. Then, rub your hands together for 3o seconds to help the hand sanitizer begin its work.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

How to use hand sanitizer

b)

How germs are spread in hospitals

c)

Where to buy hand sanitizers

28.

Do you ever wonder what makes gum so chewy? Gum has been around for about 3,000 years. Until the 1940’s, gum was made out of chicle, a type of tree sap. Flavorings were added during the 1860’s to make gum taste better. Now, gum makers use a soft, chewy, and edible type of rubber-like substance to make gum.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

The different flavors of gum

b)

Types of tree sap

c)

What gum is made of

29.

Sharks can lose up to 30,000 teeth in their lifetime. Sharks have teeth arranged in rows inside their mouths. These teeth do not have roots like human teeth do, so they fall out easily. When a shark takes a powerful bite into its food, several teeth are lost. When these teeth are lost, new ones push forward from the back rows to replace them. Luckily, sharks continually grow new teeth to replace the thousands they lose.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

What shark teeth look like

b)

Sharks lose many teeth over their lifetime.

c)

Sharks are carnivorous predators.

30.

In 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first people to successfully fly an airplane. As children, the brothers enjoyed building and tinkering with things. Later, they owned printing and bicycle making businesses. The skills and money made from these businesses helped them create several aircrafts during the 1890’s. Finally, in 1903, the Wright brothers successfully flew the first controlled airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a)

The Wright brothers were the first to fly.

b)

What the weather is like at Kitty Hawk, NC

c)

What the first airplane looked like

31.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil. It will be the 20th year of the World Cup. Brazil was chosen in October of 2007 to host the 2014 competition. Earlier in the year, South America had been chosen as the continent for the contest. Brazil was the only country to put in a bid. This is the second time Brazil will host the World Cup. The country hosted it in 1950. It is the first World Cup to be held in South America since 1978, when Argentina hosted. No other South American country has hosted the World Cup more than once.

The summary of this passage is:

a)

The 20th World Cup will take place in 2014. In 2007, it was decided that the competition would be held in South America. It is the first World Cup in South America since 1978.

b)

In October 2007, Brazil was chosen to host the 20th World Cup. Brazil has already hosted the World Cup before. 1978 was the last time a South American country hosted the World Cup.

c)

The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil. It is the second time Brazil has been chosen to host the World Cup. Brazil is the only South American country to host the World Cup twice.

d)

Early in 2007, South America was chosen as the continent for the 20th World Cup. Brazil was the only country that put in a bid. Brazil hosted the World Cup before in 1950.

32.

Rosa Parks has been called the "mother of the civil rights movement." She is one of the most important people of the 20th century. In December of 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. The bus driver had her arrested. She was sent to court. She was found guilty of breaking the law.

Her act sparked a boycott of the bus system by blacks. Blacks refused to use the buses for more than a year. The boycott introduced the country to a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. People all over the country came to know King. Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court made segregation on city buses against the law.

Over the next forty years, Rosa Parks helped make Americans aware of the history of the civil rights struggle. She earned many honors, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. She is an example of courage and strength. She inspires all Americans to live free.

The summary of this passage is:

a)

Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Then, the buses were boycotted, and Martin Luther King, Jr., became very well known. He had a prize named after him.

b)

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus. The bus driver had her arrested, and then she was found guilty of breaking the law. She was important to American history.

c)

Rosa Parks boycotted the bus system. This boycott brought Martin Luther King, Jr., to the front of the civil rights movement. People all over the country got to know Martin Luther King, Jr.

d)

Rosa Parks was an important person of the 20th century. She refused to give up her seat on a bus, which led to a boycott of the bus system. She earned many honors for her work in the civil rights movement.

33.

Which line contains an idea that would be most important to include in a summary of this passage?

Rosa Parks has been called the "mother of the civil rights movement." She is one of the most important people of the 20th century. In December of 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger. The bus driver had her arrested. She was sent to court. She was found guilty of breaking the law.

Her act sparked a boycott of the bus system by blacks. Blacks refused to use the buses for more than a year. The boycott introduced the country to a man named Martin Luther King, Jr. People all over the country came to know King. Soon, the U.S. Supreme Court made segregation on city buses against the law.

Over the next forty years, Rosa Parks helped make Americans aware of the history of the civil rights struggle. She earned many honors, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. She is an example of courage and strength. She inspires all Americans to live free.

a)

Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white passenger.

b)

The boycott introduced the country to a man named Martin Luther King, Jr.

c)

Rosa Parks was sent to court. She was found guilty of breaking the law.

d)

Rosa Parks is an example of courage and strength. She inspires all Americans to live free.

34.

April's parents were dog breeders and their kennels were often filled with a litter of puppies. April helped care for the dogs by bathing them and giving them the best food and water.

April's class had also been learning how to care for animals in their science lessons, so she was thrilled when her teacher announced a field trip to an animal shelter. The shelter manager, Rachel, led the class into the kennel area where dogs and cats sat along opposite walls of the building. April was stunned by what she saw. Some dogs looked like they had been starved before coming to the shelter.

"What happened to these dogs?" April asked.

"These dogs are here because their owners did not care for them properly," Rachel replied. "We try to keep the animals healthy so they can go to good homes. If you know someone who wants to adopt a pet, please tell them about our shelter."

