Introduction

Asian countries quadrupled. Many others, such as Bosnians and Iraqis, came because their countries were at war. And, as always, people came so that they could be reunited with family members who had come before.

According to Pew Research Center, 13.6 percent of the population is foreign born, with most of the immigrants from South and East Asia and Mexico. Since the U.S. has always been perceived as the land of freedom and opportunity, immigrants will continue to come and prosper, many achieving the American Dream.

1 hardship: difficulty 2 persecution: unjust or cruel treatment because of differences in belief

COMPREHENSION Based on the reading, write T for true or F for false.

1. The highest percentage of foreign-born Americans was in 1910. 2. Americans often identify themselves with the nationality of their ancestors. 3. Most of the immigrants coming to America today are from Europe.

THINK ABOUT IT Discuss the questions with a partner or in a small group.

1. How has the U.S. benefited from immigration? How has it faced challenges? Give examples. 2. What difficulties do immigrants experience when they first arrive in a new country? How can they deal with these problems? Share your ideas.

9.1 Adverbial Clauses and Phrases—Introduction

Some sentences have an adverbial clause or phrase and a main clause. We use adverbial clauses for a variety of reasons.

EXAMPLES EXPLANATION

Before the 1960s, more than half of immigrants came from Europe. To indicate time

Germans came to the U.S. because of economic problems in Germany. To give reasons Many immigrants come so that they can be reunited with family members. To show purpose Even though it’s hard to be an immigrant, many people make that choice. To show contrast If the U.S. didn’t have immigrants, it would be a less interesting place. To state conditions Note: The adverbial clause or phrase can come before or after the main clause. If it comes before, it is usually separated from the main clause with a comma.

I went to Canada before I came to the United States. (no comma)

Before I came to the United States, I went to Canada. (comma)

EXERCISE 1 Listen to the story about the author’s family. Write T for true or F for false. 9.2

1. The speaker’s grandfather worked as a doctor in Chicago.

2. The speaker’s grandmother was used to traveling long distances.

3. The family was not allowed into the United States at first because one of the children was sick.

EXERCISE 2 Listen again. Fill in the blanks with the words you hear. 9.2

I’m a Jewish American. My maternal grandfather came to the United States from Poland in 1911

because

1. he wanted a better life for his wife and children. Life was hard for them in Poland,

and they had heard stories of how you could better yourself in America

2. you were

poor.

3. my grandfather was working as a tailor in Chicago, he saved money

4. he could bring his family to join him.

5. 10 years of hard work,

he had finally saved up enough money.

10 years, he didn’t learn much English

7. 6. he had been in the United States for

he had to go to work immediately.

8. my grandmother and her four children started their journey in 1921, they had

never left their village before. They arrived in New York

most immigrants at that time. They were tired and scared

word of English. They were afraid of what to do next,

9.

10.

11. that was the entry point for

they didn’t speak one

finally, they saw my

grandfather waiting for them. The immigration officials detained them in New York

my mother’s youngest sister was sick. At that time, you couldn’t enter the country

12.

13.

your health was good. She was taken to a hospital.

14. she was in the hospital for one

week, she was released and the family was ready to start their new life. From New York, they took a train to

Chicago.

15.

to work in a factory they arrived in Chicago, my mother, the oldest, was 16 years old. She went

16. she could help her younger brother and sisters get an education.

EXERCISE 3 In Exercise 1, tell if the filled in words express time (T), reason (R), purpose (P), contrast (Ct), or condition (Cd).

1. R 5. 9. 13.

2. 6. 10. 14.

3. 7. 11. 15.

4. 8. 12. 16.