Dear Museum Members,
We are writing to announce an exciting new change to your membership benefits. Starting May 1, all members will now receive a 15% discount at the museum café, in addition to the existing 10% discount in the gift shop. Furthermore, we are introducing 'Member Mornings,' allowing you exclusive access to our main exhibits from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month. We hope these new perks will enhance your experience and show our appreciation for your continued support. Please be prepared to show your membership card to take advantage of these new benefits.
What is the primary purpose of this letter?
- To ask members to renew their annual museum membership.
- To inform members about new benefits being added to their membership. (correct answer)
- To announce a price increase for food and drinks at the museum café.
- To invite members to a special, one-time-only event at the museum.
Explanation: When you encounter questions asking about the "primary purpose" of a passage, you need to identify the author's main goal in writing the text. Look for what the author is trying to accomplish with their communication. This letter clearly aims to inform museum members about new benefits being added to their membership. The opening line states "We are writing to announce an exciting new change to your membership benefits," and the entire letter describes these additions: a 15% café discount and exclusive "Member Mornings" access. The author systematically explains each new perk and how members can access them. Let's examine why the other choices miss the mark. Choice A is incorrect because the letter never asks members to renew their memberships or mentions anything about renewal. Choice C misinterprets the café discount—the letter announces a discount for members, not a price increase. Choice D incorrectly characterizes "Member Mornings" as a one-time event when the letter clearly states this will happen "on the first Saturday of every month," making it a recurring benefit. The correct answer is B because the letter's sole purpose is informing members about the new 15% café discount and monthly Member Mornings access, in addition to their existing benefits. Strategy tip: For primary purpose questions, focus on the opening and closing statements—they often directly state the author's intent. Also, distinguish between what the passage mentions versus what it actually does. Just because a passage mentions café pricing doesn't mean its purpose is to discuss pricing changes.