Question

Which of the following statements best identifies a central idea of this text?

A. America has always welcomed immigrants who built the country and made it more productive through history.
B. During the Great Depression, jobs were scarce, but there was always a place for laborers working American soil to become wealthy and live out the American dream.
C. Mexicans invaded America in the 1930s because there were no jobs in Mexico and they wanted to steal American wealth.
D. Life as a migrant worker was difficult because of poverty and prejudice, and because it was hard to constantly adapt to life on the move.

Answer 1

The central idea of the text is that the life of a migrant worker was challenging due to financial struggles, discrimination, and the difficulties of constant mobility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best identifies a central idea of this text is: D. Life as a migrant worker was difficult because of poverty and prejudice, and because it was hard to constantly adapt to life on the move. The various excerpts from the text describe the challenges faced by immigrants who arrived in America seeking economic opportunities and a shot at the American Dream. Despite the hopes of social mobility and financial independence, many immigrants faced low wages, insecurity of employment, and lived in debt, often trapped within ethnic enclaves in cities. The texts also highlight the role of immigrants in the U.S. economy and society, including legal frameworks like the DREAM Act and DACA that support them, and the contribution of immigrant labor during times of shortage, particularly during World War II through the Bracero Program.