Text Structure and Purpose sample question 1

To convey Iris's reluctance to confront the contents of the letter.

Text Structure and Purpose sample question 2

It presents a criticism of video games and then offers reasons to question it.

Text Structure and Purpose sample question 3

To highlight the abundance and importance of microorganisms in soil.

Text Structure and Purpose sample question 4

It lists specific signs of activity at night and then draws a broader conclusion.

Text Structure and Purpose sample question 5

To explain why Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

SAT · Reading and Writing · Craft and Structure

Text Structure and Purpose

Text Structure and Purpose is part of Craft and Structure in the SAT Reading and Writing section. The questions below are written in the style of the real test, each with the answer and a worked explanation.

Question types you will see here include overall structure of the text, function of the underlined sentence, main purpose of the text and role of a detail in a narrative.

Common traps: right content with reversed order; describes a structure the text lacks (e.g., a rebuttal); too general to distinguish this text.

Sample questions

Text Structure and Purpose
The following text is adapted from an original novel. The letter lay unopened on the table for three days. Iris walked past it on her way to work, on her way to bed, on her way to the kitchen for a glass of water she did not want. On the fourth morning, she picked it up, turned it over twice, and put it back down.
Question 1
Which choice best describes the main purpose of the text?
- A.
  To describe Iris's daily work routine in detail.
- B.
  To convey Iris's reluctance to confront the contents of the letter.
- C.
  To show that Iris has forgotten about the letter.
- D.
  To explain who sent the letter.
Answer: B. To convey Iris's reluctance to confront the contents of the letter.
Iris repeatedly passes the letter and finally handles it without opening it, conveying her reluctance to face what it says.
Question 2
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
- A.
  It describes the history of chess.
- B.
  It argues that chess is a passive activity.
- C.
  It presents a criticism of video games and then offers reasons to question it.
- D.
  It lists the most popular video games.
Answer: C. It presents a criticism of video games and then offers reasons to question it.
The text introduces the criticism that games are passive and then argues that games demand planning and adaptation.
Question 3
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
- A.
  To highlight the abundance and importance of microorganisms in soil.
- B.
  To compare the human population with that of plants.
- C.
  To describe how to measure soil in teaspoons.
- D.
  To argue that soil should be sterilized.
Answer: A. To highlight the abundance and importance of microorganisms in soil.
The text emphasizes how many microorganisms soil contains and the role they play in recycling nutrients.
Question 4
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
- A.
  It lists specific signs of activity at night and then draws a broader conclusion.
- B.
  It argues that cities should be quieter.
- C.
  It describes a morning and then an evening.
- D.
  It tells a story about a baker's day.
Answer: A. It lists specific signs of activity at night and then draws a broader conclusion.
The poem lists a window, a siren, and a radio, then concludes that "something is awake, / keeping watch for all of us."
Question 5
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
- A.
  To explain why Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
- B.
  To argue that Pluto should be called a planet again.
- C.
  To list all the dwarf planets.
- D.
  To describe the discovery of Pluto.
Answer: A. To explain why Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
The text explains the 2006 definition and why Pluto failed to meet it.

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