WorksheetsAge of Exploration Quiz
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Why might a ruler send ships across the ocean during the Age of Exploration?
To find gold, spices, and new lands to make their nation rich and powerful
To keep all ships docked at home so the nation spends less money
To avoid meeting people from other lands and stay isolated
To practice sailing without any purpose beyond recreation
Match each term from the Important Vocabulary section with its correct meaning.
Northwest Passage
A hoped-for northern sea route connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and leading to Asia
Resources
Valuable things a country needs or wants, such as gold, silver, spices, fish, timber, or fertile land
Colony/Colonization
A settlement or territory controlled by another country; sending people to settle and take land
Route
A path or course that someone travels, like a ship's voyage across the ocean
Claim
When a country declares that it owns a piece of land or territory
Select all reasons given for exploring the Western Hemisphere.
Finding a faster way to reach Asia to buy valuable goods like spices and silk
Hoping to find a northern sea route to Asia that would make them rich
Seeking gold, silver, fish, timber, and fertile land
Gaining power and respect among other nations
Traveling to escape paying taxes at home
Which region did Columbus explore during his voyages?
The Caribbean islands and nearby coasts of Central and South America
The northeastern coast of North America near Newfoundland
The Arctic Ocean and the northern coast of Asia
The western coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean
What did Columbus believe he could do by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean?
Reach Asia and find a faster trade route for Spain
Discover the Northwest Passage along the northern coast of North America
Map the entire Pacific Ocean before anyone else
Settle permanent colonies in Europe
What was Cabot searching for when he sailed for England?
The northwest passage, a hoped-for northern route to Asia
A southern route around Africa to the Indian Ocean
A land route across Europe to China
A way to reach the Caribbean from Spain
Which area’s resources did Cabot explore that were described as very valuable?
The rich fishing grounds off Newfoundland
The gold mines of Central America
Silk markets in China
Spice islands in the Indian Ocean
Which country sponsored Jacques Cartier's voyages?
France
Spain
Portugal
England
During which time period did Jacques Cartier explore?
1510–1513
1500–1501
1534–1542
1545–1550
What area did Cartier explore according to the notes?
Brazil on the coast of South America
The Isthmus of Panama and the Pacific Ocean coast
The Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River in present-day Canada
The Mediterranean Sea
Which country did Pedro Cabral sail for?
France
Spain
Portugal
England
What place did Pedro Cabral explore?
The Gulf of St. Lawrence
Brazil on the coast of South America
The Isthmus of Panama
The Arctic Ocean
Why was Cabral sailing when he reached Brazil, as explained in the notes?
To search for the northwest passage
To cross the Isthmus of Panama
To sail to India to find spices and trade goods for Portugal
To map the Arctic Circle
Which country sponsored Balboa, according to the notes?
France
Spain
Portugal
England
What region did Balboa explore?
Brazil on the coast of South America
The Gulf of St. Lawrence
The Isthmus of Panama and the Pacific Ocean coast
The Mississippi River
What was one reason Balboa sailed, according to the notes?
To find a way across land to reach the ocean on the other side
To map present-day Canada
To sail to India for spices
To claim land for Portugal
Which important discovery did Balboa find?
He proved there was no ocean beyond Panama
He reached the Pacific Ocean by crossing the Isthmus of Panama
He discovered the Gulf of St. Lawrence
He sailed around Africa
According to the notes, which statements describe effects for European countries? Select all that apply.
European countries competed to claim the most land and resources
Countries became richer and more powerful through trade and resources
Their lands were claimed by European countries
New trade routes were established
Which statements describe effects on Indigenous Peoples, based on the notes? Select all that apply.
European arrival brought big changes to Native American communities
Indigenous peoples had diseases, warfare, and colonization forced upon them
Countries became richer and more powerful
The Age of Exploration connected Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas
Which statements describe effects for the world, according to the notes? Select all that apply.
New trade routes were established
The Age of Exploration connected Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas
Their lands were claimed by European countries
European countries competed to claim the most land and resources
