Reading Comprehension Skills & Strategies - Level 3

Na m e : ___ Date: _

Directions: Read each paragraph. Then decide if the author’s purpose is to

entertain, inform, or persuade.

Do you know what these words mean? Entertain

means for fun. Inform means to teach. Persuade

means to change your opinion.

1. The Woodland Indians were known for making pottery from clay. They
   decorated them with paints they made by grinding vegetables or minerals.
   They used a rabbit’s tail for a brush. Then, they baked the pots in either a
   charcoal oven or over burning sticks of wood, so they wouldn’t crack.

This paragraph is meant to _________________________ the reader.

2. In social studies today, we read about the Woodland Indians. Our entire
   class made charms to protect themselves against diseases, enemies, and evil
   spirits, just like the Woodland Indians used to. As a class, we decided we
   didn’t want to be sick or haunted, so we gathered many shells and animal
   teeth. Do you want me to make a charm for you, too?

This paragraph is meant to __________________________ the reader.

3. One time an Indian bragged about being the “Master of Creation”. The
   other Woodland Indian thought he was lying, so he challenged the Master
   of Creation to a strength test. His test was to make the Earth shake. The
   Master of Creation made a mountain move, and it accidentally hit the
   other Indian in the face! From that day on,
   the hurt Indian was known as “Old
   Broken Nose”.

This paragraph is meant to

________________________ the reader.