This document contains directions for a reading comprehension assignment on Christopher Columbus' voyages. Students are asked 23 multiple choice and short answer questions about Columbus' background, his beliefs about the shape of the Earth, his proposals to European monarchs to fund a voyage west to reach Asia, the mistakes in his theories, his four voyages to the Americas between 1492 and 1504, and his later treatment by the Spanish crown. The questions probe events, places, people, and outcomes of Columbus' famous transatlantic voyages and their impacts.

1. US HISTORY 7
MR. WAGNER
NAME: ___________________________
PERIOD: __________________________
THE VOYAGE OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions based on the reading “The Voyage of Christopher Columbus.” If you need to, use the
back side or a separate sheet of paper for additional space.
1. Where and when was Christopher Columbus born?
2. Briefly describe the city of Genoa, Italy.
3. What types of jobs did Columbus do during his teenage years?
4. Did Columbus ever serve in the military? Explain your answer.
5. By the time that Columbus was 26 years old, he had sailed to many different places. List the places that he had sailed to by the time
he was 26.
6. Many people in Europe believed that the world was flat. What did Columbus believe with regard to the shape and size of the Earth?
7. During the 1300’s and 1400’s many Europeans wanted the goods or products that came from India and China. How did European
merchants get to and from India and China?
8. What goods or items did Europeans want from India and China?
9. Columbus believed that there was a better way to get to India and China. How did Columbus believe he could get to India and
China?
10. Who was the first person that Columbus approached with his plan? What was the response of this person?
11. After this first person, who did Columbus go to and present his plan to? What did these two people say to Columbus?
12. How long did it take for Columbus to get approval and support for his plan? When did he get the support of the King and Queen
of Spain?
13. What mistakes did Columbus make in his theory? What was wrong with his theory?
14. What were the names of the 3 ships given to Columbus by the King and Queen of Spain?
15. When did Columbus set sail?
16. When did Columbus and his ships sight land? What land was it that they sighted?
17. Where did Columbus think that he had landed?
18. What did he call the natives that he came into contact with?
19. What did Columbus take back to Spain when he sailed back?
20. In addition to his original voyage in 1492, how many other voyages did Columbus make to the New World? In what years were
these trips made?
21. List some of the places that Columbus had discovered on his voyages to the New World.
22. Did Columbus find the abundant gold, spices, and other riches that he had hoped to find?
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2. 23. What did the King and Queen of Spain do to Columbus when he could not find the gold and riches that he had promised.
24. When did Columbus die?
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