The Early Explorers! Trivia Questions Quiz

Juan Ponce de Leon discovered a land covered in flowers and named it Florida. This is because Ponce de Leon landed in present-day Florida in 1513 during his search for the Fountain of Youth. The name "Florida" is believed to have been given by Ponce de Leon in reference to the Spanish word "florido," meaning "flowery" or "full of flowers." The abundance of flowers in the region likely influenced his choice of name for the newly discovered land.

Vespucci wanted to find a passage from the New World to Asia because during the Age of Exploration, many explorers were searching for a direct route to Asia in order to establish trade routes and access valuable goods such as spices and silk. Vespucci believed that by sailing west from Europe, he could reach Asia, which was the ultimate goal of his exploration.

Cartier was tasked with searching for the Northwest Passage, which refers to a short route to the Pacific Ocean. The Northwest Passage is a historical sea route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Archipelago. Cartier's mission was to find a quicker way to reach the Pacific Ocean, which suggests that the correct answer is a short route to the Pacific Ocean.

Ferdinand Magellan named the body of water the Pacific Ocean because of its calm waters. This suggests that when he discovered this body of water, he observed that it was peaceful and had a serene atmosphere. This name choice reflects the tranquility and serenity he associated with the ocean, distinguishing it from other more turbulent bodies of water he may have encountered during his exploration.

John Cabot was attempting to find a route to the far East. This is evident from the information provided in the question. The other options, such as through the Strait of Magellan or through the Pacific Ocean, are not mentioned and therefore cannot be considered as the correct answer. Similarly, while finding a route to America could be a possibility, the specific mention of the far East indicates that this was his intended destination.

Hernando de Soto wanted to travel to North America in search of cities full of gold and silver. This suggests that his primary motivation was to find wealth and riches rather than converting natives to Christianity or claiming new land for Spain. This aligns with the historical context of European explorers during the Age of Discovery, who were driven by the desire for riches and resources.

Samuel de Champlain's three goals were to create a map of North America, find a quicker way to get to the Pacific Ocean, and teach Native Americans about Christianity. This is evident from the statement that he wanted to teach Native Americans about Christianity, which is different from teaching them about France. Additionally, the goal of finding a quicker way to get to the Pacific Ocean is more logical as the Atlantic Ocean was already accessible. Finally, the goal of creating a map of the world is not mentioned, only a map of North America.