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ASVAB · Author's Purpose and Tone

Read: 'You must maintain your weapon. Clean it after every use. Inspect it before every mission. A soldier who neglects their weapon neglects their life.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of this passage?

Correct answer

To instruct and warn — directive tone with escalating urgency to reinforce weapon maintenance discipline

  1. A To explain how weapons work
  2. B To instruct and warn — directive tone with escalating urgency to reinforce weapon maintenance discipline
  3. C To tell a story about a soldier
  4. D To describe military history

Why this is the answer

Purpose is revealed by structure and language choices. 'You must', 'Clean it', 'Inspect it' — imperative (command) verbs. 'A soldier who neglects... neglects their life' — a direct warning escalating to consequences. This is instructional/directive writing — giving orders and explaining why they matter. The purpose is behavioral: to change or reinforce the reader's actions. Academic, narrative, or historical purposes would use different structures and no imperative verbs.
Source: ASVAB PC, Purpose and Instruction

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