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Read the following passage.
Entrepreneurs of the California Gold Rush
The gold rush of 1849 in California brought thousands of newcomers to the state. They came in search of fortune and a better life. Although most of them came to dig for gold, other opportunities were inadvertently created for entrepreneurs of a different kind.
The gold rush caused crowded camps to appear all over California, giving rise to competition for basic daily needs. Food, clothing, and other necessities could hardly be produced fast enough to keep up with the growing masses. People from all types of backgrounds quickly discovered that there was just as much fortune to be made serving the gold diggers as there was in digging for gold. With fierce and increasingly violent rivalry to find more gold happening all around them, some people saw an opportunity to make a better living by providing other goods and services to the rapidly growing population. A few had inflated their prices and taken advantage of the miners' plight. However, most were simply honest, hardworking businessmen with creative ideas.
One such entrepreneur was a young merchant named Levi Strauss. He was best known for a prosperous dry goods business that manufactured various types of apparel. Strauss created a pair of sturdy pants out of canvas, which became very popular among the miners. The pants were durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the miners' activities: stooping, kneeling, bending, and crawling in mud and on rocky surfaces. Ultimately, he added a critical element to the trousers: the metal rivet, which provided the best reinforcement for the laborers' work wear. This feature, still used in the manufacture of jeans today, changed the course of American fashion and put Mr. Strauss on the road to unparalleled success. Levi Strauss was one of the first of many entrepreneurs to make his fortune during the gold rush without digging for a single nugget.
inadvertently – unintentionally
entrepreneur – a risk-taking businessperson
necessity – something required
rivalry – a feepng of competition
inflate – to raise prices
plight – an unfortunate situation
apparel – clothing
rivet – a bolt used to fasten two pieces of material together
reinforcement – something that strengthens
Do the following task.
An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
The rapid arrival of people during the California Gold Rush created a pressing need for goods and services.
Answer Choices
Translate all the new words in the text.
The gold rush of 1849 in California brought thousands of newcomers to the state. They came in search of fortune and a better life. Although most of them came to dig for gold, other opportunities were inadvertently created for entrepreneurs of a different kind.
The gold rush caused crowded camps to appear all over California, giving rise to competition for basic daily needs. Food, clothing, and other necessities could hardly be produced fast enough to keep up with the growing masses. People from all types of backgrounds quickly discovered that there was just as much fortune to be made serving the gold diggers as there was in digging for gold. With fierce and increasingly violent rivalry to find more gold happening all around them, some people saw an opportunity to make a better living by providing other goods and services to the rapidly growing population. A few had inflated their prices and taken advantage of the miners' plight. However, most were simply honest, hardworking businessmen with creative ideas.
One such entrepreneur was a young merchant named Levi Strauss. He was best known for a prosperous dry goods business that manufactured various types of apparel. Strauss created a pair of sturdy pants out of canvas, which became very popular among the miners. The pants were durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the miners' activities: stooping, kneeling, bending, and crawling in mud and on rocky surfaces. Ultimately, he added a critical element to the trousers: the metal rivet, which provided the best reinforcement for the laborers' work wear. This feature, still used in the manufacture of jeans today, changed the course of American fashion and put Mr. Strauss on the road to unparalleled success. Levi Strauss was one of the first of many entrepreneurs to make his fortune during the gold rush without digging for a single nugget.
Fill in the diagram and summarize the text using it.
Cause:
Effect:
1.
2.
Example:
3.
- Cause: California Gold Rush.
- Effect: Increase in entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Example: Levi Strauss capitalized on needs of gold miners.
