Question

Which best describes the author’s purpose in the excerpt you read from A Story of the Red Cross?

to inform readers about dangers of the sea, and to persuade them not to live on an island
to inform readers about conditions in Galveston after the hurricane, and to persuade them that the Red Cross was heroic
to inform readers about the truth of the damage, and to persuade them that the Red Cross was not needed
to inform readers about the mysterious parts of Barton’s story, and to persuade them that she was not needed

Answer 1

The best choice is the second one: to inform readers about conditions in Galveston after the hurricane, and to persuade them that the Red Cross was heroic — the excerpt describes the disaster and emphasizes the Red Cross’s relief work.