ELLIS ISLAND Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants arrived in New York. They came from all over the world on crowded, dirty ships, but most came from Europe. They were often poor and life was difficult for them in their own countries. The journey from their own countries was long and tiring. People went to America because they wanted to make a new life for themselves. They got off the ship at tiny Ellis Island in New York Bay. First, American officials asked them a lot of questions about their families, their jobs and the money they had. people, very old people and criminals had to return home. The busiest year for Ellis Island was 1907 when over one million immigrants arrived. The busiest day was 17th April, 1907. From Ellis Island the new immigrants travelled by boat to New York. The city was full of different races, cultures and languages. There was an Irish district, a Jewish district. Chinatown, Little Italy and Harlem (where many ex-slaves lived). The new immigrants usually lived in apartments with six or seven other families. Life wasn't easy! But the new immigrants worked hand and helped to make America successful. Today, one third of the population-over 100 million Americans – are descendants of the Very sick Ellis Island immigrants. 3 Read the text again. Match sentences A-Fwith gaps 1-5. There is one sentence that you do not need. A Then doctors checked their health. B The first thing they saw as their ship came into New York Bay was the enormous Statue of Liberty. C Every member of the family had to work, and most of them didn't speak English! D They waited patiently in long queues. E Over 11,000 people arrived on that day! F But they had very little luggage with them. 4. VOCABULARY Match the highlighted adjectives in the text and in the sentences in exercise 3 with the definitions below. 1 rich and strong 2 very small 3 very big 4 full of people 5 not feeling well; ill 6 making you want to sleep/rest