Exploration and Trade

What is an astrolabe?

• An astrolabe is a device used to measure the distance between two points on a map.

• An astrolabe is a historical astronomical instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies and determine their positions.

• An astrolabe is a type of telescope used to observe distant galaxies.

• An astrolabe is a tool used by astronomers to study the composition of stars.

Answer explanation

The question asks about the definition of an astrolabe. The correct answer states that an astrolabe is a historical astronomical instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies and determine their positions. This answer is accurate as it clearly describes the historical and practical uses of an astrolabe in astronomy.

Who were the conquistadors?

• Portuguese sailors and traders

• English pirates and privateers

• French settlers and missionaries

• Spanish explorers and conquerors

Answer explanation

The term 'conquistadors' refers to the Spanish explorers and conquerors who led military expeditions in the Americas and Asia in the 16th century. They are not Portuguese sailors and traders, English pirates and privateers, or French settlers and missionaries. Hence, the correct answer to the question is 'Spanish explorers and conquerors'.

What was the Middle Passage?

• The Middle Passage was a military conflict between African tribes during the colonial era.

• The Middle Passage was a term used to describe the journey of European explorers to the New World.

• The Middle Passage was the stage of the triangular trade in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade.

• The Middle Passage was a trade route between Europe and Asia.

Answer explanation

The Middle Passage, as the question indicates, refers to a stage in the triangular trade where millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade. This option is correct because it accurately describes the Middle Passage compared to the other options which depict it as a military conflict, a journey of European explorers, or a trade route between Europe and Asia.

What was the Triangular Trade?

• The Triangular Trade was a system of trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia during the medieval era.

• The Triangular Trade was a system of trade between Europe, Asia, and the Americas during the colonial era.

• The Triangular Trade was a system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas during the colonial era.

• The Triangular Trade was a system of trade between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East during the industrial era.

Answer explanation

The Triangular Trade was a significant system during the colonial era, involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Other options mention different regions and eras, but the correct answer accurately refers to these three regions and the colonial period, reflecting the historical movement of goods, including slaves, which is known as the Triangular Trade.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

• A disease that spread throughout Europe during the 15th century

• Widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World.

• A trade agreement between Spain and Portugal

• A war between Native American tribes

Answer explanation

The Columbian Exchange involved a major shift of various elements such as plants, animals, culture, people, technology, and ideas across the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World. It was not just a disease, a trade agreement, or a war between Native American tribes. Its impact was broader and more significant, encompassing various aspects of life and civilization across multiple continents.

What is mercantilism?

• A religious doctrine emphasizing the importance of charity and selflessness in economic transactions.

• An economic theory and practice promoting government regulation of a nation's economy for wealth accumulation through exports and precious metals.

• A political theory advocating for the abolition of government regulation in the economy.

• A social movement promoting equal distribution of wealth among all citizens.

Answer explanation

Mercantilism is an economic theory and practice that involves government regulation of a nation's economy with the goal of accumulating wealth through exports and precious metals. It is not a religious doctrine, a theory advocating for the abolition of government regulation, or a social movement promoting equal distribution of wealth.

What is the Old World?

• Continents of Europe, Asia, and Australia.

• Continents of North America, South America, and Australia.

• Continents of North America, South America, and Africa.

• Continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Answer explanation

The Old World is a term referring to those parts of the world known to Europeans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus; it includes Europe, Asia, and Africa. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa.'

What is the New World?

• The Americas

• Europe

• Asia

• Africa

Answer explanation

The term 'New World' is historically used to refer to the Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas. Hence, the correct answer to the question 'What is the New World?' is 'The Americas'. The other options - Europe, Asia, and Africa - are part of the Old World, which is the Eastern Hemisphere.

What is cartography?

• The study and practice of creating maps.

• The study and practice of designing buildings.

• The study and practice of analyzing data.

• The study and practice of conducting surveys.

Answer explanation

Cartography refers to the study and practice of creating maps. In the given question, among the provided options, the correct answer aligns only with this definition, thereby making 'The study and practice of creating maps' the appropriate choice.

What is the significance of exploration in history?

• Exploration in history is insignificant because it only led to conflicts and wars.

• Exploration in history is significant because it helped spread diseases and epidemics.

• Exploration in history is insignificant because it did not contribute to any scientific advancements.

• Exploration in history is significant because it has led to the discovery of new lands, cultures, resources, and trade routes.

Answer explanation

The question is about the importance of exploration in history. The correct answer highlights that exploration is significant as it led to the discovery of new lands, cultures, resources, and trade routes. This asserts the role exploration had in shaping the world as we know it today, contrary to the other options which claim it was insignificant or led to negative outcomes.