Question

The Underground Railroad was a secret organization that helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The Northern states were free states, and slaves were free once they arrived in the North. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters.

What was the author's purpose in writing this paragraph?
A.
to inform the reader about the Underground Railroad
B.
to persuade the reader to free people from injustice
C.
to entertain the reader with a story of historical secrets
D.
to describe the secret signals used by the station masters

Answer 1

A. to inform the reader about the Underground Railroad

The paragraph gives factual information about what the Underground Railroad was, who helped slaves escape, and that secret codes were used — it's presenting facts, not persuading, entertaining, or giving detailed descriptions of the signals.