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Age of Exploration Unit Test

Total questions: 30

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Use the map to answer the question. Which explorer discovered the area marked IV on the map?

a)

John Cabot

b)

Jacques Cartier

c)

Christopher Columbus

d)

Henry Hudson

2.

What was one difference between John Cabot and Christopher Columbus?

a)

John Cabot sailed for England, while Christopher Columbus sailed for Spain.

b)

John Cabot sailed for Spain, while Christopher Columbus sailed for England.

c)

John Cabot sailed for France, while Christopher Columbus sailed for England.

d)

John Cabot sailed for England, while Christopher Columbus sailed for France.

3.

During the Age of Exploration, what MOST LIKELY caused the American Indian 

        population to decrease (go down)?

a)

the practice of forcing American Indian children to learn Spanish

b)

the loss of the large buffalo population

c)

the taking of American Indians’ lands

d)

the introduction of certain diseases to American Indians

4.

Use the map to answer the question. Which explorer discovered the area marked II on the map ?

a)

Hernando de Soto

b)

Christopher Columbus

c)

Henry Hudson

d)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

5.

Why was it difficult for early European explorers, such as John Cabot and

Christopher Columbus, to plan their journeys to the Americas?

a)

They could not build big enough ships to hold all of their supplies.

b)

They did not have maps that could show them where to go.

c)

They had to pay for their ships and supplies by themselves.

d)

They did not have the skills needed to find food on their voyages.

6.

Which of the following BEST explains the difference between why the Spanish

explored the New World and why the French explored it?

a)

The Spanish wanted Natives to bring back to Spain, while the French wanted to spread Christianity.

b)

The Spanish wanted to trade with American Indians, while the French wanted to start colonies.

c)

The Spanish wanted to start colonies, while the French wanted warriors to join their army.

d)

The Spanish wanted to spread Christianity, while the French wanted to trade and make money.

7.

What was the MAIN cause of conflict between European settlers and many

American Indians over land?

a)

Each had different ways of dividing land.

b)

Each had different uses for the land.

c)

Each had different ideas about owning land.

d)

Each had different ways of gaining land.

8.

What was the MAIN goal of Spanish Explorer Hernando de Soto's voyage to the

southeastern part of North America?

a)

to locate the Mississippi River and to capture American Indians

b)

to start a French colony and get American Indians to become Christians

c)

To conquer Floridia and find gold and riches for Spain

d)

to trade with Spanish colonies and become rich

9.

What was Henry Hudson’s accomplishments?

a)

He discovered the Hudson River and Hudson Bay.

b)

He discovered the Northwest passage and found gold.

c)

He discovered the Pacific Ocean.

d)

He discovered the St. Lawrence River.

10.

Use the map to answer the question. Which British explorer visited the area marked by an “X”?

a)

Hernando de Soto

b)

John Cabot

c)

Christopher Columbus

d)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

11.

What did Vasco Núñez de Balboa accomplish during his exploration?

a)

He became the first European to explore South America.

b)

He became the first European to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

c)

He became the first European to explore Asia.

d)

He became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean.

12.

Whose accomplishment was being the first explorer to cross the Mississippi

River?

a)

John Cabot

b)

Christopher Columbus

c)

Hernando de Soto

d)

Henry Hudson

13.

Use the image to answer the question. Which explorer MOST LIKELY encountered this obstacle on their voyage?

a)

Christopher Columbus

b)

Henry Hudson

c)

Hernando de Soto

d)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

14.

Which of the following is one outcome of trade between the Spanish and American

Indians?

a)

The Spanish introduced the horse to the American Indians.

b)

The Spanish traded gold with American Indians to be used as jewelry.

c)

The Spanish began building their homes using clay.

d)

The Spanish traded gold with American Indians to be used as jewelry.

15.

What was one reason that many Spanish explorers traveled to North America?

a)

They wanted to visit places they read about in their holy books.

b)

They wanted to find a place to practice their religions freely.

c)

They wanted to learn about the religions followed by American Indians.

d)

They wanted to spread Christianity to people who lived in the area.

16.

Use the information to answer the question. Which of the following explorers is being described in this quote.

a)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

b)

Hernando de Soto

c)

John Cabot

d)

Henry Hudson

17.

Use the image to answer the question. What event in Christopher Columbus’ explorations is MOST LIKELY shown in this   

        painting? 

a)

the discovery of the Northwest Passage

b)

the French colonization of Canada

c)

the English colonization of America

d)

the arrival of Europeans in the New World

18.

Use the information to answer the question. Which of the following is the BEST title for this list?

a)

Reasons for American Independence

b)

Reasons for Exploration

c)

Reasons for Trade

d)

Reasons for Native American Protections

19.

Which of the following rivers did Jacques Cartier discover?

a)

Hudson River

b)

Mississippi River

c)

St. Lawrence River

d)

Ohio River

20.

How did the fur trade benefit both the French and the American Indians?

a)

The French taught American Indians to speak French and allowed them to attend their schools if they agreed to help them find furs.

b)

American Indians built houses that were more advanced than those the French used, and in exchange, the French traded them part of the food they caught.

c)

The French were better boat builders, so their boats helped American Indians find furs quicker and more easily.

d)

American Indians were better at trapping than the French, and in exchange for their help they received goods they could not make.

21.

Jacques Cartier explored the New World in the name of which country?

a)

Spain

b)

Portugal

c)

England

d)

France

22.

Use the information to answer the question. Which explorer is MOST LIKELY being described in the quote?

a)

Hernando de Soto

b)

Henry Hudson

c)

Jacques Cartier

d)

John Cabot

23.

What was one accomplishment of Jacques Cartier’s exploration for France?

a)

He began the fur trade with Native Americans.

b)

He explored the Hudson River.

c)

He discovered gold in what is today Canada.

d)

He found the Northwest Passage to Asia.

24.

Use the map to answer the question. Which of the following explorers would MOST LIKELY have benefited from this map?

a)

Hernando de Soto

b)

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

c)

John Cabot

d)

Henry Hudson

25.

Why was it important for European explorers to bring a lot of food and supplies with them on their journeys to North America?

a)

Explorers did not have the skills needed to find food and supplies.

b)

Explorers wanted to have gifts to give Native Americans.

c)

Explorers did not know how long it would take them to reach land.

d)

Explorers believed they would become rich by selling these goods.

26.

Use the image to answer the question. Based on your knowledge of Hernando de Soto’s exploration, what event is taking place in this image?

a)

the first time Europeans met American Indians

b)

the first time Europeans used the Northwest Passage

c)

the first time Europeans saw the Pacific Ocean

d)

the first time Europeans reached the Mississippi River

27.

Why did many explorers look for the Northwest Passage?

a)

to claim land for their country

b)

to find gold

c)

to search for the coldest climate

d)

to find a quicker route to Asia

28.

Which environmental challenges did Vasco de Balboa’s expedition have to overcome during their journey?

a)

the dense jungles of present-day Panama

b)

the rough waters of the St. Lawrence River

c)

the cold temperatures of the Arctic Region

d)

the glaciers in current day Canada

29.

Did Columbus meet the goals set out for his voyage by the king and queen? Why or why not?

a)

Yes, because he found land that was good for farming.

b)

Yes, because he traded with American Indians for furs.

c)

No, because he did not find a sea route to Asia.

d)

No, because he did not find any oil or coal.

30.

What crops did the Native Americans teach the Europeans how to grow?

a)

Corn, squash, and cabbage

b)

Corn, squash, and berries

c)

Corn, carrots, and beans

d)

Corn, squash, and beans