Name:

John Cabot

1 Giovanni Caboto was born in Italy in 1450 at a strange time. Men had set sail, exploring the oceans on behalf of countries of Europe. In 1461, he took to the seas for the danger of exploration. Then, news of Columbus’s voyage in 1492 reached Europe and changed minds for good. Caboto was convinced that there was a faster route to Asia from Europe.

2 Though, the Spanish monarchy refused to fund his voyage. Thus, he moved to England to find wealthy investors willing to lend money. This search took several months, causing his frustration to deepen. To increase his chances of finding sponsors, he changed his name to the English version, or John Cabot. Then in 1496, Cabot was granted money to explore for King Henry VII.

3 In 1497, Cabot’s ship sailed west into the Atlantic Ocean. Journeys across the ocean were fraught with danger and held many obstacles for crews. Many ships exhausted supplies, such as food and fresh water. This caused severe illness, death, and malnutrition. Navigational equipment and maps were very poor and incorrect. Many crews were simply afraid of the unknown and believed in superstitions and myths. The journey could take many months through strange and violent waters.

4 In June of 1497, Cabot’s ship reached today’s Newfoundland, Canada. He explored the coast and claimed the land for England, being the first to explore the New World for English. He planted a cross for the Roman Catholic Church as he planned for the new lands to be Catholic. Quickly, he found evidence of Native people living in the area and grasped that the land was of great natural resources. Cabot believed that he had finally reached Asia and prepared for fame and rewards.

5 Back in England, Cabot and his men told stories of bountiful fish, a mild climate, and ample resources. King Henry was so thrilled that he gave Cabot the backing for another mission. The English knew that these new waters packed with fish would bring more wealth to their nation and improve their economy. Also, the spice trade between Europe and Asia was crucial for England. The King ordered him to locate Japan and other parts of China. He believed this new route to Asia would increase trade and speed up the transportation of goods.

6 In 1498, Cabot and his men set sail for the New World. Although, he and his crew disappeared and were never seen again.

G7.4 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 1

There were many stories about Cabot’s fate but no one really ever found the truth. Many believed that his expedition sunk somewhere in the north Atlantic. However, because of John Cabot’s exploration many Europeans were now prepared to cross the Atlantic for the resources of the New World.

A. Spain B. England C. Italy D. France

1. For which nation did John Cabot explore?

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

John Cabot

G7.4 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 2

6. Using context clues, what does the word obstacles mean in paragraph 3?

A. entrance B. barrier C. guide D. access

7. What was the author’s purpose for writing this article?

A. to inform you about the first English explorer

B. to convince you thatexploring was dangerous

C. to entertain you with astory about a man’s journey

D. to inform you aboutChristopher Columbus

4. Who paid for Cabot's second journey?

A. King Henry B. the Spanish C. the Church

5. What area of the New World did Cabot explore?

A. Japan B. the Pacific Coast C. China D. Newfoundland

D. he paid for it himself

2. True or False. King Henry VII was excited about Cabot’s discovery.

A. True B. False

A. he did nothing for theChurch

B. forced Natives to beChristian

C. preached about religion D. planted a cross

3. What did Cabot do for the Church?

John Cabot

G7.4 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 3

11. Which of the following statements would be the best addition to paragraph 5?

A. The waters of Europe were over-fished and the New World had a wealth of seafood to sell in Europe.

B. The Spanish shippedtons of gold back to Spain.

C. King Henry VII did notwant to fund Cabot’ssecond expedition.

12. Which sentence from the article is an opinion?

A. In June of 1497, Cabot’sship reached today’sNewfoundland, Canada.

B. He believed this new route to Asia would increase trade and speed up the transportation of goods.

C. In 1498, Cabot and hismen set sail for the NewWorld.

13. What question is not answered in paragraph 3?

A. How many ships sank during exploration?

B. What were someobstacles to exploration?

C. What were sailorsafraid of?

D. Cabot and his crewprobably perished in violentstorms.

D. Were voyages across theocean dangerous?

D. He planted a cross for theRoman Catholic Church as heplanned for the new lands tobe Catholic.

10. Which would be the best resource to find a synonym for the word crucial from paragraph 5?

A. a dictionary B. a thesaurus C. an encyclopedia D. an almanac

8. Which paragraph contains information about King Henry VII funding Cabot’s second expedition?

A. paragraph 5 B. paragraph 6 C. paragraph 4 D. paragraph 3

9. Which resource would be the best for more information about the article?

A. an atlas B. a website onChristopher Columbus

C. a book on Canada D. a website on England exploring the New World

Name:

John Cabot *

1 Giovanni Caboto was born in Italy in 1450 at a strange time. Men had set sail, exploring the oceans on behalf of countries of Europe. In 1461, he took to the seas for the danger of exploration. Then, news of Columbus’s voyage in 1492 reached Europe and changed minds for good. Caboto was convinced that there was a faster route to Asia from Europe.

