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Author's Purpose & Text Structure

Grade 5 · Stretch challenge · 8 questions · Version PG-1V7GZIF-XSZ0

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

Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. What is the author's main purpose?

2.

A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?

3.

Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. 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.

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

6.

A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. What is the author's main purpose?

7.

Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?

8.

A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. 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 18
  1. Engineers revised a bridge model after its center bent. They added supports and tested again. What is the author's main purpose?To show how testing improves a design
  2. A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  3. 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
  4. The council compared three playground plans for cost, safety, and accessibility before voting. How is this text mainly organized?Sequence
  5. A primary source comes from the time studied. A secondary source interprets evidence later. How is this text mainly organized?Compare and contrast
  6. A budget lists expected income and expenses. Comparing them helps a family plan spending. What is the author's main purpose?To explain why people use budgets
  7. Pollinators move pollen between flowers. Without this transfer, many plants make fewer fruits. How is this text mainly organized?Cause and effect
  8. A lever is a rigid bar that turns around a fixed point. Moving that point changes the effort needed. What is the author's main purpose?To explain how a lever works

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.