Name:

John Cabot

1 Giovanni Caboto was from Italy and was born in 1450. Sailing the far oceans had just started. In 1461, he took sail to explore the world. In 1492, he learned of the land that was found by Columbus. Yet, he thought that there was a route to Asia that was faster. He plotted a new trip north across the ocean. He believed this would get him to Asia much faster.

2 Cabot asked the king of Spain to fund his journey but was refused. Then he moved to England for better chances of finding money. He spent months looking for investors to fund his travels. Then he altered his name to the English version, John Cabot. He believed this would increase his chances of success. In 1496, he was given funds to explore for King Henry VII.

3 His ship left England the next year and sailed into the Atlantic. Trips across the sea were deadly with many hurdles. Vessels could run out of provisions such as food and fresh water. This caused terrible illness and death. Sailing tools and maps were poor and inaccurate. Many crews were simply afraid of the unknown. Some believed in and ancient myths of monsters. The trip could take many months through strange and violent waters.

4 In 1497, his ship reached the east coast of today’s Canada. Cabot explored the coast and claimed it for England. Cabot was the first English explorer in the New World. He put down a cross on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church. He also saw proof of Natives living in the area. Cabot knew that the new lands offered great natural sources. He was convinced that his expedition had at last reached Asia. He did not know that this was in fact another continent. He quickly packed his men and supplies up for his return to England. Cabot was excited to describe his find to the king. He knew that this discovery would bring him great fame and wealth.

5 Back in England, he told the public wild tales of his exploits. He detailed waters full of fish, a mild climate, and lots of resources. King Henry was so thrilled that he gave funds for another trip. This time, Cabot was to find Chinese cities where spices could be bought and traded for. The spice trade from Europe and Asia was great for England’s wealth. The King wanted him to find Japan and other parts of China. He also felt that these new waters for fishing would bring more money. This new route to Asia would increase trade and speed up the shipping of goods.

6 Cabot and his men set sail for the New World in 1498. One vessel was forced back due to terrible storms. Cabot and his other ships were lost and never seen again. Many tales about Cabot’s fate were told over the years. No one really ever found the truth though. Some believed that his ships sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Others felt that he came back quietly to England. Yet, his travels made many others want to set sail for the resources of the New World.

G4.7 ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 1

John Cabot

G4.7 ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 2

3. What does the word provisions mean in paragraph 3?

A. danger B. supplies C. guide D. water

4. Which of the following would be the best title for paragraph 2?

A. The Spanish Say No B. The Long Voyage Across the Ocean

C. Cabot Searches for Sponsors

D. Name Change

5. Which question would best be answered by this article?

A. How did John Cabot die?

B. Who first explored the New World for England?

C. How did the Spanish explore the New World?

D. How did Europeans run the spice trade?

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

A. to inform you about John Cabot

B. to persuade you that exploring was dangerous

C. to entertain you with a story about Cabot

D. to inform you about Christopher Columbus

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

A. True B. False

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

1. For which nation did John Cabot explore?

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

John Cabot

G4.7 ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 3

10. Which would be the best resource for finding a synonym for the word thrilled in paragraph 5?

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

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

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

12. This article would best be classified as—

A. an autobiography B. nonfiction C. fantasy D. realistic fiction

9. Which of the following could be another title for this article?

A. Discovery of the New World

B. England’s First Explorer

C. An Explorer Disappears D. Raising Money for Exploration

7. Which of the following events happened first?

A. Cabot returns to England

B. Cabot tells King Henry of finding Asia

C. Cabot lands near today’s Canada

D. Cabot disappears at sea

8. Which resource would have more information about the article?

A. an almanac B. a website on Christopher Columbus

C. a thesaurus D. an encyclopedia

Name:

John Cabot *

1 Giovanni Caboto was from Italy and was born in 1450. Sailing the far oceans had just started. In 1461, he took sail to explore the world. In 1492, he learned of the land that was found by Columbus. Yet, he thought that there was a route to Asia that was faster. He plotted a new trip north across the ocean. He believed this would get him to Asia much faster.

2 Cabot asked the king of Spain to fund his journey but was refused. Then he moved to England for better chances of finding money. He spent months looking for investors to fund his travels. Then he altered his name to the English version, John Cabot. He believed this would increase his chances of success. In 1496, he was given funds to explore for King Henry VII.

3 His ship left England the next year and sailed into the Atlantic. Trips across the sea were deadly with many hurdles. Vessels could run out of provisions such as food and fresh water. This caused terrible illness and death. Sailing tools and maps were poor and inaccurate. Many crews were simply afraid of the unknown. Some believed in and ancient myths of monsters. The trip could take many months through strange and violent waters.

4 In 1497, his ship reached the east coast of today’s Canada. Cabot explored the coast and claimed it for England. Cabot was the first English explorer in the New World. He put down a cross on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church. He also saw proof of Natives living in the area. Cabot knew that the new lands offered great natural sources. He was convinced that his expedition had at last reached Asia. He did not know that this was in fact another continent. He quickly packed his men and supplies up for his return to England. Cabot was excited to describe his find to the king. He knew that this discovery would bring him great fame and wealth.

5 Back in England, he told the public wild tales of his exploits. He detailed waters full of fish, a mild climate, and lots of resources. King Henry was so thrilled that he gave funds for another trip. This time, Cabot was to find Chinese cities where spices could be bought and traded for. The spice trade from Europe and Asia was great for England’s wealth. The King wanted him to find Japan and other parts of China. He also felt that these new waters for fishing would bring more money. This new route to Asia would increase trade and speed up the shipping of goods.

6 Cabot and his men set sail for the New World in 1498. One vessel was forced back due to terrible storms. Cabot and his other ships were lost and never seen again. Many tales about Cabot’s fate were told over the years. No one really ever found the truth though. Some believed that his ships sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Others felt that he came back quietly to England. Yet, his travels made many others want to set sail for the resources of the New World.

G4.7* ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 1

John Cabot

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

A. True * B. False

3. What does the word provisions mean in paragraph 3?

A. danger B. supplies * C. guide D. water

4. Which of the following would be the best title for paragraph 2?

A. The Spanish Say No B. The Long Voyage Across the Ocean

C. Cabot Searches for Sponsors *

D. Name Change

5. Which question would best be answered by this article?

A. How did John Cabot die?

B. Who first explored the New World for England? *

C. How did the Spanish explore the New World?

D. How did Europeans run the spice trade?

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

A. to inform you about John Cabot *

B. to persuade you that exploring was dangerous

C. to entertain you with a story about Cabot

D. to inform you about Christopher Columbus

G4.7* ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 2

Directions: Read each question and circle the best answer.

1. For which nation did John Cabot explore?

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

John Cabot

10. Which would be the best resource for finding a synonym for the word thrilled in paragraph 5?

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

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

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

12. This article would best be classified as—

A. an autobiography B. nonfiction * C. fantasy D. realistic fiction

G4.7* ©2015 IntegratedLessons.com 3

7. Which of the following events happened first?

A. Cabot returns to England

B. Cabot tells King Henry of finding Asia

C. Cabot lands near today’s Canada *

D. Cabot disappears at sea

8. Which resource would have more information about the article?

A. an almanac B. a website on Christopher Columbus

C. a thesaurus D. an encyclopedia *

9. Which of the following could be another title for this article?

A. Discovery of the New World

B. England’s First Explorer *

C. An Explorer Disappears D. Raising Money for Exploration