What type of question seeks to determine the author's purpose in a passage?

• A. A factual recall question
• B. A tone question
• C. A main idea question
• D. An inference question

Answer: (C)

The choice that determines the author's purpose in a passage is closely associated with identifying the main idea. Understanding the author's purpose involves grasping what the author intends to convey to the reader, which aligns with the central theme or primary argument presented in the text.

When addressing a main idea question, readers are prompted to synthesize information from the passage to discern not only what the author is stating but also to comprehend the overall context and significance of the message. This requires an active engagement with the text, which helps clarify why the author has crafted their message as they did, thus illuminating their purpose.

In contrast, factual recall questions focus on specific details or data presented in the passage, while tone questions assess the author's emotional stance or attitude towards the subject matter. Inference questions require readers to draw conclusions based on implicit information rather than overt statements. While all these types of questions contribute to a comprehensive understanding of a passage, they do not specifically target the author's purpose in the same way that a main idea question does.