Editorial Development: Bonnie Brook Communications

SKILL PRACTICE
Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
 1. What was the author’s main purpose for writing 
the passage?
A 
to persuade people to join conservation groups
B 
to explain how human activity has affected the 
brown pelican population
C 
to share an interesting story about brown 
pelicans
D 
to give information about pesticide use
 2. In the third paragraph, the author is mainly 
trying to help readers 
.
A 
understand how the brown pelican recovered
B 
find out why brown pelican eggs failed to thrive
C 
form an opinion about pesticides like DDT
D 
learn about the Gulf Coast area and its wildlife
 3. Why did the author include dates in the passage?
A 
to show how long pelicans have existed
B 
to indicate when the passage was written
C 
to give a history of environmental protection 
efforts
D 
to provide a timeline of the pelicans’ plight
 4. Which of these is the author likely to agree with?
A 
The country has wasted a lot of money saving 
pelicans.
B 
We need to bring back DDT to control the 
insect population.
C 
Thankfully, the pelicans are now thriving.
D 
There are now too many brown pelicans.
STRATEGY PRACTICE
What is a question you had while you read the passage? What is the answer?
 
Author’s Purpose
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10/31/12 7:34 AM

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© Evan-Moor Corp. • EMC 3458 • Daily Reading Comprehension 
91
Name: 
WEEK 14
DAY 3
READ THE PASSAGE
Think about the facts the author presents and the evidence that is used to support them.