Read the paragraph from "The Workers of Ellis Island." Interpreters translated for immigrants who could not communicate in Engli
sh. Interpreters not only needed strong linguistic skills in one or more foreign languages, but they also needed to understand the most common dialects in a given language. An interpreter needed to convey the equivalent (or a close equivalent) of the words and meanings expressed by an alien immigrant and a United States Immigrant Inspector or other Ellis Island worker. Many interpreters at Ellis Island were either immigrants themselves or the children of immigrants. Which sentence best represents the paragraph's central idea? Interpreters translated for immigrants who could not communicate in English. Interpreters not only needed strong linguistic skills in one or more foreign languages, but they also needed to understand the most common dialects in a given language. An interpreter needed to convey the equivalent (or a close equivalent) of the words and meanings expressed by an alien immigrant and a United States Immigrant Inspector or other Ellis Island worker. Many interpreters at Ellis Island were either immigrants themselves or the children of immigrants.
The correct answer is C. An interpreter needed to convey the equivalent (or a close equivalent) of the words and meanings expressed by an alien immigrant and a United States Immigrant Inspector or other Ellis Island worker.
Explanation:
The main idea of a text is always the central point the author wants to convey. In the case of the excerpt presented, this focuses on the role of interpreters at the Ellis Island, especially their role to support the communication of immigrants and natives of the island. This idea is developed through supporting details such as "strong linguistic skills" or "the equivalent (or a close equivalent) of the words and meanings". According to this, the main point is best expressed in the sentence "An interpreter needed to convey the equivalent..." because this sentence directly states the role and importance of interpreters at Ellis Island, which is the focus of the text.
A passive voice construction contains a form of the verb to be (or to get) plus a past participle of a transitive verb. It expresses an action carried out on the subject of the sentence.
