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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 3 · On-level practice · 8 questions · Version PG-9E4WQQ-1F8T

Children investigate a leaf and a frog with a caregiver beside a pond.
1.

Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. What is the author's main purpose?

2.

Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?

3.

Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. What is the author's main purpose?

4.

The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. How is this text mainly organized?

5.

The class tested paper towels using equal water, measured each result, and recorded the data. What is the author's main purpose?

6.

Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. What is the author's main purpose?

7.

A pond is smaller than a lake, but both are freshwater habitats that support living things. 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 17
  1. Weather can change in hours, but climate describes patterns measured over many years. What is the author's main purpose?To explain the difference between weather and climate
  2. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  3. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. What is the author's main purpose?To show how Mina evaluated information
  4. The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  5. The class tested paper towels using equal water, measured each result, and recorded the data. What is the author's main purpose?To describe a fair test
  6. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. What is the author's main purpose?To explain how ocean temperature affects storms
  7. A pond is smaller than a lake, but both are freshwater habitats that support living things. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast
  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.