501 Critical Reading Questions

e.
The passage does not speculate about the future nor does it describe
the racial discrimination that occurs today in the United States.
68.
b.
The first paragraph introduces the passage’s thesis and gives an
overview about who emigrated to California and why they came.
69.
b.
The passage provides a historical overview supported by facts and
interpreted by the author. The author’s opinion is evidenced in the
last sentence of the passage (lines 48–49): 
a testimony to their outstand-
ing achievements and contributions.
70.
c.
Line 15 states that the 
Chinese immigrants proved to be productive and
resourceful.
Lines 46 and 47 praises their 
speed, dexterity, and outright
perseverance.
71.
e.
The passage states that at the time, the U.S. Constitution 
reserved the
right of naturalization for white immigrants,
excluding Chinese immi-
grants. Chinese immigrants could become citizens, depending on
the 
whim
(line 25) of local governments.
72.
c.
Enterprise
means an undertaking that is especially risky. It could also
mean a unit of economic organization. In this instance, 
industry
fits
best within the context.
73.