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Lesson: Critical Reading - 10t01

Practice Finding The Purpose

[Page 10 of 19]

Each of the following excerpts has the same topic and scope: The topic is juvenile delinquency, and the scope is the alleged increase in delinquency in New City. Yet each one has a very different purpose.

For each of the following excerpts, select the answer choice that best describes the author's purpose. In doing so, consider what passage elements suggest or signal the author's goal. Click Continue to see our responses.

Excerpt 1

Juvenile delinquency is once again on the rise. This year alone, New City saw a nine percent increase in the number of offenses committed by minors. Whereas one might expect this rise to be the result of an increasing number of juvenile offenders, it is in fact due to a dramatic increase in repeat offenses, brought on by lenient penalties and procedures. Family court has no provisions for dealing more harshly with repeat offenders.

  To explain To rebut To critique
  To advocate To compare or contrast To describe


The key here is the phrase "it is in fact due to." This author wants to explain the increase in juvenile crime. He may or may not go on to propose a remedy. But at least the explanation is provided.

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