Question 46·Easy·Text Structure and Purpose
First published in 1896, Liliʻuokalani’s memoir Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen offers a personal account by the last reigning monarch of Hawaiʻi. In the book, Liliʻuokalani recounts the political events leading to the islands’ 1893 overthrow by U.S.-backed forces, but she also chronicles Hawaiian customs, songs, and genealogies. By combining political narrative with cultural preservation, Liliʻuokalani sought both to defend Hawaiian sovereignty and to ensure that future readers would understand the islands’ history from a Hawaiian perspective.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
For main-purpose questions, first quickly summarize the whole passage in your own words, paying special attention to the first and last sentences, which often frame the main idea. Then scan the middle for repeated or contrasted ideas that support that summary. When you look at the answer choices, eliminate any that (1) focus on a detail mentioned only once, (2) introduce topics the passage never discusses (like reactions, criticisms, or processes), or (3) describe a strong opinion when the passage is neutral. Choose the option that best captures what the passage is mostly doing, not just something it mentions.
Hints
Think about the big picture
Ask yourself: if you had to explain this entire paragraph in one sentence to a friend, what would you say it is mainly about?
Use the contrast in the middle of the paragraph
Focus on the part that says Liliʻuokalani "recounts the political events" but also does something else. How does that "but also" help show what the paragraph is emphasizing?
Reread the final sentence
The last sentence starts with "By combining..." What does it say is being combined, and how does that relate to the description of the memoir in the earlier sentences?
Eliminate choices that bring in new topics
Check each option and ask: does the paragraph actually talk about this topic (like how people reacted, whether she exaggerated, or details of publishing), or is that idea not really in the text?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the passage is mostly doing
Read the passage and ask: overall, is the author telling a story, giving an opinion, or describing something? Here, the author is describing Liliʻuokalani’s memoir—what it is about and what it aims to do.
Notice the two main kinds of content in the memoir
In the middle of the passage, the author says Liliʻuokalani "recounts the political events" of the overthrow, but she also chronicles Hawaiian customs, songs, and genealogies. This clearly sets up two strands: political history and cultural material.
Pay attention to the summary sentence
The last sentence begins with "By combining political narrative with cultural preservation" and then explains her goals. That phrase restates the key idea: the memoir mixes political and cultural content.
Match the answer choice to this main focus
The best answer will describe the purpose of this paragraph: to explain that Liliʻuokalani’s memoir combines political history with cultural documentation and why that matters. Choice B does exactly this, so B) To highlight how Liliʻuokalani’s memoir blends political history with cultural documentation is correct.