Question

Read the following text from a memoir. This excerpt is about the early days of the Jamestown colony.
Within ten days, barely ten of us could either go or even stand, such extreme weakness and sickness oppressed us. And none will marvel at that, if they consider the cause and reason, which was this: while the ships stayed, our food allowance was somewhat improved by a daily portion of biscuit, which the sailors would steal to sell, give, or exchange with us. But when they departed, there remained no place of relief but the shared rations. And that was half a pint of wheat, and as much barley, boiled with water for a man a day. And this, having fried some twenty-six weeks in the ship's hold, contained as many worms as grains.
Based on this excerpt, what can you conclude about the early days of the Jamestown colony?
A. The settlers were sick and starving.
B. The settlers needed medicine to survive.
C. The settlers were tired of eating only wheat and barley.

Answer 1

A. The settlers were sick and starving.

The passage describes "extreme weakness and sickness," very meager rations (half a pint each of wheat and barley per day), and food so old it was full of worms — clear evidence of illness and severe food shortage. Options B and C are not supported by the text.