Chapters 1-4

Question 1

calculated the circumference (distance around) of the earth

Answer 1

Eratosthenes

Question 2

opened a library and museum in Alexandria

Answer 2

Ptolemy

Question 3

circumference of the earth

Answer 3

24,875 miles

Question 4

How was Ptolemy able to gather so much of the world’s knowledge at that time for his library and museum in Alexandria, Egypt?

Answer 4

He ordered a search of all ships, caravans, and visitors entering Alexandria. When books, maps, or anything interesting was found, they were confiscated, taken to the library where they were copied, and then returned

Question 5

connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean

Answer 5

Strait of Gibraltar

Question 6

the name of constellation where Big Dipper is located

Answer 6

Ursa Major

Question 7

country where Great Wall was built

Answer 7

China

Question 8

first European to explore China

Answer 8

Marco Polo

Question 9

ruler of the Mongol empire

Answer 9

Kublai Khan

Question 10

What was the purpose of the Great Wall of China, and what is its approximate length?

Answer 10

The purpose of the Great Wall was to keep out invaders. The approximate length of the wall is 1,800 miles.

Question 11

The Phoenicians and Greeks each explored for different reasons. What were they.

Answer 11

Phoenicians explored to find new trade routes.

Greeks explored for military conquest.

Question 12

What are the special properties of asbestos and coal?

Answer 12

Asbestos is a mineral that does not burn, while coal is a material that can be used as a fuel because it burns.

Question 13

built a small village in Sagres, Portugal, and built an observatory and started a school for navigation

Answer 13

Henry the Navigator

Question 14

first explorer to sail to India

Answer 14

Vasco de Gama

Question 15

reference median for longitude (city, country)

Answer 15

Greenwich, England

Question 16

southernmost part of Africa

Answer 16

Cape of Good Hope

Question 17

What was the purpose of the “cross staff,” and why was this information important to sailors?

Answer 17

The cross staff was used to measure latitude. This information told sailors how many degrees or miles above or below the equator the ship was.

Question 18

Why were spices so strongly desired by the Europeans?

Answer 18

They used spices to give variety to the taste of food and conceal the fact that the food might be spoiled