Author's Purpose Assessment 6.R.2.3

What is the primary purpose of the author in writing this excerpt?

• To entertain readers with a dramatic story about the Titanic

• To inform readers about the changes made after the Titanic disaster

• To persuade readers that the Titanic was unsinkable

• To describe the beauty of the Titanic's interior design

Why does the author mention Lady Cosmo Duff Gordon's comment about the nightdress?

• To show the wealth of first-class passengers

• To highlight that the concerns of some survivors were not about the safety of other passengers

• To provide comic relief in a serious narrative

• To emphasize the loss of personal belongings can make people upset

The author's purpose in discussing the International Ice Patrol is to:

• Criticize the government's slow response

• Explain a positive safety change resulting from the disaster

• Compare it to modern-day coast guard operations

• Highlight the dangers of icebergs in shipping lanes

What is the author's intent in mentioning the outdated safety regulations?

• To praise the White Star Line's thoughtfulness

• To explain why there weren't enough lifeboats

• To compare the Titanic to modern ships

• To discuss the complexity of maritime laws

The author includes information about loss of life in different classes to:

• Demonstrate the superiority of first-class accommodations

• Explain why more men survived than women

• show the unequal treatment of passengers based on class

• Prove that the "women and children first" policy was effective

Why does the author mention Lawrence Beesley's memory of the officer stopping two ladies from 2nd class?

• To show that all passengers were treated equally

• To highlight the confusion during the evacuation

• To illustrate the separation between passenger classes

• To prove that second-class passengers had their own lifeboats

The author's purpose in discussing the press coverage of Third Class passengers is to:

• Praise the thorough reporting of the New York Times

• Highlight the press coverage towards upper classes was not equal to that of Third Class

• Explain why Third Class passengers didn't have interesting stories

• Discuss the overall quality of journalism in the early 1900s

What is the author's intent in mentioning the congressional investigation?

• To praise the thoroughness of the investigation

• To highlight the humorous aspects of the inquiry

• To criticize the lack of attention given to Third Class passengers

• To explain the causes of the Titanic's sinking

The author's purpose in mentioning Mr. W. D. Harbinson and Lord Mersey's report is to:

• Praise the British Court of Enquiry for its fairness

• Highlight the thorough investigation of Third Class experiences

• Criticize the lack of Third Class representation in the inquiry

• Explain why discrimination was difficult to prove

Overall, the author's main purpose in this excerpt is to:

• Entertain readers with interesting facts about the Titanic

• Argue that the Titanic disaster was entirely preventable

• Highlight the changes in passenger ships that resulted after the sinking of the Titanic

• Explain the technical reasons for the sinking of the Titanic