Name __________________________________________________ Date ______________________________
Assessment: European Exploration and Settlement
1. Which of these was a major motivation for European exploration?
A. profit
B. leisure
C. freedom
D. education
Mastering the Content
Circle the letter next to the best answer.
2. How did Marco Polo encourage European exploration?
A. He became wealthy after conquering the Incas.
B. He wrote a book about his travels in Asia.
C. He told stories about his trip around the tip of Africa.
D. He brought treasures back from his journey to the Americas.
3. Which of these was a goal of the first European explorers?
A. to establish trading posts
B. to find a water route to Asia
C. to exchange ideas with native peoples
D. to explore North and South America
4. Which of these describes the relationship between the French and the American Indians?
A. They were enemies.
B. They were business partners.
C. The French converted the American Indians.
D. The American Indians were slaves to the French.
5. How did the Columbian Exchange affect many American Indian groups?
A. They grew in number.
B. They died from diseases.
C. They became prosperous.
D. They were forced to move.
6. Which of these settled in the Spanish borderlands?
A. farmers and ranchers
B. soldiers and missionaries
C. pirates and runaway slaves
D. miners and treasure seekers
7. What was the main goal of the Spanish missionaries?
A. to protect the American Indians
B. to trade with the American Indians
C. to teach their religion to the American Indians
D. to learn about the customs of the American Indians
8. Which of these was a goal of the Spanish conquistadors who came to the Americas?
A. to trade with the native peoples
B. to conquer a large empire for Spain
C. to establish agricultural communities
D. to learn about the culture of the Aztec people
9. Which statement is true about slavery in North America?
A. American Indian slaves were treated with dignity.
B. European explorers rejected slavery in the Americas.
C. Slavery had not existed before the European discovery of America.
D. African slaves took the place of American Indian workers.
10. What was an effect of Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the Americas?
A. a reduction in the European population
B. a delay in future Spanish explorations
C. a war between the Spanish and the French
D. a transfer of foods between Europe and the Americas
11. Which of these describes the experience of the first Jamestown settlers?
A. They were challenged by the environment.
B. They found the area already settled by the Dutch.
C. They were welcomed by the American Indians.
D. They quickly established a prosperous settlement.
12. What was an important economic activity of both the French and Dutch settlements?
A. fur trade
B. slave trade
C. tobacco farming
D. sugar cane farming
13. Why did the London Company send settlers to Virginia?
A. to create maps of the area
B. to establish a trading post
C. to start a moneymaking colony
D. to make peace with American Indians
14. What event helped end conflict between the Jamestown settlers and the American Indians?
A. the arrival of Captain John Smith
B. the marriage of John Rolfe to Pocahontas
C. the discovery of the lost colony of Roanoke
D. the success of the trade of weapons and food
15. In which way was New Amsterdam different from other European settlements?
A. It included only Dutch people.
B. It was led by an American Indian.
C. It included a diverse population.
D. It was founded on religious beliefs.
16. Which of these became the name of New Netherland after the English took it over in 1664?
A. New York
B. New Jersey
C. New England
D. New Hampshire
Applying Social Studies Skills
Use the drawing and your knowledge of history to answer the questions.
The drawing illustrates a battle between Samuel Champlain and his Huron allies and a group of Iroquois
warriors. The passage is Champlain's description of the event.
17. According to the passage, what caused Samuel Champlain to fire his musket?
18. Which of these statements is suggested by the information in the drawing?
A. Both groups were armed with muskets.
B. Both groups traveled to the battle by canoe.
C. Champlain was the only Frenchman in the battle.
D. The men on the ground were only slightly wounded.
19. Which of these statements is supported by information in the passage?
A. No one was killed or wounded.
B. The Iroquois were better warriors.
C. Champlain fired first, in self-defense.
D. The Huron outnumbered the Iroquois.
Exploring the Essential Question: How did Europeans explore and establish settlements in
the Americas?
Follow the directions to complete the item below.
20. Based on your knowledge about the lessons learned by the early settlers, consider the ideal location for a
group of people to settle in the Americas. Write a paragraph describing the environment that would provide
for a successful settlement.
Your paragraph should include
• a physical description of the environment, including resources, landscape, and climate.
• economic activities supported by the environment.
• environmental conditions that provide protection for the settlers.
Make sure to convey your ideas clearly, using standard English.