Vikings & European Explorers the Vikings

Non-fiction: Vikings & European Explorers – The Vikings

Vikings & European Explorers The Vikings

Most people think Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach North America. The truth is, however, that he wasn’t. The Norse (also known as Vikings) arrived nearly five hundred years before Columbus’ voyage. A Viking named Leif Ericson led them to North America. They settled on the coast, but only stayed a few years. Vikings were a fierce1 people. They made their living as pirates, traveling to other countries, terrorizing and robbing their inhabitants. They originally lived in Scandinavia, a part of Northern Europe. Today that region includes Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Vikings were masters at shipbuilding. Their superior2 vessels and navigating3 skills at sea help them reach many distant places all over Europe and even Russia. They also made important discoveries. Besides North America, Vikings landed on Iceland and Greenland. They eventually settled on these two masses of land that had previously not even been known to exist. Vikings were infamous4 for being ruthless. As settlements grew, however, they strayed5 from their violent ways. They changed their pirating routes to trading routes. Many Scandinavians also farmed. The Viking Age lasted from the late 700s to about 1100.

1 fierce – violent 2 superior – above average in quality or ability 3 navigating – directing a ship 4 infamous – having a very bad reputation 5 strayed – to move away from something

Questions: Vikings & European Explorers – The Vikings

Name: ______Date: ______

1. Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach America.

a. True b. False

2. According to the passage, what does ruthless mean?

a. cruel b. kind c. shy d. bold

3. All of the following describe Vikings, except

a. fierce. b. peacemakers. c. skilled shipbuilders. d. pirates.

4. What did the Vikings do after they gave up piracy?

a. hunting b. weaving c. trading d. start wars

5. What do you think helped the Vikings explore so many lands?

a. The Viking’s ships and navigating skills b. The Viking’s skill at flying c. The Viking’s ability to swim d. The Viking’s personality

Questions: Vikings & European Explorers – The Vikings

6. Based on the passage, what sorts of character traits would Vikings need in order to be able to achieve what they did as shipbuilders, explorers, and settlers of new distant lands?

______

7. What happened as the Viking settlements grew?

______

8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

The Vikings settled on the coast, ______only stayed a few years.

a. before b. where c. because d. but

9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below.

During the Viking Age, the Vikings settled on Iceland and Greenland because they were the first to discover these lands.

When? during the Viking Age

Who? ______

(did) What? ______

Why? ______

10. Vocabulary Word: navigate: to steer in a certain path or direction.

Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ______

______