Daily Reading Practice

Day 7 of 10
Grade 6 ELA | Author's Purpose | Part A/Part B Format
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.2.3 - Analyze author's purpose in multiple accounts of the same event or topic.
IXL Skills: Identify author's purpose; Analyze how purpose affects presentation
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Directions: Read the two passages below carefully. Both discuss the same topic but were written by different authors with different purposes. Then answer the questions that follow.
Two Views on School Start Times

Passage A: From a School District Newsletter

Beginning next fall, Riverside Middle School will shift to an 8:45 AM start time, thirty minutes later than our current schedule. This change follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which notes that adolescents require 8-10 hours of sleep and have biological sleep cycles that make early morning learning challenging. Studies show that later start times are associated with improved attendance, reduced tardiness, and better academic performance. We understand this adjustment may require families to modify their routines, and we are committed to providing resources to support this transition.

Passage B: From a Parent's Letter to the Editor

The school board's decision to push start times back to 8:45 AM completely ignores the realities working families face. My shift begins at 7:00 AM. Who will supervise my children for nearly two hours every morning? The district claims this benefits students, but what about the stress of parents scrambling for childcare? What about the teenagers who will now be unsupervised before school, potentially getting into trouble? The research the district cites sounds nice in theory, but it fails to account for the practical chaos this change will create in thousands of households. Before making decisions that affect our daily lives, the school board should have consulted the people who actually have to live with the consequences.

Questions 1-2: Author's Purpose Analysis
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
What is the PRIMARY purpose of Passage A?
A
To convince parents that their concerns about the schedule change are unfounded.
B
To inform families about the schedule change and explain the reasoning behind it.
C
To entertain readers with stories about sleepy students.
D
To criticize families who struggle with the new schedule.
Part B
Which sentence from Passage A BEST supports the answer to Part A?
A
"Beginning next fall, Riverside Middle School will shift to an 8:45 AM start time."
B
"Studies show that later start times are associated with improved attendance."
C
"We understand this adjustment may require families to modify their routines, and we are committed to providing resources."
D
"This change follows recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics."
Practice this skill on IXL: Identify the author's purpose
Questions 3-4: Comparing Author Purposes
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
How does the author's purpose in Passage B DIFFER from the purpose in Passage A?
A
Passage B aims to inform readers about scientific research on sleep.
B
Passage B aims to entertain readers with humorous complaints.
C
Passage B aims to support the school board's decision with additional evidence.
D
Passage B aims to persuade readers that the schedule change creates serious problems for families.
Part B
Which detail from Passage B BEST reveals the author's persuasive purpose?
A
The rhetorical questions asking "Who will supervise my children?" and "What about the stress?"
B
The mention that the author's shift begins at 7:00 AM.
C
The reference to "thousands of households" affected by the change.
D
The acknowledgment that research sounds nice "in theory."
Practice this skill on IXL: Compare information from two texts
FAST Success Kit | Grade 6 Daily Reading Practice | Day 7
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.2.3 | Lexile: 990L-1030L
Practice questions mirror Florida FAST assessment Part A/Part B format
Back to Daily Reading
← Previous: Day 6 - Text Features Next: Day 8 - Argument →

Answer Key (Teacher Reference)

Question 1 Part A: B - To inform families about the schedule change and explain the reasoning behind it.
The newsletter provides factual information and research to explain the decision.
Question 1 Part B: C - "We understand this adjustment may require families to modify their routines, and we are committed to providing resources."
This acknowledges concerns while maintaining an informative, supportive tone rather than argumentative.
Question 2 Part A: D - Passage B aims to persuade readers that the schedule change creates serious problems for families.
The letter uses emotional appeals and rhetorical questions to argue against the change.
Question 2 Part B: A - The rhetorical questions asking "Who will supervise my children?" and "What about the stress?"
Rhetorical questions are a persuasive technique designed to make readers agree with the author's viewpoint.