Lexington and Concord
The majority of history scholars agree that the open warfare portion of the American War for Independence began in two small Massachusetts towns: Lexington and Concord. To stop the British from discovering military supplies hidden in Concord, the American Minutemen attempted to stall or halt the British Regulars in Lexington Common.
While the opposing factions were facing off against one another, a shot was fired from an unknown source, causing hostilities to break into violence. After the skirmish at Lexington settled, multiple people from both sides lay dead and the British continued their way toward Concord.
Which of the following is the purpose of the passage?
A.
To entertain
B.
To inform
C.
To persuade
D.
To express
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. To inform.
Explanation:
The passage about the battles of Lexington and Concord primarily aims to inform readers about the events that marked the beginning of the American War for Independence. The passage presents a factual account of the skirmishes that took place in the small Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord, highlighting the actions of the American Minutemen and British Regulars. The description is straightforward and objective, focusing on relaying information rather than persuading, entertaining, or expressing personal opinions.
Let’s analyze the options in detail:
- A. To entertain:
- This choice is incorrect because the passage does not use storytelling techniques meant to amuse or engage the reader in a narrative sense. The content is historical and factual, lacking the elements of humor, drama, or suspense that are typical in an entertaining passage.
- B. To inform:
- This is the correct answer. The passage provides historical information about the start of open warfare in the American Revolution. It details the events at Lexington and Concord, explaining the significance of these encounters in the broader context of the war. The author’s goal is to educate the reader about a specific historical event.
- C. To persuade:
- This choice is incorrect because the passage does not attempt to convince the reader to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. There is no argument presented, nor is there any appeal to emotions, values, or logic that would be characteristic of persuasive writing.
- D. To express:
- This choice is also incorrect. The passage does not convey the author’s personal feelings, reflections, or opinions. It is purely informational, without any subjective expression.
In summary, the passage’s clear and factual presentation of historical events indicates that its primary purpose is to inform. The author aims to provide readers with knowledge about the early skirmishes of the American Revolution, making “To inform” the most appropriate answer.