Question 1

On 12 October 1492,Columbus made landfall on an island that the native Taíno called

Accepted Answer

Columbus made landfall on an island called Guanahaní by the native Taíno, which he later renamed San Salvador.

Question 2

The profitable merchandise that Vasco da Gama purchased in India was made up of

Accepted Answer

Vasco da Gama purchased pepper and cinnamon, which were in high demand in Europe at the time. They were considered valuable commodities due to their strong flavor, use in food preservation, and medicinal properties.

Question 3

The explorer who led three expeditions into the Pacific in the eighteenth century was

Accepted Answer

James Cook led three expeditions into the Pacific in the eighteenth century, which were significant in mapping and exploring many previously uncharted areas. Magellan and Drake were explorers in the sixteenth century, while Vasco da Gama and Vasco Nuñez de Balboa explored regions other than the Pacific.

Question 4

Which of the following men conquered the Moroccan port of Ceuta and sponsored a series of voyages down the west African coast?

Accepted Answer

The man who conquered the Moroccan port of Ceuta and sponsored a series of voyages down the west African coast was Henry of Portugal, also known as Henry the Navigator. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who is known for discovering America. Henry VIII was the King of England who reigned from 1509 until his death in 1547. Francis I was the King of France who reigned from 1515 until his death in 1547. Süleyman the Magnificent was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 until 1566.

Question 5

Ferdinand Magellan established a trade route between Mexico and

Accepted Answer

Ferdinand Magellan established a trade route between Mexico and the Philippines during his expedition, which departed from Spain in 1519.

Question 6

Which of the following was NOT one of the main inspirations for European exploration?

Accepted Answer

While Europe did have ambitions to conquer China and India, it was not one of the original inspirations for European exploration. The desire to find new trade routes, resources, and lands suitable for cultivation were the main motivators. Additionally, spreading Christianity was also a major factor for exploration.

Question 7

The Portuguese mariner who sailed to Calicut in 1498 was

Accepted Answer

The Portuguese mariner who sailed to Calicut in 1498 was Vasco da Gama.

Question 8

Portuguese mariners originally developed a strategy called the volta do mar when

Accepted Answer

The volta do mar, or "return through the sea," was a navigational technique developed by Portuguese mariners to sail from the Canaries back to Portugal by taking advantage of the prevailing winds and currents in the North Atlantic.

Question 9

The astrolabe was designed to measure

Accepted Answer

The astrolabe was primarily used to measure the altitude of a celestial body above the horizon, which could then be used to calculate the latitude of the observer.

Question 10

The English explorer James Cook died during a fight in

Accepted Answer

James Cook died during a fight in Hawai`i in 1779. He was attempting to kidnap the island's chief after a dispute over a stolen boat. The conflict resulted in Cook's death and the deaths of several Hawaiians.

Question 11

The Portuguese viewed the Atlantic Ocean islands as the perfect location for the cultivation of

Accepted Answer

The Portuguese viewed Atlantic Ocean islands, such as Madeira and São Tomé, as the perfect location for the cultivation of sugarcane due to the islands' fertile soil and subtropical climate. The cultivation of sugarcane was a profitable industry and played a significant role in the Portuguese exploration and colonization of the Atlantic.

Question 12

Which of the following was NOT a reason for European interest in finding a maritime trade route?

Accepted Answer

The Mongol domination actually facilitated trade along the Silk Roads, as they ensured peace and security along the trade routes.

Question 13

When he reached ________,Columbus sent delegates to seek the court of the emperor of China.

Accepted Answer

When Columbus reached Cuba during his voyages, he sent delegates to seek the court of the emperor of China, mistakenly believing he had reached Asia.

Question 14

The reconquista came to an end in 1492 when

Accepted Answer

The reconquista was a long period of Christian conquest of Muslim territories in the Iberian Peninsula. The Muslim kingdom of Granada was the last stronghold of Islamic rule in the region, and it fell to Spanish Catholic forces in 1492, ending the reconquista. Constantinople and Jerusalem were not part of the Iberian Peninsula and did not have a direct role in the reconquista. The Silk Roads were not connected to the reconquista, which happened mostly in the medieval period. The recapture of northern India by the British happened much later, in the 19th century.

Question 15

The first circumnavigation of the world was completed in 1522 by

Accepted Answer

Ferdinand Magellan initiated the first circumnavigation of the world, but he was killed in the Philippines. The voyage was completed by his crew in 1522, making "Ferdinand Magellan's crew" the correct answer.

Question 16

Christopher Columbus's decision to sail west to reach Asia was based on

Accepted Answer

Columbus miscalculated the distance from the Canary Islands to Japan, and believed he could reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. He did not have assistance from an experienced Muslim sailor, secret information on trade routes, or information gathered after inventing his own astrolabe. The legends from earlier Viking voyages were not specific to reaching Asia via the Atlantic.

Question 17

Most of the actual early exploration of the Pacific Ocean was carried out by the

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most of the actual early exploration of...

Question 18

The most prominent European nation in pursuing early voyages of long-distance exploration was

Accepted Answer

Portugal was the most prominent European nation in pursuing early voyages of long-distance exploration, starting in the 15th century with figures like Prince Henry the Navigator, who initiated the Age of Discoveries.

Question 19

The first European to sail around the Cape of Good Hope was

Accepted Answer

Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, opening the sea route to Asia via the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Question 20

Lateen sails had the advantage of

Accepted Answer

Lateen sails are designed to allow ships to sail closer to the wind, making them more effective in crosswinds compared to square sails, which perform best with wind from behind.

Quiz 22: Transoceanic Encounters and Global Connections