Language & Literature

What is the purpose of this text? Quiz

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This quiz helps you figure out the purpose of the text in short passages: to inform, entertain, or persuade. Use tone and word choice as clues, answer quickly, and see instant results to boost reading skills. If you want extra practice, try our author's purpose quiz and rhetoric quiz, or sharpen summaries with a summary quiz.

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1Our annual report shows that company profits have increased by 20% over the past year.
2Don't miss out: limited-time sale! Act now and save 50% on all items!
3Knock, knock. Whos there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, its cold out here!
4Tomorrows high will reach 75F, with sunny skies and a light breeze from the northwest.
5She picked up the wand, her heart racing, as the ancient spellbook whispered secrets in the dark.
6Our senators must act now to protect the environmentcall your representative today!
7Did you know that honey has been found in ancient tombs and can remain unspoiled for thousands of years?
8In a shocking turn of events, the tiny village of Brookside discovered gold in its creek, sparking a rush of prospectors.
9Picture yourself on a tropical beach, the sun warming your skin as gentle waves caress the shore. Book your getaway now!
10She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks as the mischievous cat tiptoed across the keyboard.
11Although some argue that public transit is expensive, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs.
12The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, marking the American colonies' separation from Britain.
13The painter's vibrant strokes dance across the canvas, weaving a visual melody of emotions.
14Why did the scarecrow become a successful politician? Because he was outstanding in his field.
15Many believe chocolate can boost mood, but scientific studies show that biochemical processes play the larger role.
16Analyze the following passage: This allegory challenges societal norms through satire, urging readers to question authority while delighting in absurdity. What is the primary purpose?
Learning Goals

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Text Purposes -

    Recognize whether a passage aims to inform, entertain, or persuade by examining its central message and intended audience.

  2. Analyze Writing Techniques -

    Spot key language features and stylistic choices that reveal what is the purpose of the text in each example.

  3. Apply Purpose Classification -

    Practice classifying new passages to determine what is the purpose of this text with confidence and precision.

  4. Differentiate Purpose Categories -

    Distinguish between informational, persuasive, and entertaining texts by comparing tone, structure, and content strategy.

  5. Evaluate Authorial Intent -

    Assess a writer's goals and justify why the purpose of the text is to inform, entertain, or persuade.

  6. Reinforce Reading Skills -

    Build critical comprehension strategies to accurately infer the purpose of the text across various writing styles.

Study Guide

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding the Three Main Purposes -

    Every text generally aims to inform, entertain, or persuade - known by the mnemonic PIE (Persuade, Inform, Entertain). According to Purdue OWL, identifying "what is the purpose of this text" helps you predict structure and tone before reading. For example, "the purpose of the text is" to inform when it presents statistics or factual data.

  2. Spotting Signal Words and Phrases -

    Writers drop cue words like "research shows" or "scientists discovered" for informative texts, "you should" or "buy now" for persuasive ones, and playful descriptors or jokes for entertaining pieces. The University of North Carolina Writing Center highlights that these markers guide you toward the author's intent. Try the "Stats=Facts" trick for inform, "You=Action" for persuade, and "LOL=Fun" for entertain.

  3. Analyzing Text Structure -

    Informative texts often use clear headings, bullet lists, and definitions, while persuasive texts include calls to action or rhetorical questions, and entertaining texts employ narrative arcs and vivid imagery. This framework aligns with guidelines from the International Literacy Association. Sketch a quick outline of any passage to see if it follows expository, argumentative, or storytelling patterns.

  4. Evaluating Tone and Rhetorical Appeals -

    Check if the tone is formal/objective (inform), emotional/urgent (persuade), or lighthearted/creative (entertain). Aristotle's appeals - logos for inform, pathos for persuade, and ethos for credibility - offer a solid lens for analysis. Remember LOP (Logos, Pathos, Ethos) to keep your evaluation structured and confident.

  5. Applying and Reflecting with Practice Passages -

    Sharpen your skill by labeling sample texts: a recipe (inform), a comic strip (entertain), or a charity appeal (persuade). Tools like Flesch-Kincaid scores from ReadWriteThink help verify whether complexity matches purpose. Regular practice cements your ability to answer "what is the purpose of this text?" quickly and accurately.

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Updated Feb 24, 2026