Question

Read the excerpt from Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue.”

I know this for a fact, because when I was growing up, my mother’s “limited” English limited my perception of her. I was ashamed of her English. I believed that her English reflected the quality of what she had to say. That is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect.

What is the purpose of this text?
to inform readers based on Tan’s childhood experience
to persuade readers to speak a different way
to inform readers of Tan’s mother’s feelings
to persuade readers that Tan’s mother is intelligent

Answer 1

to inform readers based on Tan’s childhood experience

The passage describes Tan’s personal feelings and perception of her mother’s “limited” English while growing up, so its purpose is to inform readers about that experience.