Craft and StructureEasy–MediumPurpose of a passage describing a device
Craft and Structure practice question
A storm glass is a sealed tube of liquid in which crystals form and dissolve. Sailors once read the crystals as a forecast — clear liquid for fair weather, cloudy for rain — though the glass in fact responds to temperature rather than to the weather to come.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
- A. To describe a device and explain why its supposed forecasting power was mistaken.Correct
- B. To argue that sailors were foolish.
- C. To explain how to make a storm glass.
- D. To compare storm glasses with barometers.
Answer: A. To describe a device and explain why its supposed forecasting power was mistaken.
What it is, how it was read, and why the reading was wrong.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. To argue that sailors were foolish.
- The tone is descriptive, not mocking.
- C. To explain how to make a storm glass.
- No instructions are given.
- D. To compare storm glasses with barometers.
- No barometer is mentioned.
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