Author's Purpose For Writing Quiz

1.
On Tuesday, scientists announced that they had identified the fossil remains of the smallest dinosaur ever to roam North America. The bones were discovered 30 years ago in Colorado.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The given correct answer is "To inform" because the passage is stating a factual piece of information - the discovery of the fossil remains of the smallest dinosaur in North America. The purpose of the passage is to provide this information to the readers and not to entertain or persuade them.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "To inform" because the passage is stating a factual piece of information - the discovery of the fossil remains of the smallest dinosaur in North America. The purpose of the passage is to provide this information to the readers and not to entertain or persuade them.

2. Game night at our house was hilarious when we played Cranium with two teams of three. Imagine Abram, the savvy surfer, making an impression of Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy Birthday." Or Dave, the macho bodybuilder, swinging his hips and singing a medley of Madonna's songs. But the most memorable was George's Cranium Doodle hint for the architectural term "flying buttress." It was, well, side-splittingly outrageous!

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The passage describes a game night where the participants play Cranium and engage in hilarious and outrageous activities. The purpose of the game night is clearly to entertain the participants and provide them with a fun and enjoyable experience. There is no indication that the passage is meant to inform or persuade the reader about anything. Therefore, the correct answer is to entertain.

Explanation

The passage describes a game night where the participants play Cranium and engage in hilarious and outrageous activities. The purpose of the game night is clearly to entertain the participants and provide them with a fun and enjoyable experience. There is no indication that the passage is meant to inform or persuade the reader about anything. Therefore, the correct answer is to entertain.

3. In naval aviation, the AWACS (Airborne Early Warning Command and Control System) plane, or Hawkeye, serves as an air traffic controller, monitoring the airspace around a carrier fleet. It is responsible for surveillance of enemy aircraft and ships as well as directing helicopters to survivors and guarding against air collisions. In addition to servicing the Navy, Hawkeye planes have been used in rescue operations of civilians during hurricane evacuations.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The given passage provides information about the role and responsibilities of the AWACS plane, also known as Hawkeye, in naval aviation. It explains that the plane serves as an air traffic controller, monitors the airspace, conducts surveillance of enemy aircraft and ships, directs helicopters to survivors, and guards against air collisions. It also mentions that Hawkeye planes have been used in rescue operations of civilians during hurricane evacuations. Therefore, the passage is primarily aimed at informing the readers about the functions and uses of the Hawkeye plane in naval operations and rescue missions.

Explanation

The given passage provides information about the role and responsibilities of the AWACS plane, also known as Hawkeye, in naval aviation. It explains that the plane serves as an air traffic controller, monitors the airspace, conducts surveillance of enemy aircraft and ships, directs helicopters to survivors, and guards against air collisions. It also mentions that Hawkeye planes have been used in rescue operations of civilians during hurricane evacuations. Therefore, the passage is primarily aimed at informing the readers about the functions and uses of the Hawkeye plane in naval operations and rescue missions.

4. Circadian rhythms have fascinated scientists for many years. Recognizing that the eye nerves translate information to the brain about the time of day, scientists observe that we adapt to the conditions around us. Also, these researchers have recently discovered that not everyone is alike. For example, teenagers are nocturnal. That is, they are more active at night but do not function as well early in the morning.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The passage provides information about circadian rhythms and how scientists have observed that individuals adapt to their surroundings based on information transmitted from the eye nerves to the brain about the time of day. It also mentions the recent discovery that teenagers are more active at night and do not function as well in the morning. Therefore, the passage is primarily focused on providing information about circadian rhythms and the differences in behavior among individuals, rather than entertaining or persuading the reader.

Explanation

The passage provides information about circadian rhythms and how scientists have observed that individuals adapt to their surroundings based on information transmitted from the eye nerves to the brain about the time of day. It also mentions the recent discovery that teenagers are more active at night and do not function as well in the morning. Therefore, the passage is primarily focused on providing information about circadian rhythms and the differences in behavior among individuals, rather than entertaining or persuading the reader.

5.
Kids at Morning Star Elementary School in Bozeman, Montana, turned ideas into actions. Their fifth-grade class raised money for the Red Cross and Haiti. They collected more than $1,100.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The given answer, "To inform," is correct because the passage provides information about the actions taken by the fifth-grade class at Morning Star Elementary School in Bozeman, Montana. It states that the kids raised money for the Red Cross and Haiti and collected over $1,100. This information is presented in a straightforward manner without any attempt to entertain or persuade the reader.

Explanation

The given answer, "To inform," is correct because the passage provides information about the actions taken by the fifth-grade class at Morning Star Elementary School in Bozeman, Montana. It states that the kids raised money for the Red Cross and Haiti and collected over $1,100. This information is presented in a straightforward manner without any attempt to entertain or persuade the reader.

