Vocabulary · Free lesson
TOEIC Reading: find the main purpose of a message
This original workplace message practices a reading skill relevant to TOEIC Listening and Reading. Read the whole short message before choosing its purpose.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Ask what the writer wants to accomplish: request information, announce a change, apologize, or confirm an arrangement. A topic word is not enough. A message can mention parking while its main purpose is to request a visitor count.
Find the writer’s action, not just a repeated noun.
Read this message: “We are preparing visitor badges for your team. Please send the number of visitors by Wednesday so we can print enough badges. Visitor parking is beside the main entrance.” The request for a number drives the message; badge printing explains why, and parking is an extra helpful detail.
Purpose and supporting details
Please send the number of visitors by Wednesday.
so we can print enough badges
Visitor parking is beside the main entrance.
“To describe parking” uses a real detail but misses what the writer mainly wants the reader to do.
Name the purpose precisely
Identify the action
request
Add the requested information
request the number of visitors
Try it now
Identify why the writer wrote
Read all answers and explanations
In the badge message above, what is the main purpose?
To request the number of visitorsThe writer explicitly asks for a visitor count. Nothing cancels the visit or sells parking.
Which sentence gives the strongest evidence for that purpose?
Please send the number of visitors by Wednesday.Please send directly states the request. The other sentences give context or an additional detail.
New message: “Friday’s training will begin at nine instead of ten. Please update your calendar.” What is its main purpose?
To announce a changed start timeThe message announces a revised time and asks readers to record it. Its purpose differs from the badge message.
Put it into practice
Improve the purpose note
For the original badge message, replace this detail-only note with the main purpose.
The message is mainly about where to park.
See a model answer
The writer requests the visitor count so enough badges can be printed.
State what the message does, not merely one topic it mentions.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Is the subject the same as the purpose?
No. The subject might be a visit; the purpose might be requesting information needed for it.
visit → request visitor count
Is the last sentence always the main purpose?
No. It can add a helpful detail. Read the whole message and identify the central action.
Visitor parking is beside the main entrance.
Take it into your day
A true detail can still be the wrong main purpose.
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The English Grammar and English Speaking Master Course develops broader grammar, sentence-building, and communication foundations. Sentence meaning and communication foundations help you recognize requests and announcements. The dedicated exam course is coming soon; the available main course is not a complete exam-preparation program.
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