The Right Decision
As the immense passenger ship embarked on the transatlantic journey, Timothy Birchall waved goodbye to his mother and sister. From his position at the rail, he could see their tear-stained faces watching him from the dock. For just a moment, he considered scrapping his plans and racing to comfort them. With the promise of starting a new life in America just two weeks away, however, he knew that he could not turn back. Timothy's uncle had moved to America a few years earlier and had become a successful merchant. The last time he had written to Timothy's family, he had mailed a ticket for a passenger ship and a request for Timothy to come to America to assist him with his business. The letter assured Timothy that within six months he would have enough money to send for his mother and sister and provide a comfortable home for them. Timothy wavered at first, unsure whether to believe the grand promises in his uncle's letters and wary of leaving his mother and sister to fend for themselves. The thought of providing a higher quality of life for them, however, prompted him to pack his belongings and board the ship. Timothy remained on the deck long after England had become but a speck on the horizon. When darkness fell, he retired to the cramped quarters in steerage—the lowest passenger area with the fewest accommodations—and tried to make himself comfortable on a hard bunk bed with a thin, straw mattress. Around him, mothers tried to keep their babies quiet and fathers told stories to tired kids. For a long time, the hum of the ship's engine, the coughs and sniffles of seasick passengers, and the mixture of ten or twenty different languages kept him awake. The following days were some of worst in Timothy's life. Storms violently rocked the ship. People's belongings hurtled through the air and slid across the floor. The ship's officers closed doors and vents to avoid taking on water. The hot, stifling air of the steerage level smelled of stagnant water and stale food. At times, Timothy regretted ever setting foot aboard the ship. One morning, the sea seemed to have grown calm, and Timothy ascended the narrow stairs to the upper level. He stepped outside and could scarcely believe his eyes. In the distance, proudly rising from the waters of New York Bay, stood the glorious Statue of Liberty. Her torch stretched high into the air and appeared ready to set the sky aflame. Anticipation made the last few hours of the trip torturous. The ship docked at Ellis Island. Doctors came aboard. They inspected first- and second-class passengers for signs of illness and disease in the privacy of their cabins. Steerage passengers had to wait until they received clearance to leave the ship. They shoved and pushed their way into lines leading to the Registry Room. Doctors watched as immigrants climbed the steps to the Registry Room. They performed a quick medical examination of all passengers. Timothy shuddered as a doctor used a small hook to lift his eyelid to check for a contagious illness. He breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor allowed him to proceed to the registry officials. There, he presented his legal papers and relayed personal information about himself. After that, Timothy boarded a ferry to New York City, where his uncle had promised to wait for him. A short time later, Timothy took his first steps onto America's mainland. His new life was about to begin and for the first time since he had left England, he felt confident in his decision.
Which paragraph best summarizes this passage?
A. After his uncle assured Timothy that he could earn a living in America and bring his family to live there as well, Timothy boarded a trans-Atlantic ship to the United States. The journey was difficult and uncomfortable, but eventually Timothy arrived and saw the Statue of Liberty. After a few diagnostic tests on Ellis Island, Timothy was in American at last!
B. The days across the Atlantic were some of worst in Timothy's life. Storms violently rocked the ship. People's belongings hurtled through the air and slid across the floor. The ship's officers closed doors and vents to avoid taking on water. The hot, stifling air of the steerage level smelled of stagnant water and stale food. At times, Timothy regretted ever setting foot aboard the ship.
C. Timothy shuddered as a doctor used a small hook to lift his eyelid to check for a contagious illness. He breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor allowed him to proceed to the registry officials. There, he presented his legal papers and relayed personal information about himself. After that, Timothy boarded a ferry to New York City, where his uncle had promised to wait for him. A short time later, Timothy took his first steps onto America's mainland. His new life was about to begin and for the first time since he had left England, he felt confident in his decision.
D. Timothy's uncle had moved to America a few years earlier and had become a successful merchant. The last time he had written to Timothy's family, he had mailed a ticket for a passenger ship and a request for Timothy to come to America to assist him with his business. The letter assured Timothy that within six months he would have enough money to send for his mother and sister and provide a comfortable home for them. Timothy wavered at first, unsure whether to believe the grand promises in his uncle's letters and wary of leaving his mother and sister to fend for themselves. The thought of providing a higher quality of life for them, however, prompted him to pack his belongings and board the ship.