Author's Purpose Examples in Non-Fiction Passages (Grade 7)

🧠 Quick Study Guide: Author's Purpose

• 📚 To Inform: The author wants to teach you something new or provide facts. Look for data, statistics, definitions, and explanations of topics.
• 🗣️ To Persuade: The author aims to convince you to agree with their opinion, take action, or believe a certain way. Watch for strong opinions, arguments, and calls to action.
• 🎨 To Describe: The author's goal is to create a vivid mental picture for the reader using sensory details (what you see, hear, smell, taste, feel).
• 💡 To Explain: The author clarifies a process, concept, or how something works. This often involves step-by-step instructions or cause-and-effect relationships.
• 🤔 Key Question: When reading, always ask yourself: "What does the author want me to know, feel, or do after reading this?" This helps pinpoint their main goal.

✅ Practice Quiz

Passage 1: "The monarch butterfly undergoes complete metamorphosis, a four-stage process. It begins as an egg, laid on a milkweed plant. The egg hatches into a larva, or caterpillar, which eats constantly. After growing significantly, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, entering the pupa stage. Finally, an adult butterfly emerges, ready to fly and lay its own eggs."

1. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 1?

1. To persuade readers to protect monarch butterflies.
2. To inform readers about the monarch butterfly's life cycle.
3. To entertain readers with a story about a butterfly.
4. To describe the beauty of a monarch butterfly.

Passage 2: "It is absolutely essential that every household participate in recycling programs. Our landfills are overflowing, and the planet's resources are finite. By simply sorting our waste, we can significantly reduce pollution, conserve energy, and protect wildlife. Make the commitment today for a healthier future!"

2. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 2?

1. To inform readers about the process of recycling.
2. To describe the environmental impact of landfills.
3. To persuade readers to recycle.
4. To entertain readers with facts about waste management.

Passage 3: "The ancient redwood forests of California stand as towering sentinels, their colossal trunks reaching skyward, piercing the misty canopy. Sunlight filters through the dense foliage in shimmering shafts, illuminating the fern-covered forest floor. The air is cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of moss and decaying leaves, while the distant murmur of a stream adds to the profound stillness."

3. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 3?

1. To inform readers about the age of redwood trees.
2. To persuade readers to visit redwood forests.
3. To describe the atmosphere and appearance of a redwood forest.
4. To explain the ecosystem of a redwood forest.

Passage 4: "Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. This occurs primarily in chloroplasts, where chlorophyll captures sunlight. Water and carbon dioxide are absorbed, and through a series of complex reactions, they are transformed into glucose (sugar) and oxygen."

4. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 4?

1. To persuade readers about the importance of plants.
2. To describe the components of a plant cell.
3. To explain how photosynthesis works.
4. To entertain readers with botanical facts.

Passage 5: "Mars, often called the 'Red Planet,' is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System. It has a thin atmosphere composed primarily of carbon dioxide. Its distinctive reddish appearance comes from iron oxide prevalent on its surface. Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos."

5. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 5?

1. To persuade readers that Mars is an interesting planet.
2. To describe the possibility of life on Mars.
3. To inform readers about key characteristics of Mars.
4. To explain how Mars got its red color.

Passage 6: "Reading just 20 minutes a day can open up entire new worlds and dramatically improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills. Don't let social media consume all your free time; pick up a book! Engaging with diverse stories and non-fiction texts will not only boost your grades but also foster critical thinking, making you a more well-rounded individual."

6. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 6?

1. To inform readers about the benefits of reading.
2. To persuade students to read more.
3. To describe different types of books.
4. To explain how to improve reading speed.

Passage 7: "The Rosetta Stone, a crucial artifact in understanding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, is a dark granodiorite stele. It stands approximately 112.3 cm (44.2 in) high, 75.7 cm (29.8 in) wide, and 28.4 cm (11.1 in) thick. Its polished surface bears three distinct scripts: hieroglyphic, Demotic, and ancient Greek, carved in parallel bands."

7. What is the author's primary purpose in Passage 7?

1. To persuade readers to visit the British Museum.
2. To inform readers about the history of the Rosetta Stone.
3. To explain how the Rosetta Stone was deciphered.
4. To describe the physical appearance of the Rosetta Stone.