April decided to take action and she printed flyers with information about the shelter. April's parents handed them out to people who bought their puppies. The following day April received permission to post a flyer at her school. That afternoon, April received a phone call at home.

"Hi, April, this is Rachel. I wanted to thank you for creating flyers for the shelter. Our adoptions have already started to increase!"

"You're welcome! I just wanted to help rescue the puppies."

Which detail from the second paragraph would be most important to include in a summary of this passage?

a)

The shelter manager named Rachel gave April a tour.

b)

April's class took a field trip to the local animal shelter.

c)

April's class had been learning about animals in their classes.

d)

April received a phone call at home in the afternoon.

35.

Which of the below statements best summarizes the passage?

April's parents were dog breeders and their kennels were often filled with a litter of puppies. April helped care for the dogs by bathing them and giving them the best food and water.

April's class had also been learning how to care for animals in their science lessons, so she was thrilled when her teacher announced a field trip to an animal shelter. The shelter manager, Rachel, led the class into the kennel area where dogs and cats sat along opposite walls of the building. April was stunned by what she saw. Some dogs looked like they had been starved before coming to the shelter.

"What happened to these dogs?" April asked.

"These dogs are here because their owners did not care for them properly," Rachel replied. "We try to keep the animals healthy so they can go to good homes. If you know someone who wants to adopt a pet, please tell them about our shelter."

April decided to take action and she printed flyers with information about the shelter. April's parents handed them out to people who bought their puppies. The following day April received permission to post a flyer at her school. That afternoon, April received a phone call at home.

"Hi, April, this is Rachel. I wanted to thank you for creating flyers for the shelter. Our adoptions have already started to increase!"

"You're welcome! I just wanted to help rescue the puppies."

a)

After a field trip to the animal shelter, April makes flyers to increase animal adoption because she cares about animals.

b)

April's class takes a field trip to an animal shelter, and April learns how to take care of animals with the rest of her class.

c)

The local animal shelter manager tells April that animals come to the shelter because their owners do not care for them.

d)

April's parents have too many dogs to care for, and April works to keep their dogs from being taken to an animal shelter.

36.

When writing a summary, you should ask yourself: "Do you need this information to understand the text?"

a)

True

b)

False

37.

Tomorrow is Jill's birthday. She is excited because she gets to pick where she will eat dinner. Will it be Mexican food at the Big Enchilada House? Or will it be fried chicken at the Chicken Shack, or a big cheeseburger at Al's Hamburger Palace. She just couldn't decide. Then there was always the Pizza Shop with that great pepperoni pizza. How would she ever decide? Maybe she would just flip a coin.

The summary of this passage is:

a)

Jill has many restaurants to choose from for her birthday.

b)

Jill loves Mexican food.

c)

The Pizza Shop has the best pizza in town.

d)

Jill will choose a place by flipping a coin.

38.

Does this sentence need a comma?

Because Mrs. Frey's coffee was too cold she heated it in the microwave.

a)

yes

b)

no

39.

Does this sentence need a comma?

She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.

a)

yes

b)

no

40.

Does this sentence need a comma?

Miss Travis was shocked when her class pet came back to life.

a)

yes

b)

no

41.

Does this sentence need a comma?

Although it was very long the movie was still enjoyable.

a)

yes

b)

no

42.

Does this sentence need a comma?

After the tornado hit there was very little left standing.

a)

yes

b)

no

43.

Does this sentence need a comma?

I really enjoy playing football although I'm not very good.

a)

yes

b)

no

44.

Does this sentence need a comma?

When I was in first grade we traveled to Disney World.

a)

yes

b)

no

45.

Does this sentence need a comma?

We can do whatever we like.

a)

yes

b)

no

46.

What does the F in FANBOYS stand for?

a)

Fun

b)

Function

c)

For

d)

Fro

47.

What does the A in FANBOYS stand for?

a)

Also

b)

And

c)

Although

d)

A

48.

What does the N in FANBOYS stand for?

a)

Neither

b)

Not

c)

Never

d)

Nor

49.

What does the Y in FANBOYS stand for?

a)

Yet

b)

Your

c)

You

d)

Yeet

50.

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

a)

Although the dangers of smoking are well known, many continue to smoke anyway.

b)

A planner helps you stay organized, so you should consider using one.

51.

What conjunction should be used in this sentence?

The concert was really fun, _________ it was too bad the weather wasn't better.

a)

For

b)

Yet

c)

Nor

d)

So

52.

Which conjunction best completes the sentence?

Sam could pack a lunch, _________ he could buy lunch at school.

a)

or

b)

so

c)

yet

d)

nor

53.

Charlie is going to the Halloween dance, _________ Johnny is not.

a)

but

b)

yet

c)

or

d)

nor

54.

Which conjunction best completes the sentence?

I can't sing, _______ can I dance.

a)

so

b)

for

c)

nor

d)

yet

55.

Which of these is a compound sentence?

a)

Mary and Jane went to the mall.

b)

James plays basketball, and Hector wrestles.

c)

Milo raps and sings.

d)

Although I read all of the answers, I don't know which one is correct.

56.

What/Who is the subject in the following sentence?

Carter and Addy went to the library

a)

Carter

b)

Addy

c)

Carter and Addy

d)

went to the library

Author's Purpose.

Total questions: 56

Worksheet time: 2hrs 43mins

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