Identify Author's Main Purpose - 2nd Grade Reading

Which option best matches the purpose: "What do plants need to grow?" followed by facts?

To answer a question. A question title followed by facts shows the author is answering it.
Identify the main purpose: "This book tells what penguins look like and where they live."

To describe. Appearance and location details describe the subject.
Which option best describes an informational text written to describe something?

It tells what something is like using details. Describing means painting a picture with specific details.
Identify the main purpose: "The author uses many details to show what the desert is like."

To describe. Many details create a vivid picture for readers.
Which purpose best matches a text that gives facts about a topic's features?

To describe. Features and facts paint a picture of what something is like.
Identify the main purpose: "This page answers the question, 'How do magnets stick to metal?'"

To answer a question. The text directly states it's answering a specific question.
Identify the clue that best signals the author's purpose is to answer: a question title or many adjectives?

A question title. Questions in titles signal the text will provide answers.
What is the main purpose if a text mostly tells facts to respond to a question?

To answer a question. Facts that respond to questions show the author wants to provide answers.
Which option best describes an informational text written to answer a question?

It gives facts to respond to a specific question. Authors answer questions by providing relevant facts.
Which question best helps you identify the author's main purpose?

What does the author want me to learn from this text. This focuses on the author's teaching goal for readers.
Identify the clue that best signals the author's purpose is to describe: facts about features or steps?

Facts about features. Features are characteristics that help readers visualize.
What question should you ask to identify an author's main purpose?

What does the author want to answer, explain, or describe. This question helps readers focus on the author's goal.
Which purpose best fits a text that starts with "Many people wonder…" and then responds with facts?

To answer a question. "Wonder" introduces questions the text will answer.
Which text feature most often signals the author is describing something?

Many details about what it is like (size, color, parts). Descriptive details help readers visualize the subject.
Which three main purposes should you check for in a grade 2 informational text?

To answer, to explain, or to describe. These are the three main goals authors have when writing informational texts.
Identify the main purpose: "This book shows what a community looks like, including buildings and workers."

To describe. "Shows what...looks like" signals description.
Identify the main purpose: "This article explains why some animals hibernate in winter."

To explain. "Why" indicates explaining reasons or causes.
Identify the clue that best signals the author's purpose is to explain: steps or reasons?

Steps or reasons. Steps show how; reasons show why things happen.
Which option is the main purpose statement for a text listing parts of a frog and what each does?

To explain what the parts are and what they do. Listing parts and functions explains structure.
Identify the main purpose: "This article tells why leaves change color in fall."

To explain. "Why" signals the author will give reasons for how something happens.
Identify the main purpose: "It describes the parts of a fire truck and what each does."

To describe. Listing parts and their functions is describing features.
Which text feature most often signals that the author is trying to answer a question?

A question-and-answer format (questions with responses). Q&A format clearly shows the author is answering specific questions.
What text feature most often helps you find the main purpose quickly: title or page number?

Title. Titles usually reveal what the text is about.
Which option best matches the purpose: a page called "All About Penguins" listing traits?

To describe. "All About" titles with traits typically describe characteristics.
Identify the main purpose: "This text describes what a beaver looks like and where it lives."

To describe. "What...looks like" and "where it lives" are descriptive details.
Identify the main purpose: "It answers: What is a fossil? Where are fossils found?"

To answer a question. Multiple questions with responses show a Q&A purpose.
Which choice is the best main purpose statement for a text that tells what owls eat and how they hunt?

To describe how owls live and hunt. This matches the text's focus on describing owl behaviors and habits.
Which option best states the main purpose: "to tell every fact about bats" or "to describe bats"?

To describe bats. "Every fact" is too broad; main purpose should be concise.
Identify the main purpose: "A polar bear has thick fur, sharp claws, and a long snout."

To describe. Physical features paint a picture of the bear.
Which option best states the main purpose of a text called "What Is a Tornado?" with facts and definitions?

To answer what a tornado is. Question titles signal the text will provide answers.
What does the phrase "main purpose" mean in an informational text?

The author's main reason for writing the text. It's why the author chose to write about this topic.
Which choice is the best statement of main purpose: one big reason or many small details?

One big reason. Main purpose is broad, not a list of specific details.
Which option best matches the purpose: "How to wash your hands" with numbered steps?

To explain. "How to" with steps shows the author is explaining a process.
Choose the best main purpose: A text gives facts to respond to "How do bees make honey?"

To answer how bees make honey. The text responds to a specific "how" question.
Identify the main purpose: A text uses "First, Next, Then" to show how to recycle paper.

To explain. Sequence words indicate explaining a process.
Choose the best main purpose: A text explains why some rocks float and uses cause-and-effect words.

To explain why some rocks float. Cause-and-effect words signal explanation of reasons.
Identify the main purpose: "This page lists answers to questions about tornado safety."

To answer a question. "Lists answers to questions" clearly shows a Q&A purpose.
Which text feature most often signals the author is explaining a process?

Steps in order (first, next, then, last). Sequential words show the author is explaining how to do something.
Identify the main purpose: "This text answers the question: Why do we need sleep?"

To answer a question. The text directly states it answers a specific question.
What is the main purpose of an informational text?

The author's reason for writing the text. Authors write to inform readers about something specific.
Which purpose best matches a text that responds to a question like "Why do leaves change color?"

To answer a question. The text directly responds to the specific question posed.
Which clue best shows the author's purpose is to explain something?

Steps, reasons, or cause-and-effect words. These words signal the author is showing how or why something happens.
Identify the main purpose: "First, mix the soil. Next, plant the seed. Then, water it."

To explain (how to do something). Step-by-step instructions show how to do something.
Which text feature most often signals the author is answering questions?

A question-and-answer format (questions as headings). Questions as headings show the author is providing answers.
Which option best describes an informational text written to explain something?

It tells how or why something happens. Explaining means showing causes, processes, or reasons.
Which question best helps you identify an author's main purpose in an informational text?

What does the author want me to learn. This focuses on the author's teaching goal.
Identify the main purpose: A text uses headings "What is rain?" and "Where does rain come from?"

To answer a question. Question headings indicate the author is providing answers.
Which purpose best matches a text that teaches how something works?

To explain. Teaching how something works means explaining a process or concept.
What is the best place to look first for the author's main purpose in an informational text?

The title and the first paragraph. These parts usually state what the whole text will be about.
Which purpose best fits a paragraph full of adjectives about a desert (hot, dry, windy)?

To describe. Multiple adjectives create a descriptive picture.
Which clue best shows the author's purpose is to describe something?

Many details about parts, traits, or appearance. Lots of details help readers visualize and understand characteristics.
Identify the main purpose: "It explains how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly."

To explain. "How" something happens shows the author is explaining a process.
Identify the main purpose: "This text lists the parts of a plant and what each part does."

To explain. Listing parts and functions explains how something works.
What part of an informational text often states the main purpose most clearly?

The introduction or first paragraph. Authors often state their purpose early in the text.
What does the term "main purpose" mean in an informational text?

The author's main reason for writing the text. It's the central goal or intent behind writing.
What is the main purpose if a text tells what something is like using details and features?

To describe. Details and features help readers picture or understand what something is like.
Identify the main purpose: "This article tells how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly."

To explain. "How" signals a process explanation.
What is the difference between main purpose and topic?

Topic is what it is about; purpose is why it was written. Topic is the subject; purpose is the author's goal.
What is the main purpose if a text tells how or why something happens using reasons?

To explain. Reasons and causes show the author wants to help readers understand how or why.

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