Fabric Trade and Old World Quilts

What was the Silk Road?

• a trade route that went from Northern Africa to eastern Europe

• an ocean current that went from North America to South America

• a trade route that went from Europe to eastern Asia

• a hiking trail that went from the Middle East to South Africa

What was an effect of the global sea trade, which began in 1498?

• Europeans were able to import lots of fabric from China, India, and Japan.

• It became even more difficult for Europeans to get fabric and supplies from Asia.

• People in Asia were able to import more fabric from Europe.

• All trade between Europe and Asia stopped.

Read these sentences from the passage.

"By 1600, Dutch, English, and Portuguese companies were importing lots of silk and cotton from China, India, and Japan. These fabrics quickly became prized items for clothing and home decor, like quilts. Quilts made out of cotton and silk would have been very valuable to people in the 1600s. It would be like owning a fancy car or a vacation home today."

What conclusion can you draw about quilts made from imported materials in the 1600s?

• These quilts were prized for their warmth and practical uses.

• These quilts were expensive and rare, making them status symbols.

• These quilts were not very popular because their materials were so delicate.

• These quilts were less popular in the 1600s than in the 1800s.

Overall, how did the fabrics that Europeans used for quilts change over the centuries?

• At first, Europeans used fabrics that were imported from Asia. Then, they began making their own versions of the Asian fabrics. Then, they started using only local wool to make fabric.

• At first, Europeans used fabrics made from local materials like wool. Then, they imported cotton to make their own cotton fabric locally. Then, they began importing fabric from Asia.

• At first, Europeans used fabrics that they imported from Asia. Then, they used fabrics they made from local materials like wool. Then, they started importing fabrics from Asia again.

• At first, Europeans used fabrics made from local materials like wool. Then, they used fabrics imported from Asia. Then, they made their own versions of the Asian fabrics.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• People in Europe did not like fabrics from Asia because they were too lightweight.

• Trade with Asia changed the fabrics that people in Europe used to made quilts.

• Quilts were unpopular until the 1800s because they were too expensive.

• Quilts from India were more popular than quilts from China in the 1800s.