Question

select the correct answer.
what is the author’s purpose in this persuasive business message?

thank you for taking my call today. i’m writing this letter to highlight a billing error. i hope that you’ll adjust it in the next bill.

my monthly electric bill is usually around $300. however, this month’s bill was $650! you can imagine my shock when i saw it. i do understand that a hardware or software problem might be behind the inflated bill. i am sure this is a one - time error that your technical staff can correct. i’ve enclosed a copy of my bill for your reference.

i’m a longtime customer of parish energy and appreciate your zero - outage policy. i hope your company will continue serving our community for a long time.

a. to complain about the company’s computers
b. to get an error adjusted in the next billing cycle
c. to suggest a change to the zero outage policy
d. to gain the benefits and perks of being a longtime customer
e. to advise technical staff on how to follow a specific process

Explanation:

• Option A: The author mentions hardware/software issue as a possible cause but the main purpose isn't to complain about computers.
• Option B: The author writes to highlight a billing error and hopes it's adjusted in the next bill, which matches the purpose.
• Option C: The author appreciates the zero - outage policy and doesn't suggest changing it.
• Option D: The author is a longtime customer but the purpose isn't to gain benefits from that status.
• Option E: The author doesn't advise technical staff on processes.

Answer:

B. to get an error adjusted in the next billing cycle