Explorers: Marco Polo, Columbus, and Ibn Battuta

Where was Marco Polo born?

• France

• Italy

• Spain

• Portugal

Answer explanation

Marco Polo was born in Venice, which is in Italy. This makes Italy the correct answer, as the other options—France, Spain, and Portugal—are not his birthplace.

Which country did Marco Polo visit that made him famous?

• India

• China

• Japan

• Egypt

Answer explanation

Marco Polo is famous for his travels to China, where he documented the culture, trade, and wealth of the region in his book 'The Travels of Marco Polo'. His experiences in China significantly contributed to his fame.

What did Marco Polo do after returning from his travels?

• He became a king.

• He wrote a book.

• He built a ship.

• He opened a school.

Answer explanation

After returning from his travels, Marco Polo wrote a book titled 'The Travels of Marco Polo', which detailed his experiences and observations in Asia, particularly in China.

Which continent did Columbus discover in 1492?

• Asia

• Africa

• Americas

• Australia

Answer explanation

In 1492, Christopher Columbus embarked on his voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, which led to the European discovery of the Americas, making 'America' the correct answer. He did not discover Asia, Africa, or Australia.

How many ships did Columbus take on his voyage?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Columbus took 3 ships on his voyage: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. This is a well-documented fact about his historic journey in 1492.

Where was Ibn Battuta born?

• Morocco

• Turkey

• Egypt

• Algeria

How long did it take Ibn to recover from diarrhea?

• 2 years

• 6 months

• 1 year

• 18 months

What did Ibn Battuta do when he finished traveling?

• He became a teacher.

• He returned to Morocco and wrote about his journeys.

• He started a business.

• He became a king.

Answer explanation

After his extensive travels, Ibn Battuta returned to Morocco where he documented his experiences and adventures in a famous travelogue, providing valuable insights into the cultures and places he visited.

Which leader did Marco Polo meet in China?

• Genghis Khan

• Kublai Khan

• Amir Khan

• Qin Shi Huang

Answer explanation

Marco Polo met Kublai Khan, the Mongol leader and grandson of Genghis Khan, during his travels in China. Kublai Khan ruled the Yuan Dynasty and was known for his openness to foreign cultures.

Where was Christopher Columbus from?

Answer explanation

Christopher Columbus was from Genoa, which is in present-day Italy. His voyages across the Atlantic Ocean led to the European awareness of the American continents.