To select the best option that describes the author’s purpose in the excerpt, we would need more context about the content of the excerpt itself. However, based on the options provided:
- If the excerpt focuses on the struggles and conditions experienced by immigrants, then "to demonstrate the difficult conditions many immigrants faced" would be the best choice.
- If it details the different sections of ocean liners, then "to describe the different sections of ocean liners in the 1800s" would fit.
- If it discusses reasons for reluctance to migrate to America, then "to show why many people were reluctant to come to America" would apply.
- If it addresses changes in immigration patterns over time, then "to explain how immigration has changed since the 1800s" would be appropriate.
Without the text, I cannot definitively determine which option is most accurate. Please share the excerpt or provide additional details for a more precise evaluation.