Question 115·Easy·Text Structure and Purpose
The following text is from a personal narrative.
When I unfold the quilt, a hush falls over the room. Each square holds a story: the blue corner from a worn school dress, the sun-yellow strip from my mother’s apron. My grandmother’s stitches run steady as a river. I trace them with my finger and thread my needle. Tomorrow I will add my own square, bright red, to the open edge.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
For main-purpose questions, first summarize in your own words what the passage is mostly doing (for example, telling a story, explaining how to do something, or arguing a point). Then quickly check the tone (positive, negative, neutral) and see which answer choice matches both your summary and the tone. Eliminate choices that describe a different type of writing (like “argue” or “explain” when the passage is a personal memory) or that don’t fit the narrator’s attitude, and choose the option that best captures the overall goal of the passage, not just a small detail.
Hints
Check the last sentence
Re-read the final sentence: what does the narrator say they will do tomorrow, and how does that relate to what has already been done in the quilt?
Consider the tone toward the grandmother
Ask yourself: does the narrator sound angry, neutral, admiring, or respectful toward their grandmother’s stitches? This can help you rule out some choices.
Ask what the passage is mainly doing, not just mentioning
Is the passage giving step-by-step instructions, making a complaint, trying to convince you of something, or describing a personal moment and decision? Focus on the overall purpose, not just single details.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the narrator is describing
Read the passage and note the main subject. The narrator unfolds a quilt and observes its details: each square has a story, and the fabric pieces come from familiar items like a school dress and a mother’s apron. The focus is on the quilt and what it represents, not on a general topic like shopping or crafting.
Notice the emotional tone and relationships
Pay attention to the feelings in the passage. Words and phrases like “a hush falls over the room,” “each square holds a story,” and “my grandmother’s stitches run steady as a river” show admiration, affection, and respect. The narrator is not angry or critical; instead, they seem moved and connected to their family through the quilt.
Focus on the narrator’s final action
Look closely at the last lines: “I trace them with my finger and thread my needle. Tomorrow I will add my own square, bright red, to the open edge.” This shows the narrator is preparing to join in the same activity that created the quilt before—adding another square to something made by earlier family members. The main purpose is to show that the narrator plans to continue what their family, especially their grandmother, has been doing, so the best answer is A) To express the narrator’s intention to carry on a family tradition.