PURPOSE / CONCLUSION * Selections you read almost always have a purpose, the reason they were written. * They also end in a way that makes sense to the reader. The way a selection ends is called a conclusion.

* The purpose of a selection becomes clear as you read it. * The conclusion happens near the end of the selection.

Strategies that will help you understand purpose and conclusion.

1. To understand purpose, think about why the author wrote the selection. 2. The more you read, the clearer the purpose will be.

3. The characters, details, and events in a story will lead you to the conclusion. 4. Think about how the conclusion relates to the rest of the story.

5. A good way to understand the conclusion is to answer the question, “What is the point of the selection?”

PERFECTLY NATURAL

People have discovered that there are many natural products that are useful as name-brand products but are much cheaper. You might be surprised at what they are.

One of the best cleaning products available is vinegar One of the best cleaning products available is vinegar. It is wonderful for cleaning windows, enamel, and other hard surfaces. It is far cheaper than comparable products and has no harmful effects on the environment.

Baking soda is another fine cleaning product Baking soda is another fine cleaning product. When mixed with little water to form paste, it can remove baked-on stains on coffeepots, pans, and sinks.

Baking soda is also a good toothpaste, and many people place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors.

Hobbyists have discovered that dyes can be made from natural products Hobbyists have discovered that dyes can be made from natural products. Boiled onion skins produce a pleasant yellow color, and rusty nails that sit in a mixture of water and vinegar for a few days make a rusty-brown color

To keep weeds down in a vegetable garden, almost nothing works as well as newspaper. Just lay the sheets of paper around the plants and put a few rocks on them to hold them down.

After the first good rain, the paper will begin decomposing and will soon become part of the soil.

These are just a few natural products that are especially useful These are just a few natural products that are especially useful. Many publications offer other suggestions for natural products that can serve as substitutes for name-brand items.

The best place to look for more ideas is at your school or public library.

1.What is the author’s purpose in writing this selection? a.) To help the reader think about shopping b.) To inform the reader about useful products c.) To surprise the reader about cleaning products

2.What conclusion can the reader draw from the selection?

a.) Many natural products are as useful as name-brand products. b.) All natural products are better than name-brand products. c.) People spend too much money on name-brand products.

3. How does the author help the reader come to a conclusion? a.) By pointing out many savings b.) By using brand names c.) By showing many examples