Joining Forces for Freedom The year was 1918, and Emma lived in Buffalo, New York. One day in April almost a year before, her dad came home from work with a newspaper under his arm. The headline said, “PRESIDENT CALLS FOR WAR DECLARATION.” Dad explained that Germany was trying to take over other countries and attacking ships, including American ships. So President Wilson had asked Congress to declare war and join forces with Germany’s enemies. America had a duty to fight for freedom.

Along with many of the men where he worked, Dad joined the U. S. Army to fight in World War I. He went to training camp and then was sent to France. Emma knew Mom missed him and was sad, even though her mother did not say it aloud, but Emma was proud her dad was helping the cause of freedom.

Mom missed Aunt Edith, too. She was Mom’s younger sister and had lived with them as long as Emma could remember. When Aunt Edith was eighteen, she got a job as a switchboard operator for the telephone company. When America entered the war, telephone operators, chauffeurs, and truck drivers were needed. Aunt Edith wanted to serve her country, so she signed up and moved to Washington, D. C.

Aunt Edith wrote home often. She was proud of her uniform, a navy blue jacket with gold buttons and navy blue skirt. She said that the bottom of the skirt had to be exactly eight inches from the floor. Her blouse was called a waist, and she wore a scarf called a neckerchief around the open collar. The photo she sent to the family was displayed on the table in the living room.

With so many men joining the armed forces, many jobs at home needed to be filled. Companies were hiring women for jobs that men usually held. Some of Mom’s friends had jobs and the family needed money, so Dad’s mom agreed to help care for Emma if Mom got a job.

Mom applied for and got a job at the Curtiss Company, a corporation that made airplanes at a plant outside the city of Buffalo.

Mom was an inspector. Each part had to be carefully checked with tools that measured very short lengths and small diameters. Every bolt and screw had to match exactly the length and width shown on the plans. The job was important because lives of pilots who flew the planes depended on careful attention to detail. Mom enjoyed her work at the factory.

In August, 1918, the family received a letter from Dad. He had fought in a battle but was fine. Then, in November of 1918, the German Kaiser, or emperor, gave up his rule. The fighting stopped on November 11, and Dad wrote that he was coming home. The family was so happy and ready to see him. Mom wanted to keep working but was not sure it would be possible because the men returning from war would want their old jobs back.

This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A
Which statement best summarizes the theme of the text?

A.
Attention to details is an important habit.

B.
People working together can accomplish much.

C.
Working hard is considered to be its own reward.

D.
The actions of the past affect the events of the future.

Part B
Which sentence from the text best supports your answer in part A?

A.
“The year was 1918, and Emma lived in Buffalo, New York.”

B.
“Emma knew Mom missed him and was sad, even though her mother did not say it aloud, but Emma was proud her dad was helping the cause of freedom.”

C.
“With so many men joining the armed forces, many jobs at home needed to be filled.”

D.
“Mom wanted to keep working but was not sure it would be possible because the men returning from war would want their old jobs back.”