What is the purpose of detail questions in reading comprehension?

The purpose of detail questions in reading comprehension is to assess a reader's ability to recall specific information from the text. These questions focus on extracting precise facts, examples, or descriptions that are explicitly mentioned in the material. By requiring the reader to refer back to the text and identify particular details, such questions help measure the reader's comprehension skills in a more focused manner. This approach emphasizes the importance of being able to locate and retain concrete information, which is crucial for deepening overall understanding of the text.

The other options focus on broader concepts, such as evaluating themes, testing vocabulary, or exploring the author's background, which do not align with the specific function of detail questions in assessing direct recall from the reading.