Why did the author write this passage?
Analyze and Evaluate Information and Ideas · TELPAS Grade 2 reading. The correct answer, and the reasoning behind it.
Reporting category 3: make inferences, draw conclusions, and think about why the author wrote a text and how it is built.
Read the passage. Then answer the questions.
Armadillos
An armadillo is a small animal that lives in Texas. Its back is covered with hard plates, like a suit of armor. The armor helps keep it safe.
An armadillo has short legs and strong claws. It uses its claws to dig in the dirt. It digs to find bugs and worms to eat.
An armadillo cannot see very well, but it has a very good nose. It sniffs the ground to find its food. Armadillos often look for food at night.
The question
Choose the best answer.
Why did the author write this passage?
- To teach facts about armadillosCorrect answer
- To tell a funny story about a pet
- To tell people to dig in the dirt
- To show how to draw an armadillo
Why “To teach facts about armadillos” is correct
Every sentence gives a true fact about armadillos: their shell, claws, food and nose. There are no characters or story events. Asking "Is the author telling a story, teaching, or asking me to do something?" helps students answer author's purpose questions.
Why the other answers are wrong
- To tell a funny story about a pet — The passage has no characters and nothing funny happens. It is not a story.
- To tell people to dig in the dirt — The armadillo digs, but the author is not telling the reader to dig.
- To show how to draw an armadillo — There are no steps for drawing in the passage.
Practice more of this
More reading practice for Grade 2, or see the TELPAS practice test for 2nd grade.
This is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Texas Education Agency or the official TELPAS program. All questions here are original practice material written to match the published test design.