Question 1

What is the Golden Age of Exploration?

Accepted Answer

The Golden Age of Exploration was a time from the 1400s to the 1600s when many explorers went on long sea journeys. They wanted to find new lands, discover riches, and make maps of places they had never been to before.

Question 2

Why was it called the Golden Age?

Accepted Answer

It was called the Golden Age because it was an exciting and special time when a lot of exploring happened. People learned a lot about the world, like where new lands and sea routes were.

Question 3

Who were some famous explorers during this time?

Accepted Answer

Famous explorers included Christopher Columbus, who sailed to America, and Ferdinand Magellan, who led the first journey around the world. There was also Vasco da Gama, who found a sea route to India.

Question 4

Why did explorers want to find new routes?

Accepted Answer

Explorers wanted to find new routes to trade for things like spices and silk, which were very valuable. Also, they wanted to find gold, silver, and other treasures.

Question 5

How did explorers navigate during their journeys?

Accepted Answer

Explorers used tools like compasses to find their direction, and astrolabes or sextants to figure out where they were by looking at the stars. They also used maps and sometimes asked for help from friendly locals.

Question 6

What were the ships like during the Golden Age of Exploration?

Accepted Answer

The ships were usually small but strong, like caravels and carracks. They had sails and were made from wood, and they had to be packed with supplies for long trips.

Question 7

What were some dangers explorers faced?

Accepted Answer

Explorers faced many dangers like storms at sea, diseases, and sometimes not having enough food or water. They could also get lost or run into unfriendly people.

Question 8

Did the explorers find new lands?

Accepted Answer

Yes, explorers found many new lands that were not known to Europeans before. These included parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Question 9

What impact did the Golden Age of Exploration have?

Accepted Answer

The Golden Age of Exploration changed the world because it connected people from different continents. It led to new trade routes, the exchange of goods and ideas, but also included negative effects like the spread of diseases.

Question 10

What were spices and why were they important?

Accepted Answer

Spices were important because they added flavor to food and were also used for medicine. They were rare in Europe, so they were very valuable and made people want to find new routes to get them.

Question 11

How did the explorers pay for their trips?

Accepted Answer

Kings and queens, like King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, often gave money to explorers to fund their trips. In return, they hoped to get new land and riches.

Question 12

What were some positive outcomes of the exploration?

Accepted Answer

Some positive outcomes were the discovery of new lands and cultures, the exchange of foods like potatoes and tomatoes, and better maps and knowledge of the world.

Question 13

What were some negative outcomes of the exploration?

Accepted Answer

Negative outcomes included the spread of diseases to new places and the taking over of lands from the people who lived there. Sometimes the explorers were mean to the local people and took their resources.

Question 14

What is a compass and how did it help explorers?

Accepted Answer

A compass is a tool that shows direction by pointing to the North Pole. It helped explorers know which way they were going, even on cloudy days when they couldn't see the sun or stars.

Question 15

What did explorers eat on their journeys?

Accepted Answer

Explorers often ate dried meats, salted fish, hard biscuits, and dried fruits. They had to take food that wouldn't spoil quickly while they were at sea for months.

Question 16

What is scurvy and why was it a problem?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is a disease that sailors got when they didn't have enough vitamin C. It made them very sick during long sea trips because fresh fruits and vegetables weren't available.

Question 17

Did any explorers make it all the way around the world?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ferdinand Magellan's expedition was the first to go all the way around the world, although Magellan himself didn't make it; a part of his crew did. This showed just how big and connected the world was.

Question 18

What new plants did explorers find?

Accepted Answer

Explorers found many new plants, including potatoes, tomatoes, corn, and chocolate plants. These became important foods in Europe and other places around the world.

Question 19

How did exploration change maps?

Accepted Answer

Exploration added new places to maps and made them more accurate. Before this time, people didn't have a complete picture of the earth.

Question 20

What did the explorers do when they reached new lands?

Accepted Answer

When explorers reached new lands, they often set up flags and claimed the land for their country. They also met new people, traded items, and sometimes tried to take control of the land.

The Golden Age of Exploration - 20 FAQs Explained Simply