wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

European Exploration

Total questions: 103

Worksheet time: 3hrs 4mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What were early European explorers who came to North America looking for?

a)

The Silk Road

b)

The Cape of Good Hope

c)

The North Pole

d)

The Northwest Passage

2.
Europeans were trying to find a water route to __________________, they thought that this would make their country rich with its silk, spices, and treasures. 
a)
Asia
b)
America
c)
Antartica
d)
Australia
3.

The trade of goods and ideas between Europe and the Americas in 1400s and 1500s was known as

a)

Mercantilism

b)

Capitalism

c)

Columbian Exchange

d)

The Slave Trade

4.

Which of the following is the definition of mercantilism?

a)

To bring into a country

b)

To ship out of a country

c)

A person who spreads the message of Christianity

d)

An economic policy meant to profit the mother country

5.
Europe is a ______________ that includes countries like Spain, England, and France. 
a)
country
b)
city
c)
continent
d)
state
6.
America was first known as the ______________ to Europeans. 
a)
United States
b)
New World
c)
Atlanta
d)
Canada
7.

What was the main reason that the French traveled to the New World?

a)

To profit from the fur trade

b)

To conquer land

c)

To escape religious persecution

d)

To convert natives to christianity

8.

The area in blue was colonized by which country?

a)

France

b)

Spain

c)

England

d)

Dutch

9.

The area in green was colonized by which country?

a)

France

b)

Spain

c)

England

d)

Dutch

10.

The area in yellow was colonized by which country?

a)

France

b)

Spain

c)

England

d)

Dutch

11.
This term describes the reasons that historical changes happened
a)
Cause
b)

Effect

c)

Events

d)

Providence

12.
This term refers to the outcomes of causes
a)
Effect
b)

Cause

c)

Events

d)

Providence

13.
This terms refers to viewing the world through the eyes of others
a)
Perspective
b)

Foresight

c)

Planning

d)

Exploration

14.
This terms relates to the ideas, customs, and social behaviors of a society
a)
Cultural
b)

Country

c)

Lifestyle

d)

Colonization

15.
The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn more about it
a)
Exploration
b)

Encountering

c)

Conquest

d)

Imperialism

16.
An unexpected meeting between someone or something
a)
Encounter
b)

Colonization

c)

Exploration

d)
Colombian Exchange
17.
Originating or occurring naturally in a place; native
a)

Indigenous

b)

Colony

c)

Biological

d)

Pathogen

18.
the assumption of control of a place or people by force
a)

conquest

b)
circumnavigation
c)
obtained
d)
invasion
19.
This term refers to the process of establishing foreign control over target territories or people for the purpose of expanding influence and land
a)
Colonization
b)

Invasion

c)
Columbian Exchange
d)

Exploration

20.
The process of extending a country's power through diplomacy or military force
a)
Imperialism
b)

Mercantilism

c)
Columbian Exchange
d)
Circumnavigation
21.
This term refers to societies that believe in trading amongst others
a)
Mercantilism
b)

Imperialism

c)

Economics

d)
Columbian Exchange
22.
This term refers to the exchange of diseases, animals, and plants to and from the Americas beginning in the late 1400s
a)

Columbian Exchange

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Economics

d)

Inflation

23.
This term describes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
a)
Economic
b)
Columbian Exchange
c)

Mercantlism

d)

Inflation

24.
This term means having a strong effect on someone or something else
a)

impact

b)
inflation
c)
pathogen
d)
conquest
25.
This term means a general increase in price and a decrease in the purchasing value of money
a)

inflation

b)
upgrade
c)
raise
d)
interest
26.
The animals of a region
a)

fauna

b)
flora
c)
pathogens
d)
mammals
27.
The plants of a region
a)

flora

b)
fauna
c)
pathogens
d)
nature
28.
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause diseases
a)

pathogens

b)
flora
c)
fauna
d)
germ
29.
Concerning living organisms
a)

biologically

b)
flora
c)
fauna
d)
pathogens
30.
Typically used to refer to a different country that you must cross an ocean to visit
a)

overseas

b)
colony
c)
empire
d)
satellite
31.
A word meaning that you acquired something
a)

obtained

b)
gathered
c)
took
d)
stole
32.
Term referring to those from Spain who would take over other areas
a)

conquistadors

b)
imperialists
c)
colonists
d)
invaders
33.
First
a)

primary

b)
premium
c)
secondary
d)
tertiary
34.
Usually meant to describe sailing around the world
a)

circumnavigate

b)
exploration
c)
imperialism
d)
conquest
35.

