Christopher Columbus Quiz

Who led the expedition from Spain to the Canary Islands?

• Ferdinand Magellan

• Christopher Columbus

• Marco Polo

• Vasco da Gama

What did Columbus instruct his crew to do if they discovered new lands?

• Claim them for Portugal

• Claim them for Spain

• Claim them for France

• Leave them untouched

How did Columbus reassure his fearful sailors?

• By promising them riches

• By singing sea shanties

• By performing magic tricks

• By giving them extra rations of food

Where did Columbus sail to after leaving San Salvador?

• Asia

• Africa

• Europe

• Other Caribbean islands

Who agreed to sponsor Columbus's expedition in 1492?

• King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain

• King Henry VIII of England

• Queen Elizabeth I of England

• Pope Alexander VI

Why did Columbus believe he could reach the East Indies by sailing west?

• Because he thought the world was flat

• Because he believed the world was round

• Because he thought the East Indies were actually west of Spain

• Because he wanted to explore Africa

What did Columbus name the island?

• San Francisco

• San Salvador

• Santa Maria

• Santa Claus

What did Columbus bring ashore to claim the land for Spain?

• A flag

• A sword

• A crown

• A telescope

Why did Columbus keep a secret log of the true distance traveled?

• To confuse his crew

• To deceive his sponsors

• To hide his miscalculations

• To keep track of their progress

How did Columbus's approach to reaching the East Indies differ from previous expeditions?

• He sailed north

• He sailed south

• He sailed east

• He sailed west