2 Though, the Spanish monarchy refused to fund his voyage. Thus, he moved to England to find wealthy investors willing to lend money. This search took several months, causing his frustration to deepen. To increase his chances of finding sponsors, he changed his name to the English version, or John Cabot. Then in 1496, Cabot was granted money to explore for King Henry VII.

3 In 1497, Cabot’s ship sailed west into the Atlantic Ocean. Journeys across the ocean were fraught with danger and held many obstacles for crews. Many ships exhausted supplies, such as food and fresh water. This caused severe illness, death, and malnutrition. Navigational equipment and maps were very poor and incorrect. Many crews were simply afraid of the unknown and believed in superstitions and myths. The journey could take many months through strange and violent waters.

4 In June of 1497, Cabot’s ship reached today’s Newfoundland, Canada. He explored the coast and claimed the land for England, being the first to explore the New World for English. He planted a cross for the Roman Catholic Church as he planned for the new lands to be Catholic. Quickly, he found evidence of Native people living in the area and grasped that the land was of great natural resources. Cabot believed that he had finally reached Asia and prepared for fame and rewards.

5 Back in England, Cabot and his men told stories of bountiful fish, a mild climate, and ample resources. King Henry was so thrilled that he gave Cabot the backing for another mission. The English knew that these new waters packed with fish would bring more wealth to their nation and improve their economy. Also, the spice trade between Europe and Asia was crucial for England. The King ordered him to locate Japan and other parts of China. He believed this new route to Asia would increase trade and speed up the transportation of goods.

6 In 1498, Cabot and his men set sail for the New World. Although, he and his crew disappeared and were never seen again.

A. Spain B. England * C. Italy D. France

G7.4* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 1

There were many stories about Cabot’s fate but no one really ever found the truth. Many believed that his expedition sunk somewhere in the north Atlantic. However, because of John Cabot’s exploration many Europeans were now prepared to cross the Atlantic for the resources of the New World.

1. For which nation did John Cabot explore?

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

John Cabot

6. Using context clues, what does the word obstacles mean in paragraph 3?

A. entrance B. barrier * C. guide D. access

7. What was the author’s purpose for writing this article?

A. to inform you about thefirst English explorer *

B. to convince you thatexploring was dangerous

C. to entertain you with astory about a man’s journey

D. to inform you aboutChristopher Columbus

G7.4* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 2

2. True or False. King Henry VII was excited about Cabot’s discovery.

A. True * B. False

A. he did nothing for theChurch

B. forced Natives to beChristian

C. preached about religion D. planted a cross *

3. What did Cabot do for the Church?

4. Who paid for Cabot's second journey?

A. King Henry * B. the Spanish C. the Church

5. What area of the New World did Cabot explore?

A. Japan B. the Pacific Coast C. China D. Newfoundland *

D. he paid for it himself

John Cabot

11. Which of the following statements would be the best addition to paragraph 5?

A. The waters of Europewere over-fished and theNew World had a wealth ofseafood to sell in Europe. *

B. The Spanish shippedtons of gold back to Spain.

C. King Henry VII did notwant to fund Cabot’ssecond expedition.

12. Which sentence from the article is an opinion?

A. In June of 1497, Cabot’sship reached today’sNewfoundland, Canada.

B. He believed this newroute to Asia wouldincrease trade and speed upthe transportation of goods.*

C. In 1498, Cabot and hismen set sail for the NewWorld.

13. What question is not answered in paragraph 3?

A. How many ships sankduring exploration? *

B. What were someobstacles to exploration?

C. What were sailorsafraid of?

D. Cabot and his crewprobably perished in violentstorms.

G7.4* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 3

D. Were voyages across theocean dangerous?

D. He planted a cross for theRoman Catholic Church as heplanned for the new lands tobe Catholic.

8. Which paragraph contains information about King Henry VII funding Cabot’s second expedition?

A. paragraph 5 * B. paragraph 6 C. paragraph 4 D. paragraph 3

9. Which resource would be the best for more information about the article?

A. an atlas B. a website onChristopher Columbus

C. a book on Canada D. a website on England exploring the New World *

10. Which would be the best resource to find a synonym for the word crucial from paragraph 5?

A. a dictionary B. a thesaurus * C. an encyclopedia D. an almanac