【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[听力原文]32-35 In 1848, gold was discovered near San Francisco, and the first great gold-rush began. When the news spread, farmers, lawyers, sailors, soldiers and school teachers rushed to California by what ever means they could. Within a year, 100,000 people only 8,000 of whom were Women had reached the coast of California. More than half of them had traveled overland across the American continent. "Gold fever" began to spread. Settlements throughout the United States were deserted. Homes, farms and stores were abandoned as everybody raced for California. Many came by sea, and in July 1850 more than 500 ships were anchored in San Francisco Bay, many of which had been deserted by gold- hungry sailors. A few people became very rich, but it was a risky business. Law and order broke down. Even if a miner "struck it rich", there were always those who would try to take it away: gamblers, outlaws, and thieves. Gold and silver were discovered in Nevada a few years later, and "gold fever" was an important part of the colonization of the western United States. 32. When did the first great gold-rush begin? 信息明示题。文章开头就指出，淘金热始于1848年，故选A。

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】[听力原文] How many people had reached the coast of California within a year'? 信息明示题。文章提到 Within a year，100,000 people．．．had reached the coast of California，故选D。

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文] Where were those gold seekers from? 综合推断题。文章提到 More than half of them had traveled overland across the American continent，由此可以推断，来淘金的人来自美国各地，故选B。

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[听力原文] Why was gold-mining a risky business? 信息明示题。文章提到…it was a risky business．Law and order broke down…由此可知，淘金危险是因为它不受法律和秩序的保护，故选C。