European Explorers

Choose the situation that was NOT a hardship for the early European explorers.

• deadly diseases

• lack of food onboard their ships

• conflicts with Native Americans

• no internet connection

Choose all situations that were hardships for early European explorers?

• Poor navigation could lead to going the wrong direction and/or being lost at sea.

• Violent storms could tear apart/sink sailing ships.

• Some Native American tribes were welcoming and helpful to explorers.

• Explorers were not used to the cold, harsh winters in some parts of North America, and many died within the first year.

Read the following paragraph. Then answer the question that follows.

Amerigo Vespucci made many contributions to European exploration. During his second voyage, sponsored by Portugal, Vespucci mapped many miles of South American coastline. He was also able to correctly calculate the distance around the Earth at the Equator. Although his methods for measurement are unknown, his figures were very accurate, within 50 miles of the actual distance.

What is the main idea of the passage?

Why did explorers want to explore the world?

• They wanted to test out their new boats.

• They wanted to worship God and spread their religion to other parts of the world.

• They wanted to go to the United States.

• They wanted to make friends with new people.

Read the passage, then answer the question that follows.

Early explorers sailed on lengthy voyages that were full of dangers. Explorers might run out of food and drinking water, or even get sick. Unfortunately, many died from illness. Many more died from conflicts and fighting with native people.

Colonists had to plant crops and work the land in order to survive. In the beginning, it was very difficult and they often went hungry, and many starved. As time went on, and more explorers and settlers came, people became better at taking care of themselves, and they ended up building a whole new world.

According to this passage, why did many colonists die early on?

• "Explorers might run out of food and drinking water, or even get sick."

• "Colonists had to plant crops and work the land in order to survive. In the beginning, it was very difficult and they often went hungry, and many starved."

The "New World" was made up of what two continents, as we know them now?

• Europe and Asia

• Africa and North America

• North America and South America

• South America and Antarctica

Look at the map. Then choose the European country that sponsored the most explorations.

• Spain

• England

• France

Choose the adjectives that might best describe the character/personalities of the explorers.

• adventurous

• lazy

• motivated

• irresponsible

How did the explorers travel to find new lands?

• mini-vans

• horses

• ships

• airplanes

Which one of these does not belong?

• glory

• God

• boats

• gold