Question

Read the excerpt from Enrique’s Journey.

Enrique’s head throbs. The sun reflects off the metal. It stings his eyes, and his skin tingles. It drains the little energy he has left. He moves around the car, chasing patches of shade. For a while, he stands on a narrow ledge at the end of a fuel tanker. It is just inches above the wheels. He cannot let himself fall asleep; one good shake of the train, and he would tumble off.

What is the author’s purpose in this biography excerpt?

to tell when and where the story takes place
to explain how difficult it is to travel in some climates
to show how dangerous it is to leave Honduras
to introduce the main character and describe his traits

Answer 1

to show how dangerous it is to leave Honduras

The passage emphasizes physical peril and risk—heat, exhaustion, and the constant danger of falling from a moving train—highlighting the hazardous conditions of Enrique’s journey.