LESSON 03 : THE AGE OF DISCOVERY

Subject – UAE SOCIAL STUDIES (Geography)

Grade 6 Worksheet (Answer Key)

[This worksheet is solely for practice and reinforcement of concepts. Please do not
answer the questions in your Social Studies notebook]

Learning Objectives – At the end of this lesson, students will be able to –

1. Explain the impact of the geographical discoveries.

2. Identify the circumstances leading to the Age of Discovery.
3. Correlate the German military prowess to the rise of dictatorship in Germany.

SECTION A : Knowledge and Understanding

Crossword : The Age of Discovery (Cross Curricular Link – English)
I.

Page 1 of 11
 ACROSS DOWN

1. Erik the Red discovered Greenland. 2. Network of trade routes in Eurasia – Silk Road

3. First navigator to travel around the world – 4. Norse explorer who discovered Canada and North
Ferdinand Magellan America – Leif Erikson
5. Venetian merchant who resided in China for 17 years 6. Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks
– Marco Polo in 1453 CE.

6. Portuguese explorer who was the first to sail towards 8. India was discovered by Vasco da Gama in 1498 CE.
the tip of Africa – Bartholomew Dias
9. The discoverer of the “New World” and the first person to discover North America – Christopher Columbus

10. Italian navigator in whose honour two continents are named – Amerigo Vespucci

SECTION B : Application

II. Case Study – Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions –
THE EXPEDITION OF ROALD AMUNDSEN

Roald Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He was the first person to reach the South
Pole, which he named in his honor – the Amundsen Pole. He became the first person to cross the Arctic
region by air.

In 1903 with a crew of 6 men, Roald Amundsen began his mission to sail through the Arctic waters.
However, his mission had to be halted due to the presence of numerous icebergs. The icebergs posed a
threat and danger to his ship, as there was a possibility of colliding into the icebergs and causing
irreparable damage to the ships. In 1906, they resumed their journey and successfully sailed through the
Arctic waters.

When Amundsen left Norway in June 1910 no one but his brother knew that he was heading for the
South Pole this time. An experienced polar traveler, Amundsen prepared carefully for the coming
journey, making a preliminary trip to deposit food supplies along the first part of his route to the pole
and back. To transport his supplies, he used sled dogs. Amundsen set out with 4 companions, 52 dogs,
and 4 sledges on October 19, 1911, and, after encountering good weather, arrived at the South Pole on
December 14. The explorers recorded scientific data at the pole before beginning the return journey.

Roald Amundsen’s expeditions are a part of the Age of Discovery or Exploration. The Age of Discovery
or Exploration promoted globalization by encouraging extensive overseas exploration, which paved the
way for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa (the Old World) and Australia and the Americas (the
New World). It is responsible for influencing European culture, initiating globalization, and introducing

Page 2 of 11
 colonialism around the world. It has led to the diffusion of ideas, information across borders and
cultures.

Roald Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He was the first person to reach the South
Pole, which he named in his honor – the Amundsen Pole. He became the first person to cross the Arctic
region by air.

In 1903 with a crew of 6 men, Roald Amundsen began his mission to sail through the Arctic waters.
However, his mission had to be halted due to the presence of numerous icebergs. The icebergs posed a
threat and danger to his ship, as there was a possibility of colliding into the icebergs and causing
irreparable damage to the ships. In 1906, they resumed their journey and successfully sailed through the
Arctic waters.

1. How did the Age of Discovery or Exploration promote globalization?

The Age of Discovery or Exploration promoted globalization by encouraging extensive overseas

exploration, which paved the way for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa (the Old World) and
Australia and the Americas (the New World). It is responsible for influencing European culture,
initiating globalization, which led to the diffusion of ideas, information across borders and cultures.

2. How did Roald Amundsen prepare for his expedition to the South Pole?

Amundsen prepared carefully for the coming journey, making a preliminary trip to deposit food supplies
along the first part of his route to the pole and back. To transport his supplies, he used sled dogs.
Amundsen set out with 4 companions, 52 dogs, and 4 sledges on October 19, 1911.

3. How do icebergs pose a threat to ships?

The icebergs pose a threat and danger to ships, as there is a possibility of colliding into the icebergs and
causing irreparable damage to the ships.

4. How are the polar ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctic regions being threatened by climate change?

Due to rapid global warming the polar ice caps are melting and getting depleted, which affects the
ecosystem, as animals lose their habitat, source of food, are unable to adapt and gradually perish.

