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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

What Is the Purpose of This Text? Test Yourself Now

Think you can spot what the purpose of the text is? Dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz illustration on dark blue background with question mark and icons for inform, entertain, persuade

This quiz helps you figure out the purpose of each text - inform, entertain, or persuade. Read short passages and choose the purpose; use tone and word choice as clues, build skill fast, and prep for class or tests. For more, try our extra practice .

Our annual report shows that company profits have increased by 20% over the past year.
To inform
To entertain
To instruct
To persuade
This passage simply presents factual financial data without trying to amuse or convince the reader. Its primary purpose is to convey information about company performance. Informative texts often use statistics and clear statements. .
Don't miss out: limited-time sale! Act now and save 50% on all items!
To persuade
To instruct
To entertain
To inform
This sentence urges the reader to take action by spotlighting a sale and creating urgency. It uses persuasive language like limited-time and Act now to influence behavior. The goal is to convince someone to buy. .
Knock, knock. Whos there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce in, its cold out here!
To entertain
To instruct
To inform
To persuade
This passage is a classic joke that aims to provoke laughter through wordplay. It does not provide factual information nor persuade the audience to take action. Its sole purpose is amusement. .
Tomorrows high will reach 75F, with sunny skies and a light breeze from the northwest.
To entertain
To instruct
To persuade
To inform
A weather forecast conveys data about upcoming conditions without entertaining or persuading. It simply shares facts to keep the audience informed. Informative texts are often straightforward like this one. .
She picked up the wand, her heart racing, as the ancient spellbook whispered secrets in the dark.
To instruct
To inform
To persuade
To entertain
This dramatic excerpt is designed to engage the readers imagination and emotions. It uses vivid imagery and suspense to entertain. The authors goal is storytelling rather than conveying facts or urging action. .
Our senators must act now to protect the environmentcall your representative today!
To persuade
To entertain
To instruct
To inform
This call to action directly urges the audience to contact lawmakers, using emotional appeal and imperative verbs. Its intent is to influence public behavior and policy decisions. Persuasive texts often include direct appeals and audience engagement. .
Did you know that honey has been found in ancient tombs and can remain unspoiled for thousands of years?
To persuade
To entertain
To instruct
To inform
This sentence provides a surprising fact about honeys longevity. It shares knowledge without seeking to amuse or influence a decision. Educational and factual content like this is classified as informative. .
In a shocking turn of events, the tiny village of Brookside discovered gold in its creek, sparking a rush of prospectors.
To persuade
To inform
To instruct
To entertain
This news-style sentence conveys unexpected information as a report of an event. It focuses on facts and developments rather than trying to amuse or influence opinions. News articles primarily serve to inform readers. .
Picture yourself on a tropical beach, the sun warming your skin as gentle waves caress the shore. Book your getaway now!
To entertain
To persuade
To instruct
To inform
This travel ad uses vivid imagery to entice the audience and a direct call to action to book a vacation. It aims to influence decisions by appealing to desires. Persuasive writing often combines sensory details with motivational prompts. .
She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks as the mischievous cat tiptoed across the keyboard.
To instruct
To entertain
To inform
To persuade
This vivid scene is designed to amuse the reader with a humorous image of a cats antics. It does not present facts for learning nor persuade the reader to act. Its main goal is to entertain. .
Although some argue that public transit is expensive, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs.
To instruct
To entertain
To inform
To persuade
This statement takes a stance on a policy issue and presents an argument aimed at convincing the audience. It weighs costs against benefits to support its position. These are hallmarks of persuasive texts. .
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, marking the American colonies' separation from Britain.
To instruct
To entertain
To inform
To persuade
This sentence conveys a historical fact without emotional appeal or persuasive intent. It aims purely to share knowledge of an important event. Reporting facts in this way serves an informative purpose. .
The painter's vibrant strokes dance across the canvas, weaving a visual melody of emotions.
To instruct
To inform
To entertain
To persuade
This evocative description uses poetic language to engage the reader's senses and emotions. Its goal is to create an aesthetic experience rather than convey facts or arguments. Such language is characteristic of entertaining or artistic writing. .
Why did the scarecrow become a successful politician? Because he was outstanding in his field.
To instruct
To entertain
To inform
To persuade
This is a pun-based joke that uses wordplay to amuse the audience. It includes a play on words (outstanding in his field) to create humor. Its intent is solely to entertain. .
Many believe chocolate can boost mood, but scientific studies show that biochemical processes play the larger role.
To entertain
To instruct
To persuade
To inform
This statement presents research findings and clarifies misconceptions about chocolate and mood. It aims to share accurate scientific information rather than tell a story or convince readers to act. Such clarity and factual reporting define informative writing. .
Analyze the following passage: This allegory challenges societal norms through satire, urging readers to question authority while delighting in absurdity. What is the primary purpose?
To entertain
To instruct
To persuade
To inform
The passage describes a satirical allegory whose main goal is to amuse while critiquing norms. Satires purpose is primarily entertainment through humor and irony. Although it may provoke thought, its form and tone aim to entertain. .
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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.

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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