Informational Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What is the main purpose of informational writing?
A) To persuade the reader to agree
B) To entertain with a funny story
C) To inform or explain a topic with facts
D) To express personal feelings
Informational writing exists to teach the reader about a topic using facts, not to entertain or persuade like other types of writing.
2. If the audience is second graders, what should the writer do?
A) Use long scientific words
B) Write in simple, clear language
C) Include only opinions
D) Skip the topic sentence
Second graders are young readers, so the writer needs to use simple, clear language they can understand instead of big or complex words.
3. Which sentence is written for an informational purpose rather than a persuasive one?
A) Everyone must recycle to save the planet.
B) You should always eat vegetables at every meal.
C) The rainforest receives over 80 inches of rain each year.
D) Solar energy is the best choice for all families.
"The rainforest receives over 80 inches of rain each year" states a measurable fact without trying to convince the reader of anything, making it purely informational.
4. Why should a writer think about the audience before writing?
A) So they can copy someone else's work
B) So they can choose the right words and details for the reader
C) So they can make the paragraph shorter
D) So they can add more opinions
Thinking about the audience helps the writer pick the right words and level of detail, because what works for a kindergartner would be too simple for a fifth grader.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The audience is the group of people who will read the writing.
The audience is the group of people who will read the writing, and knowing who they are helps the writer choose the best tone and vocabulary.
2. A writer's purpose is the reason for writing, such as to inform or persuade.
A writer's purpose is the reason behind the writing -- for informational text, the purpose is to teach the reader facts about a topic.
3. Using simpler vocabulary helps younger readers understand informational text.
Younger readers have a smaller vocabulary, so using simpler words ensures they can understand the information without struggling.
4. An informational article in a science magazine is written to inform , not to entertain.
A science magazine article aims to inform readers with facts and discoveries, unlike a story that is written to entertain.
5. A writer adjusts the level of detail based on what the audience already knows.
A writer adjusts the level of detail depending on what the audience already knows -- experts need less background, while beginners need more.