阅读下面课文段落，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文的连贯要求，空格处各填入一个适当的单词，使短文通顺完整。请将答案写在二卷答题纸上。
◣ A ◢
(Book 8 Unit 1 California)
GOLD MINERS
In 1848, not long after the American-Mexican war, gold was discovered in California. The dream of becoming 小题1: quickly attracted people from all over the world. The nearest, and therefore the first to arrive, 小题2: South Americans and people from the United States. Then adventurers from Europe and Asia soon followed. In fact, few achieved their 小题3: of becoming rich. Some died or returned home, but most remained in California to make a life for themselves despite great hardship. They 小题4: in the new towns or on farms. By the time California elected to become the thirty-first federal 小题5: of the USA in 1850, it was already a multicultural society.
◣ B ◢
(Book 8 Unit 3 The problem of the smakes)
When I called up my mother in the countryside on the telephone she was very upset. “There are some 小题6: in our courtyard,” she told me. “Snakes come near the house now and 小题7: , and they seem to have made their home here, not far from the walnut tree. Can you 小题8: rid of them please?” I felt very proud. Here was a chance for me to 小题9: myself by inventing something merciful that would 小题10: snakes but not harm them. I knew my parents would not like me to hurt these living creatures!