Influential Explorers Quiz

Who was the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa?

• Vasco da Gama

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Bartolomeu Dias

• Hernán Cortés

__________ was the first explorer to lead an expedition that successfully circumnavigated the globe.

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Christopher Columbus

• Vasco da Gama

• James Cook

Christopher Columbus believed he had reached Asia when he arrived in the Americas.

• True

• False

What was the main goal of European exploration during the Age of Exploration?

• To find new trade routes to Asia

• To spread democracy

• To escape from Europe

• To establish peace treaties

Match the explorer to their accomplishment.

• First to sail around the world

• Hernán Cortés

• Defeated the Aztec Empire

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Claimed land in Canada for England

• Vasco da Gama

• Sailed to India by going around Africa

• John Cabot

Which country sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492?

• Portugal

• Spain

• France

• England

Marco Polo is considered an influential explorer even though he didn’t travel by sea because:

• He wrote detailed accounts of his travels to Asia, inspiring future explorers.

• He discovered new sea routes to the Americas.

• He was the first person to sail around the world.

• He invented new navigation tools.

__________ explored the southeastern United States and is known for crossing the Mississippi River.

• Hernando de Soto

• Francisco Pizarro

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa

• Juan Ponce de León

A major impact of the explorers' voyages on indigenous peoples was:

• increased trade and prosperity

• the spread of diseases and loss of land

• improved technology for indigenous peoples

• the end of all conflicts

One way exploration led to competition among European nations was:

• the search for new trade routes

• the spread of diseases

• the decline of monarchies

• the end of slavery