Unit 2 Test : European Exploration & Colonization

European explorers were searching for

• A faster route to Asia

• Native Americans

• Maps

• Their ancestors

Answer explanation

European explorers sought a faster route to Asia to access valuable trade goods like spices and silk. This quest for a more efficient path was a primary motivation for their voyages, making 'A faster route to Asia' the correct answer.

Which of these was not a reason or motivation for exploration?

• Riches

• Fame

• Religion

• war

Answer explanation

War was not a primary motivation for exploration. The main drivers were the pursuit of riches, fame, and the spread of religion, while war typically resulted from conflicts rather than being a reason for exploration itself.

Why did Columbus want to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean?

• He wanted to discover the New World.

• The king and queen ordered him to make the trip.

• He wanted to prove the world was round.

• He wanted to find a shorter trade route to China, Japan and India.

Answer explanation

Columbus aimed to find a shorter trade route to Asia, specifically China, Japan, and India, believing that sailing west would provide a more direct path than the existing routes around Africa.

Spanish explorers were called ____ because they conquered the lands they visited.

Answer explanation

Spanish explorers were called 'Conquistadors' because they were known for conquering and claiming lands in the Americas during their expeditions.

Coronado’s expedition through Texas was considered a failure because —

• buffalo herds were not sighted

• no gold was found

• the Grand Canyon was not reached

• many Spaniards died

Answer explanation

Coronado's expedition is deemed a failure primarily because no gold was found, which was a key objective of the journey. The absence of gold led to disappointment and a lack of significant rewards from the expedition.

How did trading with Native Americans make Europeans gain more wealth?

• Europeans set up trading posts in the new world so that they could exchange resources with the Native Americans.

• European explorers came to the new world to conquer new lands.

• Explorers thought they were sailing to Asia.

• Europeans began looking for a quicker and safer way to get to Asia.

Answer explanation

The correct choice explains that Europeans established trading posts to exchange resources with Native Americans, directly linking to the cause of making Europeans rich through trade.

What is another word for conquerer?

• Conquistador

• empresario

• cartographer

• Explorer

Answer explanation

The term 'conquistador' specifically refers to a conqueror, particularly in the context of Spanish explorers who conquered parts of the Americas. The other options do not convey the same meaning.

The first ____ explorer to visit Texas was Sieur de La Salle.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'French' because Sieur de La Salle was a French explorer known for his expeditions in Texas, making him the first French explorer to visit the region.

La Salle followed the ____ to the Gulf of Mexico.

Answer explanation

La Salle followed the Mississippi River to reach the Gulf of Mexico, as it was the primary waterway leading to that region during his explorations.

Which Native Americans held deVaca and his crew captive?

• Jumano

• Caddo

• Tonkawa

• Karankawa

Answer explanation

The Karankawa were the Native Americans who captured deVaca and his crew during their journey in the early 16th century. This group was known for their interactions with early European explorers in the Gulf Coast region.