Understanding the Topic

Identifying the author’s purpose is a crucial skill in reading comprehension that helps students analyse and interpret texts more effectively. The author’s purpose refers to the reason why the author has written a particular piece. It can be to inform, entertain, persuade, or express an emotion or idea. Understanding the author’s purpose allows readers to engage more deeply with the text and evaluate the effectiveness of the author’s techniques.

There are several key purposes that authors may have, including:

  • To Inform: The author aims to provide factual information or educate the reader about a specific topic.
  • To Persuade: The author seeks to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or encourage action.
  • To Entertain: The author wants to engage the reader’s imagination, often through storytelling or humour.
  • To Express: The author shares personal feelings or emotions, often seen in poetry or reflective writing.

By recognising these purposes, students can enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills, leading to a more enriched understanding of literature.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. What is the main purpose when an author writes a news article?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  2. If a story makes you laugh, what is the author’s likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  3. When an author tries to convince you to buy a product, what is their purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  4. If a poem expresses deep feelings, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To express
  5. What is the author’s purpose in a textbook?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  6. In a speech about climate change, what is the likely purpose of the author?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  7. If an author writes a fictional story about friendship, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To entertain
    c) To inform
  8. What is the purpose when a writer shares personal experiences?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To persuade
  9. When an author writes a review of a movie, what is their primary purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  10. If a magazine article aims to raise awareness about a social issue, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  11. What is the likely purpose of a funny comic strip?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  12. When an author writes a manual for using a device, what is their purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To express
  13. What is the purpose when a novelist creates a thrilling adventure?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  14. If a poem discusses the beauty of nature, what is the author’s likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To persuade
    c) To inform
  15. What is the author’s purpose in a recipe book?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  16. When an author aims to inspire people through their writing, what is their purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  17. If a writer discusses historical events, what is their primary purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To entertain
  18. What is the author’s likely purpose in a persuasive essay?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  19. If an author writes a blog about their travel experiences, what is their purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To express
  20. When a speaker talks about their charity work, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To express

Medium Level Questions

  1. What might be the author’s purpose in writing a biography?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  2. If an author uses strong emotions to make a point, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To entertain
  3. In a story that highlights the consequences of bullying, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  4. What is the author’s purpose when writing a letter to a local council?
    a) To express
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  5. If a film critic reviews a new movie, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  6. What could be the author’s purpose in creating a motivational speech?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  7. In a novel that explores complex social issues, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To entertain
  8. If an article discusses the benefits of exercise, what is the likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  9. What is the author’s purpose when writing a satirical piece?
    a) To entertain
    b) To persuade
    c) To inform
  10. If an author writes about the dangers of smoking, what is their primary purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  11. What might be the author’s purpose in creating a fantasy story?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  12. If a text aims to raise awareness about mental health, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To entertain
  13. What is the likely purpose of a documentary film?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  14. When an author uses anecdotes to illustrate a point, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To persuade
  15. If a writer aims to celebrate cultural heritage, what is their purpose?
    a) To entertain
    b) To express
    c) To inform
  16. What is the author’s purpose in a news report about a natural disaster?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  17. If a story focuses on the theme of friendship, what might be the author’s purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To persuade
    c) To inform
  18. What could be the author’s purpose in writing a persuasive blog post?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  19. If a poem explores the theme of loss, what is the author’s likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To entertain
  20. What is the likely purpose when an author describes their favourite childhood memory?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade

Hard Level Questions

  1. In a literary analysis essay, what is the author’s primary purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To express
  2. If an author aims to highlight social injustices through their work, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  3. What could be the author’s purpose in writing a fictional story based on real events?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  4. If a writer uses irony to convey their message, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To entertain
    c) To inform
  5. What is the author’s purpose in creating an argumentative essay?
    a) To persuade
    b) To entertain
    c) To inform
  6. If a piece of writing aims to reflect on personal growth, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To persuade
  7. What might be the author’s purpose in writing a dystopian novel?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  8. If a text is designed to critique government policy, what is the author’s likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  9. **What is the likely purpose when an author uses vivid imagery to describe a scene?**
    a) To express
    b) To entertain
    c) To inform
  10. If a narrative explores the consequences of greed, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To entertain
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  11. In an essay discussing the importance of education, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To express
  12. If a memoir recounts significant life events, what is the author’s purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To persuade
  13. What is the purpose when a writer explores existential themes in their work?
    a) To inform
    b) To express
    c) To entertain
  14. If a character’s journey reflects personal challenges, what is the author’s likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To persuade
    c) To inform
  15. What could be the author’s purpose in writing a series of essays on various topics?
    a) To inform
    b) To persuade
    c) To entertain
  16. If a poet uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To entertain
    c) To inform
  17. What is the likely purpose of a critical review of a novel?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade
  18. If a narrative explores themes of love and loss, what might be the author’s purpose?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  19. What is the author’s purpose when writing a speech to motivate a team?
    a) To express
    b) To inform
    c) To persuade
  20. If an author aims to provide a new perspective on a historical event, what is their likely purpose?
    a) To inform
    b) To entertain
    c) To persuade

