Explorers Quiz

Question 1

Why were explorers afraid to sail west?

Answer 1

Some thought the world might end; other thought the ocean was never-ending or called “Ocean Sea”

Question 2

Why did Portugal become a leader in exploring?

Answer 2

There was not port in Mediterranean Sea, so they wanted to find new route to China/India; Also wanted direct route to gold from Africa

Question 3

Explain Portugal’s Prince Henry.

Answer 3

Set up “Center for Exploration” or sarges; became known as “Henry the Navigator”; never went on voyages but planned them; would take info brought back from voyages and make new maps

Question 4

What did Portugal do on the coast of Africa? And what was it called?

Answer 4

Established trading posts and trade for gold and ivory; called “The Gold Coast”

Question 5

Who launched missions to find a route to China/India?

Answer 5

King John II; also kept exploring further south along Africa’s coast

Question 6

What was Bartholomew Dias sent to do?

Answer 6

Explore Southernmost tip of Africa and Indian Ocean

Question 7

What happened during Bartholomew Dias’ voyage?

Answer 7

Ran into huge storm and lost sight of land; once back on course realized he sailed around Africa

Question 8

What did Bartholomew Dias call the tip of Africa?

Answer 8

“Cape of Good Hope”

Question 9

Explain Vasco De Gama’s voyage?

Answer 9

Didn’t stay within sight of land; some points closer to brazil than Africa’ was at sea for 96 days; went around Cape of Good Hope

Question 10

What happened after Vasco De Gama went around Cape of Good Hope?

Answer 10

He met sailors who knew Indian Ocean well; Reached Calicut India May 1498

Question 11

Where was Vasco De Gama from?

Answer 11

Portugal

Question 12

What land did Portugal claim while trying to follow Gama’s route to India?

Answer 12

Brazil

Question 13

What happened after Portugal began regular routes to India?

Answer 13

They returned with spices, porcelain, and silks; made Lisbon the center of trade in Europe

Question 14

What areas did the Vikings explore?

Answer 14

Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Northern US

Question 15

What did Leif Eriksson explore?

Answer 15

Southwest of Greenland

Question 16

Where was Christopher Columbus born?

Answer 16

Genoa, Italy

Question 17

Where was the first place he sailed for and where did he go?

Answer 17

Portugal; traveled from Arctic circle to Africa’s Gold coast

Question 18

Why did Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand from Spain agree to finance a voyage to Asia?

Answer 18

Spain became jealous of trading success of Portugal; Columbus promised to spread Christianity; If was a success, Spain would become very wealthy

Question 19

What was Columbus’ biggest ship?

Answer 19

Santa Maria

Question 20

Why did Columbus’ sailors start to worry after a month at sea?

Answer 20

Thought they would never reach their destination; tried to convince Columbus to go back

Question 21

What was the first place Columbus spotted?

Answer 21

Spots of a small island that was a part of the Bahamas; San Salvador

Question 22

What title did Columbus get?

Answer 22

“Admiral of the Ocean Sea”

Question 23

What all did Columbus explore?

Answer 23

Caribbean, Central American coast, South America

Question 24

How more times did Columbus return?

Answer 24

3

Question 25

What did Amerigo Vespucci realize in 1502?

Answer 25

That what they were exploring was not Asia but in fact a “New World”; European map makers named the new world America after him

Question 26

What did Vasco Nunez do?

Answer 26

Crossed Panama and became 1st European to see Pacific Ocean from the Americas

Question 27

Where did Ferdinand Magellan die and why?

Answer 27

Died in the Philippines at the hands of Natives, crew didn’t save him

Question 28

What was significant about Ferdinand Magellan’s crew?

Answer 28

1st crew to sail around the world

Question 29

What was the Columbian Exchange?

Answer 29

Mixing of plants, animals, and culture between New and Old worlds