British Colonisation Quiz - First Fleet - Australia
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Who was in command of the First Fleet?
- A.
Lachlan Macquarie
- B.
Arthur Phillip
- C.
James Cook
Correct Answer
B. Arthur PhillipExplanation
The First Fleet was placed under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, a naval officer.Rate this question:
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- 2.
What date did the First Fleet leave Spithead, Portsmouth, England?
- A.
May 13, 1787
- B.
January 26, 1788
- C.
May 20, 1787
Correct Answer
A. May 13, 1787Explanation
The fleet left the Spithead, in England, on May 13, 1787.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The First Fleet consisted of how many ships?
- A.
11
- B.
6
- C.
2
Correct Answer
A. 11Explanation
The First Fleet consisted of 11 ships. There were two king's ships, HMS Sirius and HMS Supply. Both were armed with cannons. Six vessels served as convict transports. They were the Alexander, the Friendship, the Lady Penrhyn, the Charlotte, the Scarborough, and the Prince of Wales. Three storeships—the Borrowdale, the Fishburn, and the Golden Grove—completed the fleet. The flagship—that is, the ship Phillip sailed on—was the Sirius. It was the largest vessel in the fleet.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Approximately how many convicts were transported in the First Fleet?
- A.
Approximately 750
- B.
Approximately 1500
- C.
Approximately 500
Correct Answer
A. Approximately 750Explanation
Approximately 750 convicts. Six children were born to convict women during the voyage, and four of them survived.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Where was the first place they stopped on their journey to Australia?
- A.
Cape of Good Hope
- B.
Rio de Janeiro
- C.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Correct Answer
C. Tenerife, Canary IslandsExplanation
On June 3, the fleet arrived at Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, where it stayed for a week.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Where did the First Fleet intend to stop but were forced to continue on due to bad weather?
- A.
Rio de Janeiro
- B.
Cape Verde Islands
- C.
Cape of Good Hope
Correct Answer
B. Cape Verde IslandsExplanation
From the Canary Islands, the fleet sailed towards the Cape Verde Islands but bad weather forced Arthur Phillip to continue on to Rio de Janeiro.Rate this question:
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- 7.
How many days did the voyage take?
- A.
252 days
- B.
184 days
- C.
68 days
Correct Answer
A. 252 daysExplanation
The voyage took a total of 252 days: 184 days at sea and 68 days in the ports of call.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Where did the First Fleet originally plan to settle but was found to be unsuitable?
- A.
Van Diemen's Land
- B.
Botany Bay
- C.
Port Jackson
Correct Answer
B. Botany BayExplanation
Botany Bay was soon found to be unsuitable for settlement, despite the good reports made by Sir Joseph Banks that had influenced the selection of the site as the new penal colony. Fresh water was in short supply in the bay. The bay itself was unprotected against winds, creating a hazard for shipping. The quality of the soil, vital for the growth of the first crops, was poor.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Where did the First Fleet choose to eventually settle?
- A.
Sydney Cove
- B.
Parramatta
- C.
Rose Hill
Correct Answer
A. Sydney CoveExplanation
Arthur Phillip set out north to locate a new site. He found the entrance to Port Jackson and, at its head, Sydney Cove, with a fresh running stream and a natural harbour, well protected from the winds.Rate this question:
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- 10.
On what date did the First Fleet settle in the new location?
- A.
January 20, 1788
- B.
January 18, 1788
- C.
January 26, 1788
Correct Answer
C. January 26, 1788Explanation
Arrangements to move the fleet to Sydney Cove were completed by January 26, 1788.Rate this question:
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Mar 16, 2022Quiz Edited by
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May 22, 2013Quiz Created by
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