The Age of Discovery & Exploration Facts & Information Worksheet - Free Printable

It looks like you've uploaded a page from a history worksheet titled "Introduction to the 'Age of Discovery'" from Boroughmuir High School. However, there is no specific question or task included on this page — it’s an informational text introducing the Age of Discovery, with details about Marco Polo and early exploration.

Since there's no explicit problem or question asked (e.g., "Explain the significance of Marco Polo," or "What were the challenges of travel in 1400?"), I’ll assume your goal is to analyze and summarize the content, or perhaps identify any errors or issues in the text.

Let me help by:

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✔ Summary of the Text

This document introduces students to the Age of Discovery, which began around 1400 AD. It explains that before this time, most people had limited knowledge of the world beyond Europe due to poor literacy, lack of maps, and underdeveloped technology.

Despite these challenges, some explorers managed to travel far:
- The Vikings reached America.
- Venetian merchants traveled to China.
- Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant and explorer, journeyed to China in 1271 with his father and uncle.
- During his stay in Beijing, he was amazed by innovations such as printed paper money and the efficiency of Chinese systems.

The text includes a portrait of Marco Polo and mentions how his observations helped spread knowledge of Asian cultures to Europe.

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❗️Issues Identified in the Text

There are a few repetitions and errors in the writing:

1. Repeated sentence:
> "Whilst Whilst in Beijing..."
→ This is a typo: “Whilst Whilst” should be just “Whilst”.

2. Repetition of content:
The paragraph starting with “Whilst in Beijing…” repeats itself almost verbatim twice in quick succession. This appears to be a formatting or copying error.

3. Chronological inconsistency:
- The text says the Age of Discovery began in 1400, but it then talks about Marco Polo’s travels in 1271, which is before 1400.
- This suggests that while Marco Polo was an important early explorer, the Age of Discovery (as commonly defined) refers more specifically to the 15th–17th centuries, when European powers like Portugal and Spain launched major sea expeditions.

So, while Marco Polo was a pioneer, he predates the official start of the Age of Discovery. The text could clarify that he was part of earlier exploration efforts, not the Age of Discovery itself.

4. Misuse of "into the unknown":
The title says *Into The Unknown*, but the text describes known places like China and America, suggesting that the term might be used metaphorically — which is acceptable — but worth noting.

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🔍 Suggested Clarifications / Improvements

To improve clarity and accuracy, consider revising:

> "The Age of Discovery began in 1400, and it was to take us around the world, discovering new and exciting places."
→ Change to:
> "The Age of Discovery began in the late 1400s, marking a period when European explorers set out across oceans to discover new lands, trade routes, and cultures."

Also, add a note:
> "Although explorers like Marco Polo had traveled to Asia earlier, the Age of Discovery refers mainly to the era of maritime exploration by Europeans, beginning with voyages by Portuguese and Spanish navigators."

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📌 Final Answer (if this were a student task)

If this were a school assignment asking you to read and respond to the text, here’s how you might answer a typical question:

#### Example Question:
"What did Marco Polo observe in China that surprised him?"

✔ Answer:
Marco Polo was surprised by several things in China. One of the most notable was that the Chinese used printed paper notes as money, unlike in Venice where coins were used. He was also impressed by the speed and efficiency of Chinese systems, especially in Beijing.

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