The USA is a land of immigrants. Between 1815 and 1914, the world witnessed the greatest peaceful migration in its history: 35 million people, mostly Europeans, left their homelands to start new lives in America. Why did these people risk everything by leaving their homes and families?
First, what forced emigrants to make the decision to leave? One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. Another was politics. There was an increased taxation（税收） and the growth of armies, and many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.
Physical hunger provided another pressing reason. Following the collapse （衰退）of the economy of southern Italy in the 1860s, hundreds of thousands decided to start a new life in America. Religion also encouraged millions to leave the Old World.
In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890 among a total population of 63 million, there were more than nine million foreign-born Americans.
But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.
This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non-English had started to be more than those of English. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those unwilling immigrants, the slaves who had been used as a source of cheap labour. Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians. By 1860 there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks.
Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. As always, it remains an attractive place to those who think it will offer them a second chance.
【小题1】What is not the cause for people to leave their homeland? A．The search for religious freedom.B．The search for adventure.C．Unwillingness to join the army.D．Economics.【小题2】Why was life of the 19th Century European farmers difficult?A．There was no land.B．There was no peace.C．The population had gone down.D．There were too many of them.【小题3】 Which of the following was not an attraction of the USA?A．EmploymentB．A healthy life C．freedom of religionD．Business opportunities【小题4】What is the topic of this passage? A．The USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. B．The USA is a land of immigrants. C．Religion encouraged millions to leave the Old World. D．About one-eighth of non-native born Americans live in the USA in 1890.【小题5】 The American Indians .A．were as fortunate as the slavesB．were more unfortunate than the slavesC．were the most unfortunate D．were as unfortunate as the slavesB
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(答案→)B
解析：本文叙述了在 1815 和 1914之间,美国成了移民最好的去处，由于政治，经济、宗教信仰等的原因，欧洲的一些人开始向美国迁移，因为在这里人们有更多的就业机会、有商机有宗教自由，现在美国仍然是许多人的想去的乐土。
【小题1】细节理解题。根据many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid being forced to join the army.
In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. 他们由于社会经济，宗教自由，不愿入伍等原因离开了自己的家乡，不是为了冒险，故选B。
【小题2】细节理解题。根据One major cause for European farmers to leave was the rise in population which in turn led to land hunger. 农民人数的增加，而相对土地的平均少了，故选D。
【小题3】细节理解题。根据First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were calling for workers, and pay conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to open up the West and build the long railroads, and new towns needed settlers to live in and to develop business. There was the space for religious people to practice their faith in peace.在美国有就业机会，有商机还有宗教自由吸引了外国的移民，没有提到健康的生活，故选B。
【小题4】主旨大意题。根据The USA is a land of immigrants.文章开始点题，短文主要论述了美国为什么会成为外国移民的主要去向，故选B。
【小题5】细节理解题。根据Nor should we forget the equally unlucky American Indians.美洲的印第安人与奴隶一样地不幸，故选D。