Vasco da Gama: Explorer's Journey Quiz

Why was the sea route to India so important for Portugal during Vasco da Gama's time?

• To find new vacation spots
• To revolutionize trade and reduce transportation costs
• To collect exotic animals
• To prove ships could sail long distances

What made traditional spice trade routes challenging before maritime exploration?

• They were expensive, long, and dangerous
• Ships were too small
• Traders didn't know how to navigate
• Spices were not valuable

What skills did Vasco da Gama develop as a young boy that helped him become an explorer?

• Cooking and farming
• Navigation and mathematics
• Sword fighting and horseback riding
• Language translation

What was the primary goal of the King of Portugal in sending Vasco da Gama on his voyage?

• To discover new lands
• To find a sea route to India by sailing around Africa
• To defeat rival explorers
• To collect rare treasures

How did explorers like Vasco da Gama contribute to human knowledge?

• By collecting gold
• By fighting wars
• By connecting different cultures
• By building large ships

What made Vasco da Gama's family background unique?

• They were poor farmers
• His father was also a famous explorer
• They were musicians
• They lived in a different country

What potential benefits did Portugal see in establishing a new sea route?

• Expanding Portuguese influence
• Creating tourist destinations
• Building more ships
• Learning new languages

How did explorers like da Gama prepare for long sea journeys?

• By packing lots of entertainment
• By studying maps and maritime techniques
• By bringing large armies
• By avoiding planning

What character traits were important for explorers during this time?

• Being lazy and cautious
• Being brave and curious
• Being aggressive and loud
• Being secretive and quiet

Why were spices from India considered extremely valuable?

• They were rare and difficult to transport
• They were used as currency
• They were poisonous
• They were only grown by royalty