The Age of Exploration

Question 1

Why were spices important in the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

1. They were used to preserve and flavour food.

2. They were used to treat illness, eg. Cloves for a toothache

Question 2

List one reason why Europeans became interested in exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Answer 2

To spread the Christian Religion.
or
To find a new route to the Spice Islands 
or 
To control the spice trade.

Question 3

Why were sailors afraid to travel too far from shore?

Answer 3

1. They were afraid of sailing off the edge of the Earth.
2. Shipwreck.
3. Hunger and starvation from running out of food and fresh water.

Question 4

Name one explorer and one place or route discovered by that explorer.

Answer 4

Christopher Columbus discovered the New World, America.

Question 5

What was a Caravel?

Answer 5

Caravels were a new type of ship. They were smaller, faster and easy to manoeuvre.

Question 6

List three instruments used by sailors in the Middle Ages.

Answer 6

Compass ;Quadrant; Astrolabe; Log and Line

Question 7

What was a log and line used to measure?

Answer 7

speed

Question 8

What was a compass used to measure?

Answer 8

direction

Question 9

What was an astrolabe used to measure?

Answer 9

latitude

Question 10

What was a quadrant used to measure?

Answer 10

latitude

Question 11

Who led the first expedition to sail around (circumnavigate) the world?

Answer 11

Ferdinand Magellan

Question 12

Who was the first European to sail around Africa and reach India?

Answer 12

Vasco de Gama

Question 13

What is another name for the south tip of Africa that de Gama rounded on his trip to India?

Answer 13

The Cape of Good Hope

Question 14

What is cartography?

Answer 14

Cartography is map making and the study of maps.