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

  1. b) To inform – A news article provides facts about current events.
  2. b) To entertain – A story that makes you laugh has an entertainment purpose.
  3. b) To persuade – Convincing someone to buy a product indicates persuasion.
  4. c) To express – A poem expressing feelings has an expressive purpose.
  5. b) To inform – A textbook provides factual information.
  6. c) To persuade – A speech about climate change aims to persuade listeners to take action.
  7. b) To entertain – A fictional story about friendship aims to engage readers.
  8. b) To express – Sharing personal experiences shows the author’s feelings.
  9. a) To inform – A movie review informs readers about the film.
  10. a) To inform – Raising awareness about social issues informs the audience.
  11. a) To entertain – A funny comic strip aims to engage readers with humour.
  12. a) To inform – A manual provides information on using a device.
  13. b) To entertain – A thrilling adventure story is meant to entertain.
  14. a) To express – A poem about nature shares personal feelings.
  15. b) To inform – A recipe book provides cooking instructions.
  16. b) To persuade – A motivational piece aims to encourage and inspire.
  17. a) To inform – Discussing historical events aims to educate the audience.
  18. c) To persuade – A persuasive essay aims to convince readers of a viewpoint.
  19. b) To entertain – Travel experiences are often written to engage readers.
  20. b) To persuade – Charity talks often aim to encourage support for the cause.

Medium Level Answers

  1. b) To inform – A biography provides factual details about someone’s life.
  2. a) To express – Strong emotions convey the author’s personal feelings.
  3. c) To persuade – Highlighting bullying consequences seeks to change behaviour.
  4. b) To persuade – A letter to the council aims to convince officials of an issue.
  5. a) To inform – A film critic informs readers about the movie’s quality.
  6. b) To persuade – A motivational speech encourages action or change.
  7. c) To entertain – Exploring social issues can engage readers through narrative.
  8. c) To persuade – Discussing exercise benefits seeks to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
  9. a) To entertain – Satirical pieces often use humour to critique or mock.
  10. c) To persuade – Discussing smoking dangers aims to dissuade readers.
  11. a) To entertain – A fantasy story engages readers through imaginative storytelling.
  12. a) To inform – Raising mental health awareness seeks to educate readers.
  13. b) To inform – A documentary film provides factual information about a topic.
  14. c) To persuade – Anecdotes can illustrate points in a persuasive manner.
  15. b) To express – Celebrating cultural heritage reflects personal values.
  16. a) To inform – A news report provides facts about current events.
  17. a) To express – Themes of friendship are often expressed in stories.
  18. c) To persuade – A persuasive blog post aims to influence readers’ opinions.
  19. a) To express – A poem about loss shares the author’s emotions.
  20. a) To express – Sharing childhood memories often expresses nostalgia.

Hard Level Answers

  1. b) To persuade – A literary analysis aims to convince the reader of an interpretation.
  2. b) To persuade – Highlighting injustices seeks to inspire action or change.
  3. b) To inform – Writing about real events aims to educate readers.
  4. a) To express – Using irony often serves to convey deeper meanings.
  5. a) To persuade – An argumentative essay aims to convince the reader of a position.
  6. b) To express – Reflecting on personal growth shares emotional journeys.
  7. b) To entertain – Dystopian novels often engage readers through storytelling.
  8. b) To persuade – Critiquing policy aims to influence public opinion.
  9. a) To express – Vivid imagery often conveys emotions or themes.
  10. c) To persuade – Exploring greed consequences can critique social behaviour.
  11. a) To inform – Discussing education importance seeks to educate.
  12. b) To express – A memoir recounts life events to share personal stories.
  13. b) To express – Existential themes explore deep philosophical questions.
  14. a) To express – A character’s journey reflects personal challenges.
  15. a) To inform – Writing essays on various topics aims to educate readers.
  16. a) To express – Symbolism conveys deeper meanings in literature.
  17. a) To inform – A critical review aims to provide insights on a novel.
  18. a) To express – Themes of love and loss reflect emotional experiences.
  19. c) To persuade – A motivational speech aims to inspire listeners.
  20. a) To inform – Providing a new perspective educates readers about historical events.

This structured approach will enhance students’ understanding of authorial intent, improving their analytical skills and engagement with various texts.