1. Mankind's fascination with gold is as old as civilization itself. The ancient Egyptians held gold in high esteem. Gold had religious significance for them, and King Tutankhamen was buried in a solid gold coffin 3300 years ago. The wandering Israelites worshipped a golden calf, and the legendary King Midas asked that whatever he touched be turned into gold.
2. Not only is gold beautiful, but it is virtually indestructible. It will not rust or corrode. Gold coins and products fabricated from the metal have survived undamaged for centuries. Gold is extremely easy to work with. One ounce, which is about the size of a cube of sugar, can be beaten into a sheet nearly 100 square feet in size, and becomes so thin that light can pass through it. An ounce of gold can also be stretched into a wire 50 miles long. Gold conducts electricity better than any other substance except copper and silver, and it is particularly important in modern electronic industry.
3. People have always longed to possess gold. Unfortunately, this longing has also brought out the worst in human character. The Spanish conquerors robbed palaces, temples and graves and killed thousands of people in their ruthless search for gold. Even today, the economy of South Africa's gold mines depend largely on the employment of black labourers who are paid about 40 pounds a month, plus boarding and lodging. They work in conditions that can only be described as cruel. About 400 miners die in South Africa each year.
4. Much of the gold's value lies in its scarcity. Only about 80,000 tons have been mined in the history of the world. All of it can be stored in a vault 60 feet square, or a super tanker. Great Britain was the first country to adopt the gold standard, when the Master of the Mint, Sir Issac Newton, established a fixed price for gold in 1717. The discovery of gold in the last half of the nineteenth century in California, (1848) and later in Australia and South Africa changed everything. Before the discovery, there wasn't enough gold around for all the trading nations to link their currencies to the precious metal.
5. An out-of-work prospector named George Harrison launched South Africa into the gold age in 1886 when he discovered the metal in a farm near what is now Johannesburg. Harrison was given a 12 pounds reward by the farmer. He then disappeared and was eaten by a lion.
6. One of the biggest gold mining areas in the Soviet Union is the Kolyma River region, once infamous for its prison camp. The camp has gone, but in a way nothing has changed. Many ex-prisoners have stayed on to work in the mines and are supervised by ex-guards.
7. Despite the current rush to buy gold, 75 percent of the metal goes into making jewellery. Italy is the biggest consumer of gold for this purpose, and many Italian jewellers even tear up their wooden floors and burn them to recover the tiny flecks of gold. Historically, the desire to hoard gold at home has been primarily an occupation of the working and peasant classes, who have had no faith in paper money. George Bernard Shaw defended their instincts eloquently, "You have to choose between trusting the natural stability of the honesty and intelligence of the members of the government," he said "and with due respect to these gentlemen, I advise to vote for gold."
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below. (10)i. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true? (1)
a. Gold is the best conductor of electricity.
b. Apart from gold, copper and silver are good conductors of electricity.
c. Gold can be easily beaten, hence it is easy to work with.
d. Gold plays an important role in the modern electronics industry.
ii. Based on your reading of the text, list 2 reasons why the writer says that, Not only is gold beautiful but it is virtually indestructible. (2)
iii. How were the black labourers exploited? Answer in around 40 words. (2)
iv. Select the text that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following.
The wandering Israelites worshipped a golden calf ___________ (1)
v. Complete the following with the phrase from paragraph 1: (1)
| Opinion | Reason |
| | King Tutankhamen was buried in a solid gold coffin 3300 years ago. |
vi. Who launched South Africa into the gold age? (1)
a. Issac Newton
b. George Harrison
c. George Bernard Shaw
d. A farmer
vii. Select the option that corresponds to the following:
The ancient Egyptians and the modern electronic industry both hold gold in high esteem. (1)
a. The hardworking student came first because of his diligent practice.
b. Monesty is underrated whereas strategy is appreciated.
c. The vibrant colours made the interiors look luminous.
d. The steaming food was both appetizing and tasty.
viii. Supply one point to justify the following:
The desire to hoard gold at home has been primarily an occupation of the working and peasant classes. (1)