Why Europe Explored
Which Asian country was described as more powerful than all European kingdoms combined during the 14th–15th centuries?
A. Japan
B. China
C. India
D. Korea
B. China
Who commanded the massive Chinese treasure fleets between 1405 and 1433?
A. Kublai Khan
B. Zheng He
C. Sun Tzu
D. Yongle
B. Zheng He
Which Portuguese prince sponsored early voyages along Africa’s west coast?
A. Prince Henry the Navigator
B. Prince João
C. Prince Duarte
D. Prince Manuel
A. Prince Henry the Navigator
What were indulgences sold by the church supposed to reduce?
A. Church taxes
B. Military service
C. Years of fasting
D. Time in purgatory
D. Time in purgatory
Who wrote the Ninety-Five Theses in 1517?
A. John Calvin
B. Martin Luther
C. Erasmus
D. Thomas More
B. Martin Luther
What luxury goods from Asia were especially valuable in Europe?
A. Silk and tea
B. Spices and porcelain
C. Rice and paper
D. Bronze statues
B. Spices and porcelain
Which emperor ordered the Zheng He expeditions?
A. Yongle Emperor
B. Hongwu
C. Kangxi
D. Taizu
A. Yongle Emperor
Which African empire was famous for its gold trade and city of Timbuktu?
A. Songhai
B. Mali Empire
C. Benin
D. Ghana
B. Mali Empire
Who was the priest executed in 1415 for criticizing indulgences and church corruption?
A. Thomas à Kempis
B. Jan Hus
C. Johann Tetzel
D. Erasmus
B. Jan Hus
What was Luther’s main argument about salvation?
A. It comes from pilgrimage
B. It comes through church authority
C. Faith alone brings salvation
D. Only monks can achieve it
C. Faith alone brings salvation
What major event in 1453 disrupted traditional trade routes between Europe and Asia?
A. Mongol invasion of China
B. Black Death
C. Fall of Constantinople
D. Battle of Hastings
C. Fall of Constantinople
What natural system shaped Indian Ocean trade routes?
A. Trade winds
B. Monsoon winds
C. Tidal currents
D. Polar winds
B. Monsoon winds
Who sailed around Africa to reach India in 1497?
A. Ferdinand Magellan
B. Pedro Cabral
C. Bartolomeu Dias
D. Vasco da Gama
D. Vasco da Gama
Which famous church building was funded partly by indulgence sales?
A. Notre Dame
B. St. Peter’s Basilica
C. Hagia Sophia
D. Chartres Cathedral
B. St. Peter’s Basilica
Where was Luther tried and ordered to recant in 1521?
A. Council of Trent
B. Parliament of Mainz
C. Synod of Geneva
D. Diet of Worms
D. Diet of Worms
Which new ship types helped Europeans sail both with and against the wind?
A. Galleys and junks
B. Caravels and carracks
C. Frigates and clippers
D. Longboats and barges
B. Caravels and carracks
What unusual animal did Zheng He reportedly bring back to China from Africa?
A. Zebra
B. Elephant
C. Lion
D. Giraffe
D. Giraffe
What was the Portuguese “cartaz”?
A. Religious permit
B. Map of sea routes
C. Safe-passage trade license
D. Naval weapon
C. Safe-passage trade license
About how much land in Western Europe was owned by monasteries by the late 1400s?
A. 20%
B. 10%
C. 35%
D. 50%
A. 20%
Which prince protected Luther after he was declared an outlaw?
A. Frederick the Wise
B. Charles V
C. Francis I
D. Maximilian I
A. Frederick the Wise
What did many Europeans incorrectly believe about Asia during the Renaissance?
A. It was ruled by Mongol khans
B. It had no cities
C. It was mostly desert
D. It was smaller than Europe
A. It was ruled by Mongol khans
Why did the Ming dynasty end the expeditions after 1433?
A. Ships were destroyed in storms
B. Trade failed
C. Cost and northern threats
D. European attacks
C. Cost and northern threats
What agreement divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal in 1494?
A. Treaty of Utrecht
B. Treaty of Paris
C. Treaty of Tordesillas
D. Treaty of Lisbon
C. Treaty of Tordesillas
What book became a popular devotional text of the “Modern Devotion” movement?
A. City of God
B. Confessions
C. The Imitation of Christ
D. Summa Theologica
C. The Imitation of Christ
What doctrine became central to John Calvin’s teachings?
A. Papal authority
B. Indulgences
C. Predestination
D. Monastic vows
C. Predestination