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Answer: ASet 3: Cross-Text Connections
Explanation
PASSAGE
Text 1 The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought 300,000 people to the territory. The sudden influx of population fast-tracked California's statehood in 1850. Text 2 The rapid population growth decimated the environment. Hydraulic mining washed away hillsides, clogging rivers with sediment and ruining farmland downstream.
Which choice best synthesizes the impact of the Gold Rush?
A. It accelerated political development but caused severe environmental degradation.✓ Correct
B. It made everyone rich.
C. It stopped California from becoming a state.
D. It improved the river systems.
Detailed Explanation
Text 1: Fast-tracked statehood (Political). Text 2: Decimated environment/Washed hillsides. Synthesis: Political gain + Environmental loss.
Key Evidence:
• "fast-tracked ... statehood"
• "decimated the environment"
• "ruining farmland"
Why others are wrong: B (Not everyone.), C (Fast-tracked it.), D (Clogged them.).