European Exploration and the Compass

What tool did European explorers use to figure out direction?

• D. Sextant

• C. Map

• B. Compass

• A. Telescope

Which direction does a compass needle always point?

• D. West

• C. East

• B. South

• A. North

What did a compass help European explorers do?

• B. Navigate through fog and darkness

• A. Find their location

• D. Communicate with other ships

• C. Measure the speed of their ship

Which of the following is NOT a true fact about compasses?

• A. Compasses are still used today

• B. Sailors use compasses to measure the latitude of the ship

• C. A compass tells a navigator which direction the ship is heading

• D. Compasses are especially useful to explorers in the darkness and fog

What did a compass show even in fog or darkness?

• A. The location of the ship

• D. The depth of the ocean

• B. The speed of the ship

• C. The direction the ship was heading

How did the compass improve long-distance sea travel?

• A. It allowed sailors to stay on course

• B. It increased the speed of the ships

• C. It made the ships more resistant to storms

• D. It provided a way to communicate over long distances

What is the main advantage of using a compass over celestial navigation?

• A. A compass is more accurate

• B. A compass can be used in any weather condition

• C. A compass is easier to carry

• D. A compass does not require any calculations

What material is a compass needle typically made of?

• A. Wood

• B. Plastic

• C. Glass

• D. Magnetized metal

What effect did the invention of the compass have on global trade?

• A. It decreased the volume of trade

• B. It had no impact on trade

• C. It increased the volume of trade

• D. It made trade more dangerous

What is the historical significance of the compass in navigation?

• A. It was only used by pirates

• B. It was the first tool for navigation

• C. It allowed for the discovery of new lands

• D. It was less reliable than celestial navigation