World Explorers

The Portuguese navigator _______________ made three sea voyages to India between 1497 and 1524. His voyages opened a sea route from Western Europe to the East and made Portugal a world power.

• Christopher Columbus
• Vasco da Gama
• Amerigo Vespucci
• Ferdinand Magellan

Answer explanation

Vasco da Gama

English explorer and navigator ________________________ made four difficult and dangerous sea voyages seeking a shortcut from Europe to the Far East. Although he failed to find it, his adventures added greatly to knowledge of the Arctic and North America.

• Henry Hudson

• Amerigo Vespucci
• Vasco da Gama
• Christopher Columbus

Answer explanation

Henry Hudson

He was an explorer from Portugal. He and his sailors were the first Europeans to cross the Pacific Ocean. One of his ships made the first trip around the world, though he did not live to complete the voyage.

• Ferdinand Magellan
• Amerigo Vespucci
• Vasco da Gama
• Christopher Columbus

Answer explanation

Ferdinand Magellan

He was one of the most important European explorers before Christopher Columbus. He led the first European expedition around the southern tip of Africa. This opened the way for sea trade between Europe and Asia.

• Bartolomeu Dias
• Leif Erikson
• Marco Polo
• Amerigo Vespucci

Answer explanation

Bartolomeu Dias

The Spanish conquistador (conqueror) _______________________ was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. He also helped to found the first successful European colony on the mainland of the Americas.

• Vasco Núñez de Balboa
• Ferdinand Magellan
• Francisco Pizarro
• Hernán Cortés

Answer explanation

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

He opened the world of the Americas to his fellow Europeans.

• Amerigo Vespucci
• Christopher Columbus
• Marco Polo
• Ferdinand Magellan

Answer explanation

Christopher Columbus