PARCC Author's Purpose Practice Questions

1. The author's primary purpose in this passage is to...

a. Argue that Black History Month should not be so commercial.

b. Argue that Black History Month should be abolished.

c. Argue that Black History Month should be maintained.

d. Suggest that African-American history should be taught in two months rather than just one.

e. Argue that African-American history is not part of mainstream curriculum.

Correct! Wrong!

1. B: The entire passage makes the argument that Black History Month should be abolished, offering various reasons why this is the best course of action, as in answer choice B. Each of the other answer choices offers a method of changing or maintaining the existing celebration of Black History Month, rather than abolishing it. Therefore, they are incorrect.