Final answer:
In Chapter 1 of Golding's Lord of the Flies, Ralph wants to determine if they are on an island or attached to more land to assess their chances of rescue.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Chapter 1 of Golding's Lord of the Flies, Ralph believes it is a good idea to find out whether they are on an island or attached to more land because it could impact their chances of rescue. If they are on an island, Ralph wants to sail out with the tide to explore and possibly find help. On the other hand, if they are attached to more land, it might increase the likelihood of their rescue as they could be closer to civilization.