Question

Which piece of textual evidence best supports the inference that the British waited until they were sure the telegram would encourage the US to enter the war? “leaders didn’t present the Zimmermann telegram to Wilson for a few weeks.” “that policy provoked the U.S. government to cut diplomatic relations with Germany” “Hall sensed that [it] would tip the balance in favor of the U.S. joining the Allied forces” “Congress of the United States declared war on Germany and its allies.”

Answer 1

“Hall sensed that [it] would tip the balance in favor of the U.S. joining the Allied forces”

This states the same as the question prompt. In this evidence it shows that there is an assumption that it, the telegram, will result in the "U.S. joining the Allied forces." In the first option it only shows that people waited to show Wilson the telegram, not that it would make an impact on the decision to declare war. The second option doesn't work because it speaks of the policy provoking the U.S., but does not give any indication that the British were waiting or had any interest in what the U.S. would do. The last option simply states that the U.S. declared war. It doesn't show any hesitation or evidence of the telegram.

Answer 2

e2020 answer is C. “Hall sensed that [it] would tip the balance in favor of the U.S. joining the Allied forces”