6. I don't think that students should be paid for good grades. Students should just want to get good grades. It's also not fair to kids who work hard but don't always get good grades on tests.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The given answer is "To persuade". The passage is trying to convince the reader that students should not be paid for good grades. It presents arguments against the idea, such as the belief that students should have intrinsic motivation to achieve good grades and that it would be unfair to those who work hard but don't always perform well on tests. The purpose of this passage is to persuade the reader to agree with the author's viewpoint on the topic.

Explanation

The given answer is "To persuade". The passage is trying to convince the reader that students should not be paid for good grades. It presents arguments against the idea, such as the belief that students should have intrinsic motivation to achieve good grades and that it would be unfair to those who work hard but don't always perform well on tests. The purpose of this passage is to persuade the reader to agree with the author's viewpoint on the topic.

7. The group turned down yet another hall that opened into a jungle-like area with beautiful flowers, very small trees, sunshine that filtered through skylights, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The description of the jungle-like area with beautiful flowers, small trees, sunshine, and floor-to-ceiling windows suggests that the purpose of this setting is to entertain. The vivid and picturesque imagery creates a visually appealing and captivating environment, which is typically associated with entertainment. This description seems to serve no informative or persuasive purpose, as it focuses more on creating a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere rather than conveying information or persuading the reader.

Explanation

The description of the jungle-like area with beautiful flowers, small trees, sunshine, and floor-to-ceiling windows suggests that the purpose of this setting is to entertain. The vivid and picturesque imagery creates a visually appealing and captivating environment, which is typically associated with entertainment. This description seems to serve no informative or persuasive purpose, as it focuses more on creating a pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere rather than conveying information or persuading the reader.

8. Alonzo winked at his mother's shocked gaze and with a grin quipped, "Sausage and pepperoni pizza for breakfast makes perfect sense. Allow me to demonstrate. You have your tomato. Tomato is technically a fruit. You have your cheese. Cheese is a dairy product. You have your crust—necessary carbs for quick energy in the morning. And don't forget the sausage and pepperoni—my protein. If you think about it, it's just like bacon and eggs, toast, and orange juice." Still grinning, he added, "Really it is. Well, almost. Why are you looking at me that way?"

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The passage is primarily focused on Alonzo's playful and humorous explanation for why eating sausage and pepperoni pizza for breakfast makes sense. He uses a combination of logic and comparisons to other traditional breakfast foods to support his argument. The purpose of this passage is to entertain the reader through Alonzo's witty and lighthearted explanation rather than to inform or persuade them. Even though there are many facts listed, it is within the context of a story written to entertain.

Explanation

The passage is primarily focused on Alonzo's playful and humorous explanation for why eating sausage and pepperoni pizza for breakfast makes sense. He uses a combination of logic and comparisons to other traditional breakfast foods to support his argument. The purpose of this passage is to entertain the reader through Alonzo's witty and lighthearted explanation rather than to inform or persuade them. Even though there are many facts listed, it is within the context of a story written to entertain.

9. Tobacco companies should be forced to pay lucrative settlements to anyone who has become addicted or adversely affected by the use of their products. Anyone who has a loved one who has succumbed to the temptation to use cigarettes can attest to the way the product can swallow souls as well as consumers' wallets. The clinical evidence of the devastation created by secondhand smoke is compelling enough for legislators to consider legal action against the powerful corporations. Unfortunately, tobacco companies have traditionally provided strong financial support for many political candidates. Write your congressional representative and express your outrage!

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The passage provides arguments and evidence to support the idea that tobacco companies should be forced to pay settlements to those affected by their products. It appeals to the readers' emotions by mentioning the devastating effects of addiction and secondhand smoke. The passage also encourages readers to take action by writing to their congressional representative. Therefore, the passage's purpose is to persuade readers to support legal action against tobacco companies.

Explanation

The passage provides arguments and evidence to support the idea that tobacco companies should be forced to pay settlements to those affected by their products. It appeals to the readers' emotions by mentioning the devastating effects of addiction and secondhand smoke. The passage also encourages readers to take action by writing to their congressional representative. Therefore, the passage's purpose is to persuade readers to support legal action against tobacco companies.

10. If you are interested in sharing your ideas with like-minded people who can comment on your writing, you may want to try blogging. Blogging is short for "Weblogging," logging on to a Web site where you can upload your writing and ask other "bloggers" to post their comments.

To entertain

To inform

To persuade

The correct answer is "To inform" because the passage is discussing the purpose and benefits of blogging. It explains that blogging allows individuals to upload their writing and ask for comments from other bloggers, indicating that the main goal is to share information and ideas rather than entertain or persuade.

Explanation

The correct answer is "To inform" because the passage is discussing the purpose and benefits of blogging. It explains that blogging allows individuals to upload their writing and ask for comments from other bloggers, indicating that the main goal is to share information and ideas rather than entertain or persuade.