Author's Purpose & Perspective

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Passage A: School Uniforms

1. Author's purpose

B. To persuade readers that school uniforms are a good idea - The author uses words like "excellent" and "should" to convince readers.

2. Author's perspective on uniforms

C. The author thinks uniforms are helpful and good - Positive words like "excellent," "helps," "reduces bullying" show the author supports uniforms.

3. Words showing positive perspective

Accept any two: "excellent," "helps," "equal," "reduces," "focusing" - all positive words showing the author views uniforms favorably.

4. Which sentence is an opinion?

C. "School uniforms are an excellent idea for students." - "Excellent" is an opinion word; not everyone would agree uniforms are excellent.

Passage B: Homework

5. Author's perspective on homework

B. The author thinks homework is unnecessary and harmful - Words like "waste," "stress," and "takes away" show a negative perspective.

6. Words showing negative perspective

Accept any two: "waste," "stress," "takes away," "reduce" - These negative words show the author views homework unfavorably.

Practice Worksheet Answers

Passage 1: The Amazing Public Library

1. Author's main purpose

C. To persuade readers to get a library card - The passage uses persuasive language ("should," "don't wait") to convince readers.

2. Author's perspective on libraries

B. Libraries are valuable and helpful resources - Words like "incredible," "wonderful," "friendly," and "eager" show a very positive perspective.

3. Words showing positive perspective

Accept any two: "incredible," "wonderful," "friendly," "eager," "discover" - All show the author views libraries positively.

Passage 2: How Hurricanes Form

4. Author's purpose

B. To inform readers about how hurricanes form - The passage presents scientific facts without trying to persuade or entertain.

5. Which sentence is a fact?

C. "Category 1 hurricanes have winds of 74-95 miles per hour." - This can be verified; it's a scientific measurement.

Passage 3: The Problem with Plastic Bags

6. Author's perspective on plastic bags

B. Plastic bags are harmful and should not be used - Words like "disaster," "harmful," "wasteful" show a strongly negative perspective.

7. Word showing negative perspective

C. "disaster" - This is a strongly negative word showing the author's negative view of plastic bags.

8. Which sentence is an opinion?

C. "Using plastic bags is wasteful and irresponsible." - "Wasteful" and "irresponsible" are judgments, not facts that can be proven.

Passage 4: The Day My Dog Became a Detective

9. Author's purpose

C. To entertain readers with a funny dog story - The story has humor (dog wearing detective hat, solving "mysteries"), characters, and dialogue.

10. How can you tell it's meant to entertain?

Accept answers mentioning: funny situations (dog wearing detective hat), humor (admitting to eating the cookie), dialogue, storytelling elements, or the silly premise of a dog being a detective.

Passage 5: Year-Round School

11. Author's perspective

C. The author presents both sides without taking a side - The passage gives arguments for ("supporters say") and against ("critics point out") without favoring either.

12. How is this different from Passage 3?

The author in Passage 5 presents both sides of the argument without taking a side (balanced/neutral), while the author in Passage 3 clearly has a strong negative perspective on plastic bags and uses persuasive language to convince readers. Passage 3's author has a clear opinion; Passage 5's author remains neutral.

FAST Practice Quiz Answers (School Gardens)

B. To persuade readers that schools should have gardens

The passage uses persuasive language throughout and ends with a call to action.

B. School gardens are valuable and should be in every school

The author uses very positive language and argues against critics of gardens.

B. "best" and "wonderful"

These are positive opinion words that show the author's favorable view.

C. "Research shows that students who work in school gardens perform better in science classes."

This references research that can be verified - it's a factual claim about studies.

C. "The excuses for not having a garden simply don't hold up."

This is the author's opinion - others might think the "excuses" are valid reasons.

B. To argue against opposing views and strengthen the argument

By addressing and dismissing counterarguments, the author makes the persuasion stronger.

B. the author thinks gardens have very large, important benefits

"Tremendous" means very large or great - it's a strong positive word.

B. strongly convinced that schools must have gardens

Words like "should," "deserve," "incredible," and "now!" show strong conviction.

Sample Answer: The author's perspective is that school gardens are extremely valuable and every school should have one. Word Choice 1: "best educational tools" shows the author believes gardens are superior learning resources. Word Choice 2: "tremendous benefits" shows the author thinks the advantages are very large and significant.

Sample Answer: If written to inform, the passage would remove opinion words like "best," "wonderful," and "incredible." It would not tell readers what they "should" do or call critics' points "excuses." An informational passage would present facts about gardens (what they grow, how they work) without trying to convince readers that schools need them. It would be neutral and present both benefits and challenges without favoring one side.

Scoring Guide

Assessment	Total Points	Proficient (70%+)	Focus Area if Struggling
Student Concept Worksheet	6 points	4+ correct	Review word choice analysis
Practice Worksheet	12 points	9+ correct	Practice fact vs. opinion
FAST Practice Quiz	10 points	7+ correct	Focus on finding text evidence

Common Errors: Confusing purpose with perspective; not recognizing opinion words in facts; missing subtle word choice clues; confusing "inform" with "persuade" when text includes facts used to support an opinion.

Answer Keys: Author's Purpose & Perspective

Scoring Guide