Test analysis: This question mainly examines the students' ability to accurately interpret the information in the material. The text in the material reads, "Columbus went to the West to America four times before and after, but he didn't find gold, jewelry, spices or silk. As a result, the Spanish king who funded him was deeply disappointed. " It shows that exploring gold and silver treasures is the direct driving force to open up new routes, that is, D and A are wrong answers, and B and C are not in line with the meaning of the question.