Which Spanish conquistador defeated the Aztecs?

a)

Francisco Pizarro

b)

Hernando Cortes

c)

Hernando de Soto

d)

Francisco Coronado

36.

Which of the following was NOT a motive for exploration?

a)

spread Christianity

b)

help other nations

c)

build bigger empires

d)

collect items for trade

37.

Who conquered the Incas and founded Lima, Peru?

a)

Hernando Cortes

b)

Juan Ponce de Leon

c)

Francisco Pizarro

d)

Vasco da Gama

38.

This explorer was searching for a fountain of youth.

a)

Louis Joliet

b)

Juan Ponce de Leon

c)

Samuel de Champlain

d)

Jacques Marquette

39.

Which of these was NOT an obstacle explorers faced?

a)

fear

b)

starvation

c)

animal attacks

d)

disease

40.

What was the most important resource explorers were hoping to find in the new world?

a)

silk

b)

corn

c)

gold

d)

Native Americans

41.

Which one is NOT one of the four major countries that dominated the Age of Exploration?

a)

England

b)

France

c)

Europe

d)

Spain

42.

Which one was not one of the 3 G's of exploration?

a)

god

b)

glory

c)

glamour

d)

gold

43.

What was an achievement of European explorers?

a)

claiming new territories

b)

exchanging goods

c)

better ships and navigational tools

d)

All of the these

44.

Why did the Portuguese want to find a sea route to Asia rather than traveling along the route of the Silk Road? (CHOOSE 2.)

a)

A sea route would be faster than the land route.

b)

A sea route would be shorter than the land route.

c)

A sea route was less dangerous than traveling across deserts and mountains.

d)

A sea route would take them north instead of east.

45.

Even though the Vikings were officially the first Europeans to reach North America, why didn't other Europeans such as the Spanish or English know it existed for hundreds of years later?

a)

The Vikings thought other Europeans already knew about it.

b)

The Vikings didn't tell others about it.

c)

The Vikings found lots of gold there and didn't want to share it.

d)

The Vikings were all killed by the natives in Newfoundland.

46.

During the time of the Renaissance, Europeans were curious about things such as __________.

a)

Science

b)

Math

c)

Technology

d)

Art

e)

all of the above

47.

Which invention made navigation easier day or night because it had a magnet pointing north?

a)

compass

b)

gunpowder

c)

caravel

d)

better maps

48.

Which invention was created by cartographers?

a)

compass

b)

gunpowder

c)

caravel

d)

better maps

49.

Which invention made explorers feel safer against enemies?

a)

compass

b)

gunpowder

c)

caravel

d)

better maps

50.

Which invention was a ship that could travel faster with better sails?

a)

compass

b)

gunpowder

c)

caravel

d)

better maps

51.

Which of the following were goals of the Spanish once they found the New World? (CHOOSE 3.) *Remember the 3 G's.

a)

to search for gold and riches

b)

to spread the Christian religion

c)

to meet the new native people

d)

to claim new lands

e)

to find a faster sea route to Asia

52.

Which of the following is an accurate statement about Christopher Columbus's experience while traveling to the New World?

a)

He felt great pride in finding new land and claiming it for Spain.

b)

He successfully traded with the Taino people in San Salvador.

c)

He died in the New World during his last voyage.

d)

He and his crew worked well together to find a sea route to Asia.

53.

What were TWO comparisons between previous Spanish explorers and the Spanish conquistadors?

a)

The goal of conquistadors was to conquer new lands while other explorers were searching for a sea route to Asia.

b)

The goal of other explorers was to conquer new lands while conquistadors were searching for a sea route to Asia.

c)

They were all searching for gold and riches to bring back to Spain.

d)

They were all searching for Asian goods.

54.

Which explorer conquered the Aztec Empire?

a)

Cortez

b)

Pizarro

c)

Balboa

d)

Magellan

55.

________ means to travel all the way around.

a)

Conquistador

b)

Colony

c)

Circumnavigate

d)

Columbian Exchange

56.

______ is the economic system of trading.

a)

Circumnavigate

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Exploration

d)

Colony

57.

