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Ellis Island Trivia Quiz

For over 60 years Ellis Island was the first that many immigrants saw of America. This quiz covers the island from the time it came into the governments possession to the centennial restoration project.

A multiple-choice quiz by myrab51. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
myrab51

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
272,786

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2273

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 165 (5/10), Guest 24 (5/10), Guest 91 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. How did the United States government come into possession of Ellis Island? Hint

Samuel Ellis left it to the government in his will.

They purchased it from the family that owned it.

The family lost it due to tax debt.

It was seized by the military as a strategic area just prior to the war of 1812.

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these was never a name for Ellis Island? Hint

Freedom Island

Oyster Island

Kioshk

Gibbet Island

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1892, a young Irish girl arriving with her two younger brothers were the first immigrants to be processed on Ellis Island. What was her name? Hint

Annie Moore

Mary Todd Lincoln

Betsy Ross

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

4. Architects inspected the new immigration center in 1892. They advised that due to poor construction, they did not expect the wood structure to last five years. How did their prediction work out? Hint

It is still standing on part of the island today.

The building was transferred and donated to the Smithsonian Institute.

The building collapsed killing several agents.

The building burned down five years later (1897).

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Question 5 of 10

5. The S.S. Baltic arrived at Ellis Island in 1907. What was it about the passengers that made this arrival notable? Hint

Plague had swept the ship. Every single passnger had to be detained.

A hurricane destroyed an island. All of the inhabitants packed aboard to relocate.

The passengers were child orphans that were to sold as labor before they were discovered.

There were 1,000 single women on board all looking for a husband.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Ellis Island was only about 3 acres when it was purchased from Samuel Ellis, but they later managed to build a 27 acre immigration center on it.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. One of the first things new immigrants would see on their approach to Ellis Island would be the Statue of Liberty. In 1893, Emma Lazarus wrote a poem. This poem was inscribed into the statue's pedestal. What was the name of the poem? Hint

1492

The New Colossus

Destiny

Echoes

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was Ellis Island used for during World War II? Hint

It was shut down until the war was over.

It continued taking in immigrants without stop.

It housed captured enemy sailors.

It was a temporary nuclear research facility.

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1954, Ellis Island closed its doors to immigration purposes for good. What was the most recognized contributing factor in the decision to close? Hint

unsafe building conditions

airliners

becoming a threat to national security

lack of immigration to the United States

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Question 10 of 10

10. By 1990, the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Centennial Commission raised $156 million for restoration of the statue and the island. What did they do to the old Great Hall? Hint

They had to destroy it due to deterioration.

It was cleaned, polished, and sealed off.

It was turned into a dance hall / movie theater.

It was turned into a museum.

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 17 2024 : Guest 165: 5/10
Dec 14 2024 : Guest 24: 5/10
Dec 11 2024 : Guest 91: 2/10
Dec 03 2024 : pennie1478: 8/10
Nov 30 2024 : Guest 73: 4/10
Nov 26 2024 : Guest 176: 6/10
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Nov 22 2024 : lones78: 8/10
Nov 12 2024 : Guest 24: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. How did the United States government come into possession of Ellis Island?

Answer: They purchased it from the family that owned it.

The United States government purchased Ellis Island for the sum of $10,000. It was for military use and Fort Gibson was constructed. It was not until 1892 that it became an immigration center.

2. Which of these was never a name for Ellis Island?

Answer: Freedom Island

Ellis Island was known as 'Kioshk' by the Mohican Indians. This translates to Gull Island. The name was changed to Oyster Island by the Dutch in 1628. In 1765, a pirate by the name of Anderson was executed on the island. This caused the name to be changed to Gibbet Island.

A gibbet is an execution device. It wasn't until Samuel Ellis purchased the island in 1794, that it acquired its current name.

3. In 1892, a young Irish girl arriving with her two younger brothers were the first immigrants to be processed on Ellis Island. What was her name?

Answer: Annie Moore

During the mid 1800s, there was famine in Ireland. It caused many of its citizens to look elsewhere for relief. Annie and her brothers were among these. They were sent by their parents to keep them from starvation. Annie arrived on her 15th birthday. There is now a bronze statue of Annie and her brothers erected at Ellis Island to commemorate their arrival.

Answer: The building burned down five years later (1897).

A fire that originated in the kitchen leveled the $75,000 immigration center and the surrounding buildings. Thankfully, no one was injured, but it took over three years to rebuild the center and reopen the island. The new stone and iron structure cost $600,000.

5. The S.S. Baltic arrived at Ellis Island in 1907. What was it about the passengers that made this arrival notable?

Answer: There were 1,000 single women on board all looking for a husband.

The S.S. Baltic was the original 'Love Boat'. One thousand single women disembarked looking for a spouse. Many picked out a new husband and exchanged vows right in the Great Hall.

6. Ellis Island was only about 3 acres when it was purchased from Samuel Ellis, but they later managed to build a 27 acre immigration center on it.

Answer: True

The government realized the island was too small to meet their increased needs. An innovative solution presented itself. New York's subway system was being built. They took the dirt dug from the tunnels and strategically dumped it into the harbor, thus expanding the island.

Answer: The New Colossus

These are all poems by Emma Lazarus. The one that had the honors of welcoming thousands to America was 'The New Colossus'. You may recognize the lines, 'Give me your tired, your poor / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!' The statue actually stands on Bedloe's Island, about half of a mile away.

8. What was Ellis Island used for during World War II?

Answer: It housed captured enemy sailors.

Due to immigration restrictions enacted during war time, immigration through the island plummeted. During this time period, the Coast Guard used the area as a training center. It also was housing for captured enemy soldiers. The island reopened to immigration at the end of the war.

9. In 1954, Ellis Island closed its doors to immigration purposes for good. What was the most recognized contributing factor in the decision to close?

Answer: airliners

Airliners had become more popular (and by 1954 air travel cost little more than ship for the journey from Europe). Steamships were no longer the preferred method of travel. A major seaport for immigration had become outmoded. The last person to ever be processed through Ellis island was a Norwegian seaman by the name of Arne Peterssen. Between 1892 and 1954, over 12 million immigrants started new lives as Americans on Ellis Island.

More than 100 million Americans are descended from them.

10. By 1990, the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Centennial Commission raised $156 million for restoration of the statue and the island. What did they do to the old Great Hall?

Answer: It was turned into a museum.

The Great Hall is now the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The project was overseen by architect, John Belle. He said he researched any reference he could find to match the original materials, colors, and textures. Ellis Island itself is now a national park.

Source: Author myrab51

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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