People onboard the Mayflower first spotted land in early November 1620. They had arrived in Cape Cod Bay, which is now a part of Massachusetts. Their first winter in America was brutal. Most of the colonists stayed on the ship because there was no shelter on the land. It was very cold, and many people got ill. There also was not enough healthy food. By the spring, only about half of the passengers had survived to move to land.

According to the passage, why was the first winter in America difficult for the colonists?

A
because they were not used to eating seafood

B
because their homes were destroyed

C
because they were not used to snow

D
because many people became sick

1 answer

According to the passage, the first winter in America was difficult for the colonists primarily because of the cold weather, illness, and lack of healthy food. Therefore, the best answer is:

D - because many people became sick.