Exploration & Colonization — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Christopher Columbus sailed from England in 1492.
Corrected: Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in 1492.
The corrected sentence is: "Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in 1492.". The original sentence "Christopher Columbus sailed from England in 1492." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
John Cabot explored the coast of South America for England.
Corrected: John Cabot explored the coast of North America for England.
The corrected sentence is: "John Cabot explored the coast of North America for England.". The original sentence "John Cabot explored the coast of South America for England." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The Americas were named after Christopher Columbus.
Corrected: The Americas were named after Amerigo Vespucci.
The corrected sentence is: "The Americas were named after Amerigo Vespucci.". The original sentence "The Americas were named after Christopher Columbus." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Columbus first landed on an island in the Caribbean in 1492.
Columbus landed in the Bahamas (Caribbean Sea) on October 12, 1492.
2. Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River for France.
Jacques Cartier made three voyages to Canada (1534–1542) claiming the territory for France.
3. Ponce de Leon explored the land we now call Florida.
Juan Ponce de León explored and named Florida in 1513, claiming it for Spain.
4. Henry Hudson explored a river later named the Hudson River.
Henry Hudson explored the river in present-day New York in 1609. It was named the Hudson River after him.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why did European countries want to find a sea route to Asia?
Sample answer: Europeans wanted a direct sea route to Asia to trade for valuable spices, silk, and gold without paying high prices to middlemen who controlled overland trade routes.
The Ottoman Empire controlled overland trade routes, making goods expensive. Sea routes offered cheaper, direct access.
2. How did Columbus change the relationship between Europe and the Americas?
Sample answer: Columbus opened lasting contact between Europe and the Americas, starting the Columbian Exchange where crops, animals, and diseases were traded between the two continents.
Before Columbus, there was no sustained contact between Europe/Africa and the Americas. His voyages began an era of colonization.