Letter to Rifka: Ellis Island

Where is Ellis Island located?

• New York Harbor

• San Francisco Bay

• Miami Beach

• Chicago River

What was the purpose of Ellis Island during the early 20th century?

• To serve as a military base

• To provide medical care for the elderly

• To process and inspect immigrants entering the United States

• To house government officials

How did immigrants travel to Ellis Island?

• By plane

• By bus

• By ship

• By bicycle

What were some of the challenges immigrants faced at Ellis Island?

• Lack of food and water

• Medical inspections, language barriers, legal processing, potential deportation

• Extreme weather conditions

• Long waiting times

What was the typical process for immigrants upon arrival at Ellis Island?

• Immigrants were sent back to their home country without any processing

• Immigrants would undergo medical, legal, and eligibility inspections.

• Immigrants were immediately granted citizenship

• Immigrants were not required to undergo any inspections

How long did the medical inspection process take at Ellis Island?

• 1-2 hours

• 3-5 hours

• 30 minutes

• 10-15 minutes

What were some of the reasons immigrants could be denied entry to the United States at Ellis Island?

• Contagious disease, likelihood of becoming a public charge, criminal record, mental instability

• Lack of education

• Inability to speak English

• Political beliefs

What was the significance of the name change process at Ellis Island?

• Changing names to reflect social status

• Selecting names randomly from a list

• Standardizing and Anglicizing names for easier record-keeping and assimilation.

• Assigning new names based on physical appearance

How did the experience at Ellis Island impact the lives of immigrants?

• Immigrants were given free housing and job opportunities upon arrival

• Immigrants were subjected to medical examinations, legal inspections, and name changes, influencing their assimilation into American society.

• Immigrants were immediately granted citizenship without any paperwork

• Immigrants were not required to undergo any inspections or examinations

What role did Ellis Island play in shaping American history?

• Ellis Island served as the main entry point for immigrants coming to the United States, contributing to the country's cultural and demographic makeup.

• Ellis Island was a center for scientific research in the 19th century

• Ellis Island was a major trading port for the colonies

• Ellis Island was a military base during the American Revolution