When authors inform you of something, they give you information or teach you to do or make something. How can you tell if a text was written mainly to inform? Here’s a hint: the author will stick mostly to facts.

Question

Which of the following passages was written mainly to inform?

A

"In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day...a boy was born to a poor family who did not want him. On the same day another English child was born to a rich family of the name of Tudor, who did want him. All England wanted him too."

B

There are many different kinds of octopuses. Some are as small as 2 inches while some can grow as big as 18 feet. Octopuses have thousands of suckers on their arms that they use to taste and feel.

C

"When night is almost done,/ And sunrise grows so near/ That we can touch the spaces,/ It's time to smooth the hair/ And get the dimples ready,/ And wonder we could care/ For that old faded midnight/ That frightened but an hour."

D

"Once upon a time there lived a queen who had been the mother of a great many children, and of them all only one daughter was left. But then she was worth at least a thousand. Her mother...was so terribly afraid of losing her that she quite spoiled her, and never tried to correct any of her faults."

Answer 1

The passage that was written mainly to inform is:

B

"There are many different kinds of octopuses. Some are as small as 2 inches while some can grow as big as 18 feet. Octopuses have thousands of suckers on their arms that they use to taste and feel."

This passage provides factual information about octopuses, including their sizes and physical characteristics, which fits the purpose of informing the reader. The other passages contain narrative elements, emotions, and storytelling elements that are not primarily focused on providing information.