SAT OwlQuestion bank / Text Structure and Purpose
Yellowstone, established in 1872, is often called the world's first national park. The idea of setting aside land for public enjoyment caught on quickly. Within a few decades, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand had created national parks of their own. Today, more than one hundred countries have national parks.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
To describe the landscape and wildlife of Yellowstone
To explain why the U.S. Congress chose Yellowstone as the site of the first national park
To argue that more land should be set aside as national parks
To show how an idea that began with Yellowstone spread to other countries
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D
The text starts with Yellowstone as the first national park, then traces how other countries adopted the idea, ending with more than one hundred countries today. Its purpose is to show the idea spreading, choice D.
Choice A assumes a text about Yellowstone will describe the park, but this one never mentions its landscape or wildlife.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. The text never describes Yellowstone's landscape or wildlife. It focuses on how the national park idea spread.
- B. The text gives no reasons for choosing Yellowstone.
- C. The text reports how national parks spread without arguing for more of them.
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