Question

Gold was found in California in 1849. This discovery fired the imaginations of many people, and it greatly affected California’s history. The Gold Rush that followed drew prospectors from all over the world. Those prospectors later became known as Fortyniners. The arrival of this group stimulated economic growth and the expansion of the railroad system. Which of the following omitted details would contribute most to the passage’s main idea—that the discovery of gold had a great effect on California’s history? California became known as the Golden State. California is our third-largest state. California also is home to earthquakes and landslides. California borders the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 1

The best answer is:
California became known as the Golden State. 

This sentence supports the main idea by stating that the Gold Rush was so important to California's identity that people began to call California the Golden State because of it. The other sentence options are not related to gold. 

Answer 2

Answer: A) California became known as the Golden State.

Explanation: In the given excerpt we can see the description of how the discovery of gold in California in 1849, influenced California's history. It describes how the Gold Rush produce the arrival of the Fortyniners that stimulated economic growth. From the given options, the detail that contribute most to the passage's main idea is that California became known as the Golden State.