After observing myself and others who suffer as they search for golden dreams, I find myself reflecting on the changes that have
occurred to all of us. We moved our families two to three thousand miles over rough terrain in hopes of establishing new, profitable lives, and we dreamed of a wealth that would change our lives forever. The reality is that the struggle to gain these dreams has done more damage than potential wealth can repair.
When I left my home a year ago, my spirits were filled with hopes of providing a healthy and profitable life for my family; I dreamed of a chance to be an active part in the building of a new community of spiritual, law–abiding citizens. I visualized a community of people engaged in the common goal of supporting each other. As I reflect on the changes I experienced this last year, I am overwhelmed with disappointment and fear.
Within my first week in this territory, I labored to understand the tongues of others who were searching for the same gold as I was. When I found kernels of gold, I hid them from others, fearing the chance that they would steal my gold or find more in the area where I found it. I hated myself for doubting the integrity of others, yet others did the same when I asked of their findings. The curse of poverty continues to encompass our lives even though we exist in the land of treasure and hope. Many of those who discovered the richness of gold wasted it away on foolish expenditures, and we remain poor in spite of our efforts to find a better, richer life.
Gold's fortune has been replaced with misfortune for most who came here. Love for one another has been replaced by bigotry for those of different races or color. Comfort within our society has been replaced with fear of each other. Tolerance has been replaced by violence against those who resemble opposition or a threat to a man's personal wealth. The lust for gold is the disease that will infect and destroy us.
It is the responsibility of all of us to remember who we are. It is crucial that we value the existence of the human spirit and forget the existence of potential luxury. Without the incorporation of morals and integrity, our fate is one of doom and destruction. We must investigate our intentions and value the human element. Without this examination, the search for gold will be the end of humanity as we know it.
Questions:
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that many people who came to search for gold did not trust others?
A.
The reality is that the struggle to gain these dreams has done more damage than potential wealth can repair.
B.
Within my first week in this territory, I labored to understand the tongues of others who were searching for the same gold as I was.
C.
I hated myself for doubting the integrity of others, yet others did the same when I asked of their findings.
D.
The curse of poverty continues to encompass our lives even though we exist in the land of treasure and hope.
How does the author develop the narrator's idea that searching for gold was not all the narrator had hoped it would be?
A.
by contrasting the narrator's beliefs with others who came to search for gold.
B.
by contrasting the narrator's hopes and dreams with his actual experience.
C.
by explaining what the narrator hoped to find when he first left his home.
D.
by explaining what the narrator thinks about those who are different from him.
Read the following sentence from the passage:
Love for one another has been replaced by bigotry for those of different races or color.
Based on context, what is the meaning of the underlined word?
A.
caring
B.
kindness
C.
confusion
D.
prejudice
Which meaning of the underline word in the following sentence from the passage does the author intend?
I labored to understand the tongues of others who were searching for the same gold as I was.
A.
languages
B.
lies
C.
determination
D.
honesty
Which sentence from "Gold Fever" would support the inference that the narrator's experience looking for gold was not what he expected?
A.
When I left my home a year ago, my spirits were filled with hopes of providing a healthy and profitable life for my family; I dreamed of a chance to be an active part in the building of a new community of spiritual, law–abiding citizens.
B.
I visualized a community of people engaged in the common goal of supporting each other.
C.
As I reflect on the changes I experienced this last year, I am overwhelmed with disappointment and fear.
D.
Within my first week in this territory, I labored to understand the tongues of others who were searching for the same gold as I was.
What role does the SETTING play in the story's conflict?
A.
The setting caused the narrator to get gravely sick with an unknown disease.
B.
The setting created an atmosphere of distrust and poverty that changed the narrator.
C.
The setting produced caused the narrator to value others more than before.
D.
The setting produced a contented life of great wealth and luxury for the narrator.
