One day in 1848 a carpenter called Marshall, who worked in a saw mill on the American River in California, made a remarkable discovery. He noticed some bright yellow particles in the water, bent down to pick them up and took them to his partner, Mr. Sutter. This was the beginning of the Californian Gold Rush. Sutter was a Swiss who had come to America some years earlier to make his fortune. The Governor of California had given him permission to found a settlement in the Sacramento Valley and his determination and energy had made him rich. He had built the mill in partnership with Marshall in order to make use of the abundant natural fresources of his land.
Sutter realized the importance of the discovery and decided to file a claim so that his right to the gold would be established. So he sent a man named Bennet to San Francisco to see the Governor. He warned Bennet not to tell anyone in case people came to the valley before his claim was recognised. Bennet could not keep secret but the people of San Francisco did not believe him at first. Then the editor of a weekly newspaper there, Sam Brannan, went to Sutter’s mill to make a report. When he came back he ran through the streets of the town shouting ‘Gold! Gold!’Within a month almost the entire population, then only 800 people, had gone to look for the precious metal. Soldiers deserted the army, sailors left their ships and men gave up their jobs so as not to miss the chance of becoming rich.
The news spread across America to Europe and thousands of people joined in the search. Those who went by ship had to sail round Cape Horn to reach California but some chose the overland route across America and wagon trains were formed for travellers to make the journey. Even then there were some who were prepared to cross the terrible desert of Death Valley in order to reach the gold a few days before the rest
The Gold Rush proved a disaster for Sutter himself. For years he tried to evict the prospectors from his property so that his family might enjoy the wealth of his land, but his busmess was ruined. The prospectors did a great deal of damage, and killed one of his sons, and at the end of his life he was a poor man who continually stopped people in the street to tell them that Gold is the Devil.
11. The story took place.........................
A. in the 19th century B. After World War I
C. during World War I D. in the 18th century
12. Who was Marshall?
A. A Swiss B. A carpenter
C. The Governor of California D. A newspaper reporter
13. How did Marshall learn about the gold?
A. He found it in the water by accident.
B. His partner told him about it.
C. He found it when he was in Sacramento Valley to try his luck.
D. He got the information from a newspaper.
14. During the period of the Californian Gold Rush........................ .
A. Sutter went to California to make his fortune
B. Marshall built up a mill on the American River
C. Bennet was sent to San Francisco to see the Governor
D. Sam Brannan sent a reporter to Sacramento
15. Sutter became rich........................
A. when he found gold B. before he found gold
C. before he came to California D. in San Francisco
16. When Bennet told people there was gold in the Sacramento Valley, ........................
A. people rushed there immediately to look for gold
B. they did not believe him
C. Marshall was angry and fired him
D. he was punished for not keeping the secret
17. What was the population of San Francisco when the Gold Rush started?
A. 180 families B. 200 families C. 800 people D. 1,800 people
18. How did people make the journey to California at that time?
A. They sailed round Cape Hom and then crossed the desert of Death Valley.
B. They crossed America by ưain.
C. They travelled across America on wagon trains.
D. All of the above.
19. Sutter didn’t enjoy the wealth of his land because.........................
A. he failed to get helping hands
B. he was denied the right to the gold
C. all his sbns were killed
D. his business was ruined
20. What do you think the story told us?
A. How to make a fortune with this precious metal
B. How gold was discovered in California
C. Gold does not always lead to happiness
D. Why some people do not like gold
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