Text Structure & Purpose questions ask why the author wrote something — the function of a sentence, or the overall structure of a passage. You're analyzing the role text plays, not just what it says.
Key question to ask: "What job is this sentence doing for the paragraph?" Introducing? Countering? Illustrating? Qualifying a claim?
Common function words in answer choices
- Illustrate / exemplify — gives a concrete example of a general point.
- Qualify / concede — admits a limitation or exception to a claim.
- Contrast / counter — presents an opposing idea.
- Contextualize — provides background before the main point.
Strategy: Read the sentence in the context of the one before and after it. Function is always about relationship — a sentence never has a purpose in isolation.