Question

in the spring of 1882, the chinese exclusion act was passed by congress and signed by president chester a. arthur. this act provided an absolute 10-year moratorium on chinese labor immigration. . . . when the exclusion act expired in 1892, congress extended it for 10 years in the form of the geary act.
—\chinese exclusion act (1882),\ national archives and records administration, www.ourdocuments.gov (accessed august 31, 2013)
what was the main reason for passing the chinese exclusion act?
preventing the depletion of natural resources
addressing a lack of urban housing
reducing competition for jobs in the u.s.

Explanation:

The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed during a time when there was concern about Chinese laborers competing with American workers for jobs. The other options (preventing natural resource depletion, addressing urban housing lack) are not related to the context of this act. The act focused on immigration of Chinese labor, so reducing job competition in the U.S. is the main reason.

Answer:

C. Reducing competition for jobs in the U.S. (assuming the options are labeled A, B, C with C being "Reducing competition for jobs in the U.S.")