A country who builds a settlement in another territory.

a)

Conquistador

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Colony

d)

Circumnavigate

58.

What were some valuable goods that were traded on the Silk Road?

a)

Silk

b)

Food

c)

Ideas

d)

Cars

59.

What was Christopher Columbus' goal exploring west of the Atlantic Ocean?

a)

Find silver and food in Mexico

b)

Find gold and spices in Asia

60.

True or False: Ferdinand Magellan did not make it through his entire voyage around the world.

a)

True

b)

False

61.

What was the goal of Hernan Cortes' expedition?

a)

Sail West to Asia

b)

Circumnavigate around the world

c)

Find gold and conquer the Aztec Empire

62.

What were some POSITIVE outcomes of the Columbian Exchange? Select all that apply.

a)

New foods

b)

Disease

c)

New animals

d)

Medicine

63.

What were some NEGATIVE outcomes of the Columbian Exchange? Select all that apply.

a)

Disease

b)

Medicine

c)

Slashing and burning land for farming

d)

Animals grazing

64.

In ancient societies, what was the main source of slavery? Select all that apply.

a)

Captured people considered to be "goods"

b)

Prisoners of war

c)

People who needed to pay off debts

65.

In chattel slavery, what was the main source of slavery?

a)

Prisoners of war

b)

Captured people considered to be "goods"

c)

People who needed to pay of debts

66.

How many legs are in the Triangular Trade?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

67.

What was the Triangular Trade?

a)

A three-part system of trade that connected Europe , Africa, and the Americas

b)

People who traded triangles

c)

People who traveled in triangles across the ocean

68.

What was the most infamous leg of the Triangular Trade?

a)

The first leg

b)

The Middle Passage

c)

The third leg

69.

Gold, God, and Glory ....

a)

Reasons to explore North America

b)

Reasons to explore route to Asia

c)

Effects of slavery on Native Americans

d)

Effects of European exploration

70.

Which country sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage to America?

a)

Spain

b)

France

c)

England

d)

Portugal

71.
___________ was the first European to reach America in 1492, he had 3 ships on his voyage: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
a)
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
b)
Christopher Columbus
c)
John Cabot
d)
Amerigo Vespucci
72.
America was first known as the ______________ to Europeans. 
a)
United States
b)
New World
c)
Atlanta
d)
Canada
73.
Columbus thought that he had arrived at  ___________, and therefore called the Natives he met Indians.
a)
Cathay
b)
Africa
c)
America
d)
India
74.

Which of the following countries was most successful in creating long-lasting, permanent settlements along the Atlantic coast of North America?

a)

England

b)

France

c)

Portugal

d)

Spain

75.

Which of the following was the initial reason that European countries started exploration?

a)

to find trade routes with the Americas

b)

to find water trade routes to Asia

c)

to find water trade routes to Caribbean Islands

d)

to find trade routes with Canada

76.

What were the 3 Gs for exploration?

a)

God

b)

Glory

c)

Greatness

d)

Gold

77.

• had settlements in Florida, California, and the Southwest • set up missions in order to convert Native Americans to Christianity • were very interested in finding gold

Which European colonial power is described above?

a)

the Spanish

b)

the English

c)

the Dutch

d)

the French

78.

What was the name of the English ship that landed at Plymouth Plantation in 1620?

a)

Mayflower

b)

Discovery

c)

Pinta

d)

Santa Maria

79.

Which of the following colonial settlements was owned and operated by the Dutch West India Company?

a)

Plymouth Plantations

b)

Boston

c)

Jamestown

d)

New Amsterdam

80.

What was one result of new diseases brought to the Americas by Europeans?

a)

American Indians had to live in small groups to avoid becoming sick.

b)

Over 20 million American Indians were forced to move to safer regions.

c)

American Indians had to rely on Europeans for cures for the new illnesses.

d)

Over 20 million American Indians were killed by the new illnesses.

81.

Which European countries were competing to control spice trade?

a)

United States, France, and England

b)

Spain, France, and England

c)

Mexico, England, and France

d)

Mexico, United States, and Canada

82.

Which of the following was a social reason to explore North America?

a)

Look for gold and riches

b)

Control the spice trade

c)

Expand the empire

d)

Spread the Christian religion

83.

Which country sponsored Christopher Columbu's voyage to America?

a)

Spain

b)

France

c)

England

d)

Portugal

84.

