Language Arts: Author's Purpose: Persuade, Inform, Entertain Worksheet

Question 1

Read the passage: Sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean. Female sea turtles return to beaches to lay eggs in nests they dig in the sand. After the eggs hatch, the baby turtles move toward the water. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to inform. The passage gives facts about where sea turtles live, where they lay eggs, and what baby turtles do after hatching.

Question 2

Read the passage: You should join the school recycling club this month. Recycling helps keep trash out of landfills, and our club makes it easy to help the planet. Sign up today and make a difference. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to persuade. The author is trying to convince students to join the recycling club by giving reasons and using a call to action.

Question 3

Read the passage: Benny the hamster escaped from his cage, rolled through the hallway in a toy truck, and ended up wearing a tiny sock as a hat. His owner laughed so hard that Benny squeaked proudly. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to entertain. The passage tells a funny story about a hamster to amuse the reader.

Question 4

A poster says: Vote for Maya for class president. She listens to everyone, has great ideas for school spirit days, and will work hard for our class. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to persuade. The poster tries to convince students to vote for Maya by giving positive reasons.

Question 5

Read the passage: A volcano forms when melted rock, ash, and gases escape through an opening in Earth's crust. Some volcanoes are active, while others are dormant or extinct. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to inform. The author explains what a volcano is and gives factual information about types of volcanoes.

Question 6

Read the passage: The dragon sneezed a puff of glitter instead of fire. Then it blushed, covered its snout with one wing, and whispered, I really must stop eating sparkly cupcakes. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to entertain. The passage uses imaginary events and humor to tell an amusing story.

Question 7

Read the passage: Our cafeteria should serve fresh fruit every day. Fruit gives students energy, tastes great, and is healthier than many packaged snacks. Ask the principal to add more fruit choices. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to persuade. The author wants readers to support adding fresh fruit to the cafeteria and gives reasons for that opinion.

Question 8

Read the passage: The water cycle has four main parts: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Heat from the sun causes water to evaporate, and clouds form when water vapor cools. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to inform. The passage teaches the reader about the steps of the water cycle using facts.

Question 9

Read the passage: The old tree at the end of Willow Lane whispered whenever the wind blew. One evening, Lena heard it say her name, and a door opened in its trunk. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to entertain. The passage begins a mysterious fictional story meant to interest the reader.

Question 10

Read the passage: Do not miss the fourth grade talent show on Friday night. You will see amazing singers, dancers, magicians, and comedians. Bring your family and cheer for your classmates. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to persuade. The author is trying to get people to attend the talent show.

Question 11

Read the passage: The first public libraries in the United States helped people borrow books without buying them. Today, many libraries also offer computers, research help, and activities for children. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to inform. The author gives facts about public libraries in the past and present.

Question 12

Look at a book cover that shows a detective dog holding a magnifying glass and the title Mystery at Moonlight Manor. The back cover says the dog follows muddy paw prints to solve a spooky case. What is the author's purpose for this book?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to entertain. The book seems to tell a fictional mystery story for readers to enjoy.

Question 13

Read the passage: Please help protect our playground by putting trash in the bins. When everyone cleans up after themselves, the playground stays safe, clean, and fun for all students. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to persuade. The author wants students to put trash in bins and gives reasons why it matters.

Question 14

Read the passage: Honeybees live together in colonies. A colony includes a queen, worker bees, and drones. Worker bees collect nectar and pollen, care for young bees, and help protect the hive. What is the author's purpose?

Accepted Answer

The author's purpose is to inform. The passage explains how honeybee colonies are organized and what worker bees do.

Question 15

Write one sentence that would fit each author's purpose about a school garden: one to persuade, one to inform, and one to entertain.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary, but a strong response includes one sentence that persuades, such as We should plant a school garden because it will give us fresh vegetables, one sentence that informs, such as A school garden can grow tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots, and one sentence that entertains, such as The carrots had a contest to see who could pop out of the soil first.

Language Arts: Author's Purpose: Persuade, Inform, Entertain

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