Question 1

What is the Age of Exploration?

Accepted Answer

The Age of Exploration was a time about 500 years ago when people from Europe traveled to new places around the world. They used ships to discover parts of the Earth they did not know about before.

Question 2

Why did explorers go on these journeys?

Accepted Answer

Explorers wanted to find new trade routes, get spices, gold, and other treasures. They also wanted to discover new lands and make maps of them.

Question 3

Who were some famous explorers during this time?

Accepted Answer

Some famous explorers were Christopher Columbus, who sailed to America, and Ferdinand Magellan, known for his journey around the world. There was also Vasco da Gama, who sailed to India.

Question 4

What kind of ships did explorers use?

Accepted Answer

Explorers used big ships called caravels and galleons. These ships were made of wood and had sails to catch the wind so they could move across the ocean.

Question 5

Did explorers always know where they were going?

Accepted Answer

No, explorers often set sail without knowing exactly where they would end up. They used the stars and simple maps to help guide them across the seas.

Question 6

What did explorers find during their journeys?

Accepted Answer

Explorers found new lands with different plants, animals, and people. They also discovered new continents like America and made more accurate maps.

Question 7

How did the Age of Exploration change the world?

Accepted Answer

The Age of Exploration connected different parts of the world through trade. It led to the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between many countries.

Question 8

What were some dangers explorers faced?

Accepted Answer

Explorers faced storms, disease, and sometimes battles with people they met. The long journeys were often hard and dangerous.

Question 9

How did explorers navigate the seas?

Accepted Answer

Explorers used tools like compasses and astrolabes to help them navigate. They watched the stars and the sun to figure out their direction.

Question 10

What is the Columbian Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The Columbian Exchange was the big swap of plants, animals, and foods between the New World (like America) and the Old World (like Europe). It brought new things like tomatoes, potatoes, and horses to different places.

Question 11

Were there any negative impacts of the Age of Exploration?

Accepted Answer

Yes, exploration often had negative effects, like spreading diseases that harmed native people. Sometimes explorers took land and resources from the people who already lived there.

Question 12

Did explorers travel alone?

Accepted Answer

No, they usually traveled with a crew of sailors and other people. They needed help to sail the ship, find food, and take care of the ship.

Question 13

What did explorers eat on their journeys?

Accepted Answer

Explorers ate dried food, salted meat, and ship biscuits. They sometimes caught fish and birds during their trip.

Question 14

How long did journeys take during the Age of Exploration?

Accepted Answer

Journeys could take months or even years, depending on the distance and the weather. Explorers had to be very patient and prepared for long trips.

Question 15

What is a map, and why was it important to explorers?

Accepted Answer

A map is a drawing of the land and sea that helps show where places are. Maps were important because they helped explorers find their way and remember where they had been.

Question 16

What were some tools explorers used for navigation?

Accepted Answer

Explorers used tools like the compass, which showed direction, and the astrolabe, which helped find their location by using the stars. These tools were very important for navigation.

Question 17

What is a 'trade route'?

Accepted Answer

A trade route is a path or a series of paths used by ships or land travelers to exchange goods between places. During the Age of Exploration, finding new trade routes was very important for explorers.

Question 18

Why was finding spices so important during this time?

Accepted Answer

Spices were very valuable because they made food taste better and helped keep it fresh. They were like treasure in those days!

Question 19

What are some items that were exchanged because of exploration?

Accepted Answer

Things like chocolate, corn, and potatoes from America were exchanged for horses, wheat, and coffee from Europe. This exchange helped mix different cultures and foods together.

Question 20

How did the Age of Exploration affect cultures around the world?

Accepted Answer

The Age of Exploration helped people learn about different cultures and ideas by meeting new people and trading with them. It brought new foods, animals, and ways of living to other parts of the world.

The Age of Exploration: Discoveries and Impact - 20 FAQs Explained Simply