Functional English reading tests often challenge students to determine the purpose of a given text. Questions about text purpose require readers to identify whether the text is informational, explanatory, or persuasive, which is crucial for understanding the author’s intent. However, these questions can be confusing, especially when the text contains mixed elements. This article aims to break down the difficulties, provide clear strategies, and offer examples to help students master this skill.
Understanding the Three Text Purposes
The first step to improving your reading skills is understanding the common purposes behind texts. In Functional English tests, texts typically fall into one of three categories:
- Informational texts: These texts provide facts, data, or instructions. Examples include news articles, recipes, and manuals.
- Explanatory texts: These are designed to explain concepts or processes, such as scientific articles or how-to guides.
- Persuasive texts: These aim to convince the reader to adopt a belief or take action, such as advertisements, opinion columns, or political speeches.
Distinguishing between these types requires close reading and attention to both language and structure. For example, persuasive texts often use emotive language and arguments, whereas informational texts rely on objective facts and neutral tone. Explanatory texts, on the other hand, often follow a step-by-step or cause-and-effect structure.
Strategies for Identifying Text Purpose
Determining a text’s purpose can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable. Here are some strategies to guide you:
- Look for key words: Words like “should,” “must,” or “recommend” often indicate persuasion, while neutral terms like “describe,” “analyze,” or “examine” may signal an explanatory purpose.
- Analyze the audience: Consider who the text is aimed at and why. Texts with a specific call to action are typically persuasive.
- Examine structure and tone: Informational texts are structured logically, explanatory texts may include diagrams or examples, and persuasive texts often contain rhetorical questions or direct appeals.
- Identify the main argument: Summarize the text in one sentence. If the sentence includes a call to action, it’s likely persuasive. If it revolves around explaining or describing, it’s explanatory or informational.
Using these strategies can help you confidently identify the text’s intent even under exam conditions.
Examples: Applying the Strategies
Let’s apply these strategies to three short examples:
Example 1: “Global warming poses a significant threat to the planet. We must reduce carbon emissions by adopting renewable energy sources. Governments and citizens alike need to act now to prevent further damage.”
Purpose: Persuasive. The text urges action to combat global warming and uses emotive language. Words like “must” and “need” highlight its argumentative tone.
Example 2: “The water cycle includes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, forms clouds, and eventually falls as rain. This cycle ensures the distribution of water across the planet.”
Purpose: Explanatory. The text explains the process of the water cycle step-by-step without trying to influence the reader’s beliefs or actions.
Example 3: “The Eiffel Tower, located in Paris, France, was constructed in 1889. Standing at 330 meters, it remains one of the most visited monuments in the world. It was initially criticized but is now a symbol of French culture.”
Purpose: Informational. This text provides factual information about the Eiffel Tower without expressing opinions or persuading the reader.
Final Tips for Functional English Reading Tests
To succeed in Functional English reading tests, practice is key. Here are some final tips to refine your skills:
- Read a variety of texts—news articles, essays, and advertisements—to familiarize yourself with different styles.
- Practice summarizing the main purpose of short passages to develop quick identification skills.
- Always double-check for mixed purposes. Some texts may combine elements, but one purpose is usually dominant.
- Take timed practice tests to simulate exam conditions and reduce stress.
By applying these tips and strategies, you can improve your ability to navigate Functional English tests confidently and accurately determine text purposes.
Conclusion: Understanding and identifying text purposes is a fundamental skill for Functional English reading tests. With a clear methodology, consistent practice, and awareness of textual cues, students can excel in these assessments and strengthen their overall reading comprehension abilities.
