8. Which is the author's purpose in writing the selection? To explain a possible cause for a serious health concern To compare the health of children in different countries To argue that good hygiene is necessary for good health To explain why good hygiene is important in every country

To determine the author's purpose in writing the selection, we need to analyze the content and tone of the text. <br /><br />Based on the given options, the most likely purpose of the author in writing the selection is:<br /><br />To explain a possible cause for a serious health concern<br /><br />This option suggests that the author is providing information about a potential cause of a significant health issue, which aligns with the idea of explaining a possible cause for a serious health concern.<br /><br />The other options, such as comparing the health of children in different countries, arguing that good hygiene is necessary for good health, or explaining why good hygiene is important in every country, do not seem to align as closely with the given information.<br /><br />Therefore, the author's purpose in writing the selection is most likely to explain a possible cause for a serious health concern.