Question

read the text.
butterflies perform one of natures most spectacular tricks: metamorphosis. a butterfly begins life in its larval stage. after the larva, or caterpillar, eats huge amounts of food, it is ready for its awe - inspiring feat.
commonly, the larva suspends itself from a branch and forms a hard cocoon from its own silk. inside, the insect dissolves into a gooey liquid that still contains some organized cells that will form the new butterfly. those cells divide and create the wings, antennae, legs, and other parts. then, as if by magic, a complete butterfly emerges!
which authors purpose is suggested by the text?
to inform readers about butterfly metamorphosis
to describe the appearance of a new butterfly
to convince readers that butterflies are magical

Explanation:

The text details the process of a butterfly's metamorphosis, from the larval stage to forming a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly. It provides factual information about the biological transformation. The mention of "metamorphosis", "larval stage", "cocoon", and the description of the internal changes inside the cocoon are all elements of informing readers about this natural process. It is not mainly focused on just describing the appearance of the new butterfly (as it covers more than just looks - the whole transformation process) and the "as if by magic" is a figurative way to describe the amazing process, not to actually convince readers butterflies are magical in a literal sense.

Answer:

to inform readers about butterfly metamorphosis