Explored Canada, established trading partnership with Native Americans, and attempted to spread Christianity -

a)

Spain

b)

France

c)

England

d)

Netherlands

85.

Word connected to looking for or searching -

a)

Sponsoring

b)

Navigating

c)

Colonizing

d)

Exploring

86.

This man traveled completely around the world (circumnavigated)

a)

Marco Polo

b)

Bartholomew Dias

c)

Ferdinand Magellan

d)

Vasco de Gama

87.

What continent was Christopher Columbus searching for when set sail in 1492?

a)

Australia

b)

Asia

c)

Africa

d)

South America

88.

What European nation was first to begin exploration and had Prince Henry set up a school of Navigation?

a)

England

b)

France

c)

Portugal

d)

Spain

89.

Which instrument was used to tell wind direction, a ship's course, and time of day by using a magnetic needle?

a)

Astrolabe

b)

Compass

c)

Caravel

d)

Sun Dial

90.

Along with navigational devices, what improved Europeans' ability to navigate the open waters, thereby allowing them to dominate travel and trade?

a)

Use of gunpowder

b)

Improved mapmaking and sea charts

c)

Spread of cultural beliefs

d)

Military domination

91.
Which of the following was NOT a reason the early explorers began to make voyages?
a)
To search for gold and riches
b)
To make friends with the Native Americans
c)
To spread their religion
d)
To gain land for their country
92.

Period of European Exploration in the 1500s when explorers set sail across the globe

a)

Triangular Trade

b)

Middle Passage

c)

Age of Discovery

d)

Columbian Exchange

93.

The global transfer of foods, plants, animals during the colonization of the Americas.

a)

Age of Discovery

b)

Columbian Exchange

c)

Triangular Trade

d)

Middle Passage

94.

Trade network that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas

a)

age of discovery

b)

Columbian Exchange

c)

Triangular Trade

d)

Middle Passage

95.

The voyage that brought enslaved Africans to the West Indies and later to North America

a)

Middle Passage

b)

Triangle Trade

c)

Old World

d)

New World

96.

Refers to Europe and Asia prior to the age of exploration

a)

Middle Passage

b)

New World

c)

Old World

d)

Conquistador

97.

Refers to the Americas/Western Hemisphere prior to the age of exploration

a)

New World

b)

Old World

c)

Conquistador

d)

God Gold and Glory

98.

Slogan of the conquistadors that explained their motives for exploration

a)

God Gold and Glory

b)

Slavery

c)

M ercantilism

d)

Conquistador

99.

System of enforced servitude in which Africans were captured and brought to the New World

a)

Slavery

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Nina Pinta and Santa Maria

d)

Aztecs

100.

THe economic theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it imports

a)

Slavery

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Nina Pinta and Santa Maria

d)

Aztecs

101.

A warrior people who dominated the Valley of Mexico from 1100 to 1521

a)

Aztecs

b)

Slavery

c)

Inca

d)

Nina Pinta and Santa Maria

102.

This empire in the Andes Mountains built road systems and the city of Machu Picchu

a)

Aztecs

b)

Inca

c)

Nina Pinta and Santa Maria

d)

Mercantilism

103.

All of the following were characteristics of slavery in Africa BEFORE Europeans EXCEPT.

a)

People in Debt and War Captives were the ones primarily in slavery

b)

Slaves could be considered part of the "Master's" Family

c)

Slaves could purchase their way out of slavery

d)

Slaves were considered sub-human and deserving of their position

Similar Resources on Wayground

Government Final Exam Review

106 questions

Government Final Exam Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

12th Grade

2nd semester Final Review 2019

100 questions

2nd semester Final Review 2019

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th - 12th Grade

803 Social Studies Study Guide

101 questions

803 Social Studies Study Guide

quiz

Worksheet

•

KG - University

Civics & Economics SOL Study Packet

100 questions

Civics & Economics SOL Study Packet

quiz

Worksheet

•

7th Grade - University

US History Semester 2 Final Exam REVIEW 2021

100 questions

US History Semester 2 Final Exam REVIEW 2021

quiz

Worksheet

•

11th Grade

AP Mid-Term Quizizz

98 questions

AP Mid-Term Quizizz

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th Grade

Philosophy Exam Review

100 questions

Philosophy Exam Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th - 12th Grade

US History STAAR Review

107 questions

US History STAAR Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 10th Grade