Page 3 of 11
III. Sequence of events – Arrange the events in the order of their occurrence to reconstruct the Age of
Geographical Discovery.

1. A Vasco da Gama set sail with a fleet of four ships and a crew of 170 men, sailed around the Cape
of Good Hope and followed the monsoon winds to India.

B The crew reached Calicut and got permission to trade from the Zamorin of Calicut.

C Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks and the trade route was closed.

D Vasco da Gama travelled to Goa and then to Cochin where he died after contracting malaria.

E He returned thrice to trade with India and paved the way for the establishment of the Portuguese
Empire and colonization of India.

CABED

2. A A merchant by profession, Marco Polo set sail from Venice and traveled eastwards.

Marco Polo returned to Venice and was imprisoned. His accounts were compiled into a book by
B
a fellow prisoner.

C He learned to speak and write Mongol and learned their art of warfare.

D Marco Polo arrived and served as an ambassador in the court of Kublai Khan for 17 years.

E He travelled for 3 years across the Silk Road through the Gobi Desert and Mongolia.

AEDCB

3. A Columbus’ ships ventured into stormy seas and drifted off course, sailing westwards.

On his second expedition, he landed on Cuba (which he assumed was China) and then set sail to
B Jamaica.

Inspired by the travels of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus set sail with 3 ships and a crew of
C
87 men.

D He landed on the shores of an island which he named “San Salvador” in 1492 CE, and later sailed
to a nearby island which he called “Hispaniola” (Little Spain and modern-day Haiti).

E He enslaved the Native Americans and returned to Spain, believing he had traveled to the eastern
part of Asia until his demise in 1506 CE.
CADBE

Page 4 of 11
4. A Ferdinand Magellan set sail from Spain in 1519 with a fleet of 5 ships and a crew of 200 men.

B Magellan crossed the equator and sailed towards the tip of South America.

He traveled around the cape of South America into calm waters which he named the ‘Pacific
C
Ocean’

Magellan and his crew landed on the shores of Cebu in the Philippines, where an altercation with
D
the local chief led to the demise of Ferdinand Magellan.

The remaining crew continued the journey and arrived in Spain in 1522 CE, thereby completing
E
the first journey of circumnavigation around the world.

ABCDE

5. A In 985 CE, he discovered a frigid, icy territory which he named “Greenland.”

Erik Thorvaldsson was born in Norway and left Norway at the age of 10 after his father was
B
banished.

After exploring the land for 3 years, he returned to Iceland and convinced the people to migrate
C
to the “green, lush territory” he had discovered.

Erik the Red was banished from Iceland and had no shelter to stay. He went in search of a new
D
territory.

500 Icelanders in 25 ships were tricked into setting sail and formed a new settlement in
E
Greenland.

BDACE

6. He returned to Portugal and reported to King John II, who renamed the cape as the “Cape of
A
Good Hope.”

Venturing into stormy waters, Bartholomew Diaz feared his ships would drift off course and
B
hence decided to return to Lisbon. He named the tip of Africa as the “Cape of Storms.”

C Setting sail from Lisbon with three ships, Bartholomew Dias followed the coast of Africa.

He reached the tip of the African continent and was the first navigator to sail around Africa into
D the Indian Ocean.

E Navigators such as Vasco da Gama followed Dias’ route to finally discover India in 1498 CE.

CDBAE

Page 5 of 11
 SECTION C : HOTS

IV. Answer the following questions briefly –

General Instructions –

(i) All descriptive questions should be well-explained with specific details mentioned.
(ii) 1-mark question should be answered in 1-2 sentences.
(iii) 2-marks question should be answered in 3-4 sentences.
(iv) 3-marks question should be answered in 5-6 sentences.
(v) 5-marks question should be answered in a paragraph of 7-10 sentences.
(vi) Check and review your answer for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes and appropriate
sentence structure. Marks will be deducted for lack of sentence structure.
(vii) Always frame appropriate sentences and do not answer in a phrase. Refrain from starting your
answer with ‘because.’

1. What was the positive and negative impact of the Age of Discovery on the newly discovered territories?

POSITIVE IMPACT NEGATIVE IMPACT

 The people and land were enslaved.

 Diseases spread rapidly
 It led to globalization and connected people and  Drain of wealth – people and the land was exploited
countries across the world.  Over-utilization of resources
 Europeans helped the people of the colonized land  Local culture and traditions were under threat
to develop their infrastructure – roads, railways,  Racial discrimination
educational institutions.  Industrialization and urbanization led to pollution
 Promoted industrial development The underlying statement is that the Age of Discovery
 Ports were set up to trade.
did more harm than good. Countries are still trying to
 It led to exchange of ideas.
recover from the drawbacks of colonialism.

