Why does Rachel tell about her little brother?

Analyze and Evaluate Information and Ideas · TELPAS Grades 4–5 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 letter. Then answer the questions.

Letter: A Water Fountain for the Park

Dear Parks Department,

My name is Rachel Harris, and I am in fourth grade at Pine Creek Elementary. I am writing to ask you to put a water fountain in Westside Park.

My friends and I play soccer at Westside Park almost every afternoon. In the summer, it is often more than 95 degrees outside. The closest place to get water is a store three blocks away. Last week, my little brother got so hot and thirsty that we had to stop our game and walk him home.

A water fountain would help everyone who uses the park, not just kids. Every day I see people walking their dogs, grandparents taking walks, and families having picnics. Some fountains even have a small bowl at the bottom for dogs.

I know a water fountain costs money. My class would be glad to hold a car wash to help pay for it.

Thank you for reading my letter. I hope you will think about my idea.

Sincerely, Amira Harris

The question

Choose the best answer.

Why does Rachel tell about her little brother?

to explain why her brother quit soccer
to show that the store was closed
to show why the park needs water nearbyCorrect answer
to ask the Parks Department for help at home

Why “to show why the park needs water nearby” is correct

Rachel uses a real event as evidence for her request. Her brother got so hot and thirsty that they had to stop playing, which shows what happens when there is no water close by. Recognizing a story used as a reason in a persuasive letter is an author's-purpose skill.

Why the other answers are wrong

to explain why her brother quit soccer — Nothing says he quit; they stopped one game to take him home.
to show that the store was closed — The store is far away, not closed.
to ask the Parks Department for help at home — She asks for a fountain in the park, not help at home.

Practice more of this

More reading practice for Grades 4–5, or see the TELPAS practice test for 4th and 5th 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.