Question 91·Easy·Text Structure and Purpose
The town library’s new summer reading initiative, "Books Without Borders," sets a collective goal: if local residents log 10,000 pages read by August, a community sponsor will fund a mobile book van for rural neighborhoods. The program invites readers of all ages to track pages online, recommends titles translated from world languages, and hosts weekly discussions in the library garden. By linking page counts to a tangible reward, the organizers aim to spark enthusiasm for diverse literature while expanding access to books beyond the library’s walls.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
For main-purpose questions, first read the entire passage, then briefly summarize what it is mostly doing in one simple sentence (for example, “describing a program that does X in order to achieve Y”). Next, eliminate any answer choices that focus on only one small detail, or that bring in ideas the passage never mentions (like past events or detailed explanations). Finally, choose the option that best matches your summary of the whole text, paying special attention to the first and last sentences, which often state the core purpose.
Hints
Locate key purpose clues
Look closely at the first and last sentences—these often tell you why a program exists or what the author wants to emphasize.
Summarize before choosing
In one short sentence, say what the entire paragraph is mainly doing. Then look for the choice that best matches that summary, not just one detail you remember.
Watch for overly narrow answers
Ask yourself: does this answer describe the whole program and its goal, or just one small aspect like translated books or transportation details?
Check for ideas not in the text
Eliminate any choice that mentions something the passage never talks about, such as comparisons with older programs or long explanations that aren’t actually given.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what a "main purpose" question wants
This question asks for the main purpose of the text, which means:
- Why the author wrote the whole paragraph
- The overall point, not a small detail
So you need an answer that matches the central idea of the entire description, not just one sentence or phrase.
Summarize the passage in your own words
Go sentence by sentence and then combine:
- First sentence: The library launches "Books Without Borders" with a goal: if residents read 10,000 pages, a sponsor will fund a mobile book van for rural neighborhoods.
- Second sentence: It lists features of the program: tracking pages online, recommending translated books, and hosting weekly discussions.
- Third sentence: It explains the aim: by connecting page counts to a clear reward, they want to spark enthusiasm for diverse literature and expand access to books beyond the library.
Putting this together: the passage explains a program where community reading participation (pages logged) is directly tied to earning a mobile book van, with the broader aim of increasing excitement about diverse books and access to them.
Eliminate choices that don’t match the whole passage
Now check each option against your summary:
- Choice A focuses on how the program will transport books, but the passage does not describe routes, schedules, or logistics—it only says a van will be funded.
- Choice C focuses on explaining why translated literature is good, but the passage just mentions recommending translated titles; it doesn’t really argue why they broaden perspectives.
- Choice D talks about comparing this initiative with past programs, but the passage never mentions any past programs or comparisons.
All three are too narrow or bring in ideas that are not the central focus of the text.
Match the remaining choice to the central idea
The remaining choice is the only one that captures the main idea you summarized: the program connects how much people read (pages logged) with a reward (funding a mobile book van). The passage is built around that connection and its purpose, so the best answer is: “To highlight the connection between reading participation and the funding of a mobile book van.”