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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 4 · Stretch challenge · 8 questions · Version PG-1HGTJ1L-1P1G

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

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

2.

Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?

3.

The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. What is the author's main purpose?

4.

A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. How is this text mainly organized?

5.

Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. What is the author's main purpose?

6.

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

7.

A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. What is the author's main purpose?

8.

A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. How is this text mainly organized?

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 20
  1. 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
  2. Warm ocean water adds energy to tropical storms. Cooler water usually weakens them. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  3. 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
  4. A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  5. Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. What is the author's main purpose?To explain the importance of pollinators
  6. Mina read two reports about one event. She checked their sources before trusting the details. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  7. A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. What is the author's main purpose?To distinguish primary and secondary sources
  8. A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast

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.