Read the following paragraph and select the author's purpose in writing that paragraph. Christopher Columbus was a famous explorer who discovered the New World while searching for a western route to the Indies. Although all other merchants had traveled eastward to the Indies, Columbus was convinced he could reach the Indies by traveling west. He begged the king and queen to give him money, equipment, and supplies for his journey. Although Christopher Columbus did not find what he was looking for, on October 12, 1492, he and his men discovered the New World. The world owes a great debt to the courageous explorations of Christopher Columbus.

to give pleasure
to persuade
to express strong feelings
to inform