Age of Exploration ReviewMrs. Corino

5th Grade

Explain what the following words mean:New World

Age of Exploration

explorers

archaeologist

AnswersNew World: What Europeans called the lands

across the Atlantic (the Americas)Age of Exploration: time period beginning in

the late 1400’s when explorers looked for new trade routes to Asia and found the Americas

explorers: people who travel searching for new things

archaeologist: a scientist who studies artifacts to learn about past cultures

Question 1

What are the reasons Europeans explored the

New World? Give reasons and explain your

answer.

AnswerThe major reasons Europeans explored were the following:

to spread Christianityto gain wealthto find new landto find trade routes to AsiaPeople were curious about what was out thereto gain power and be famousto gain foreign goods like silks, gold, silver,

rubies and other precious metals

Define the following:intact

Astrolabe

compass

the Americas

Answersintact: strong and easy to stay together,

keeps together.Astrolabe: an early scientific tool used to

observe and calculate the position of the sun and other stars – worked best on land.

compass: a tool for finding direction (north, east, south and west) by using a magnetic needle always pointing north.

the Americas: the land masses of North, Central and South America.

Question 2What are two major changes map makers made after Columbus’

voyage?

AnswerAdded the New WorldMade the Atlantic Ocean bigger

Before Columbus, Europeans did not know the New World even existed. Also, map makers, and sailors/explorers, thought the Atlantic Ocean was much smaller than it actually was.

Define the following:Maps

Claim

Flag

Christianity

AnswersMaps: drawing of the shapes of bodies of land

and water while showing where the physical features are.

Claim: take something as your own

Flag: symbol of power of countries and their rulers

Christianity: religion that Europeans wanted to spread to other nations

Question 3Why did explorers use

maps and how were they helpful?

AnswerThey showed physical features such as

mountains.

They also used scales to show the actual distance as it related to the earth.

Ocean maps and navigational maps were used to help them stay on course.

Define the following:biblewealthCostlyTobaccoCash crop

Answerbible: book that contains stories and teachings of

Christianity.

wealth: a lot of money, property, possessions or other riches (gold and silver).

Costly: expensive, high price

Tobacco: tall, leafy plant that grew in the Americas.

Cash crop: a crop that is grown in large quantities for sale.

Question 4What happened as a result

of the Europeans coming into contact with the

Native Americans? What were the effects of the trade of new foods and

tobacco?

Answer American Indians grew different types of corn, vegetables and

fruit. There were introduced to the explorers and they were brought

back to Europe and people started eating a more healthy diet. Some foods such as cacao, was used medicine and populations

grew. American Indians also smoked, sniffed and inhaled tobacco and it

was very additive. Explorers took it back to Europe and soon they were addicted as

well and it became in demand and grew well in the New World. American colonists planted large fields of it and sold the tobacco

to Europeans and it became a cash crop. Colonists were able to buy goods from Europe. American Indians were forced to work as slaves in mines. Diseases were spread.

Question 5Do scientists still explore

today? If so, how and what do they explore?

AnswerYes, underwater archaeologists still

explore.Study sunken shipsLook at old ship records and artifactsRead tales by shipwreck survivors May learn important information about

the people on the ship and where it was going

Long process

Explain each navigational tool and draw a picture

compass

astrolabe

rudder

Answercompass: a tool for finding direction (north,

east, south and west) by using a magnetic needle always pointing north

astrolabe: an early scientific tool used to observe and calculate the position of the sun and other stars – worked best on land.

rudder: made it possible for one sailor to steer the ship (located in the rear of the ship).

Explain each navigational tool and draw a picture

caravel

cross-staff

lateen sails

Answercaravel: a sailing ship explorers used which

was lighter, faster and had more cargo room

cross-staff: a tool used to find latitude which worked best on a ship.

lateen sails: shaped like a triangle and could catch winds from all the sides of the ship. This allowed the ship to change direction.