2. Why were the Europeans keen to discover a sea route towards the east?

The Europeans were keen to discover a sea route to the east because –

 The land route was closed, as Constantinople was captured by the Ottoman Turks. The Europeans had
to find an alternate trade route by sea.
 Commodities from the east were in huge demand in Europe.

3. Why are the Vikings not considered as the “discoverers of the New World” despite discovering America
500 years before Columbus?

The Vikings did not maintain written records. Most of what we know about the Vikings is through oral
traditions that have been passed on through generations. These oral traditions are unreliable as they are
subject to changes, alterations and exaggerations. Hence, it is difficult to reconstruct the events of the
Viking Age.

Page 6 of 11
4. What was the impact of the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks?

During the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire, Constantinople was an important trading center and
meeting point for traders and merchants across the world. However in 1453 when Constantinople was
captured by the Ottoman Turks, they closed the ports of Constantinople to outsiders. The land trading
routes were affected. Hence, voyagers had to find alternate sea routes to reach the east.

A positive outcome of the capture of Constantinople was it led to the Age of Discovery.

5. How did the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama change the fate of the Indian subcontinent?

 The discovery of India by Vasco da Gama led to the colonization of the land by the Portuguese. This
in turn led the Dutch, French and British to conquer the land.
 The Portuguese and colonial powers exploited the land and its people.
 Racial discrimination and slavery became rampant.
 The culture and traditions of the land were altered by the colonial powers.
 Resources were drained and exploited.

6. How did Ferdinand Magellan’s voyage contribute to the ideals of the Renaissance Period?

Magellan’s voyage around the world proved that the earth was spherical in shape, and not flat. This
helped to dispel false notions of the Dark Ages and contributed to the ideals of the Renaissance Period.

SECTION D : Critical Thinking

V. Assertion and Reason – Read the two statements and state whether the reason (R) justifies the
assertion (A).

1. ASSERTION (A) : Leif Erikson discovered houses with grass roofs in New Foundland in Canada.

REASON (R) : The houses were a part of vertical farming and sustainable living in the past.

(i) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(iv) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

2. ASSERTION (A) : The flat-Earth theory was disproved during the Renaissance Movement due to the
development of scientific temperament and thinking.

Page 7 of 11
 REASON (R) : Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to circumnavigate or travel around the world,
thereby proving the earth’s spherical shape.

(i) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(iv) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

3. ASSERTION (A) : North America was discovered by the Vikings 500 years prior to Christopher
Columbus’ arrival on the shores of the Bahamas.

REASON (R) : The Vikings did not document their history or maintain written accounts of their
discoveries.

(i) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(iv) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

4. ASSERTION (A) : The Silk Road derives its name from the commodities traded along the route.

REASON (R) : Chinese silk was exported from China, as it was in large demand in Europe and the
Roman Empire.

(i) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(iv) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

5. ASSERTION (A) : Marco Polo wrote his autobiography whilst returning to the port of Venice.

REASON (R) : ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ give a detailed account of his journey to China, the lifestyle,
culture and wealth of the east.

(i) Both (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(ii) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(iii) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(iv) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

SECTION E : Map Skills

VI. On the outline map of Europe, mark the following places as directed –

1. The map depicts the route of Vasco da Gama. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and ‘B’ on
the map respectively. (names of cities)

Page 8 of 11
 A – LISBON

B – CALICUT

2. The map depicts the route of Christopher Columbus. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and
‘B’ on the map respectively. (names of countries)

A – SPAIN

B – BAHAMAS

3. The map depicts the route of Marco Polo. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the
map respectively. (names of cities)

Page 9 of 11
 A – VENICE

B – BEIJING

4. The map depicts the route of Erik the Red. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the
map. (names of countries)

A – GREENLAND (end point)

B – NORWAY (start of the journey)

Page 10 of 11
 5. The map depicts the route of Ferdinand Magellan. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and ‘B’
on the map respectively. (names of countries)

A – SPAIN

B – PHILIPPINES

6. The map depicts the route of Bartholomew Dias. Identify the start and end points marked ‘A’ and ‘B’ on
the map respectively. (names of cities)

A – LISBON

B – CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (not a city but a part of the peninsula)

Page 11 of 11