GED Reasoning Through Language ArtsReading ComprehensionMedium
A student is researching the history of the American West. They encounter a passage that describes the harsh conditions faced by early settlers: 'The biting wind howled incessantly, scouring the sparse landscape and driving shards of ice against their flimsy shelters. Hunger gnawed at their bellies, a constant, dull ache, while the vast, unforgiving wilderness stretched endlessly, a silent, indifferent judge of their fragile existence.' Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in this passage?
- ATo criticize the settlers' decision to move West.
- BTo provide a neutral historical account of settlement patterns.
- CTo evoke empathy for the hardships endured by the settlers.
- DTo highlight the economic opportunities available in the West.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. To evoke empathy for the hardships endured by the settlers.
The passage uses vivid, emotional language ('biting wind,' 'howled incessantly,' 'shards of ice,' 'hunger gnawed,' 'unforgiving wilderness,' 'fragile existence') to paint a picture of suffering. This descriptive language is designed to make the reader feel the settlers' pain and struggles, thereby evoking empathy.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While it describes suffering, the tone is more sympathetic than critical of their choices.
- B. The language is highly emotional and descriptive, not neutral.
- D. The passage focuses on suffering and danger, not economic benefits.
Author's Purpose: Evoke Empathy
When an author uses descriptive language and emotional appeals to help the reader understand and share the feelings of a character or group, often to foster compassion or understanding.
- Uses vivid imagery and sensory details.
- Focuses on internal states, struggles, and emotional experiences.
- Aims to create an emotional connection between the reader and the subject.
Memory trick: Empathy is feeling 'E-motions' through the words.