1. read the text and put the missing sentences (a-e) in the correct spaces (1-5).
a. at last, on september 6th, everything was ready again. once more the ships set out to sea.
b. he wanted to sail west from europe, west across the ocean sea, west to the lands of asia called
the indies. he would find a sea route to the pearls, gold, spices, silk and perfumes of the indies.
c. then, on the evening of september 9th, the last trace of island disappeared. now the voyage had
truly begun.
d. and in this world the only known lands were europe, asia and africa. together they formed a
giant island surrounded by the ocean sea.
e. their names were the nina, the pinta and the santa maria. aboard them there were ninety men
under the command of columbus.
his name was christopher columbus, and he was a sailor with a bold plan.(1). for year
traders had carried these riches overland to europe. now, with land routes closed by war, trade had stopped.
columbus studied maps and read geography books. he asked the experts for advice. he planned,
and when he was ready he began to search someone who would give money to make a trip. finally he
found a backer in isabella, queen of spain.
and so it happened that on the morning of august 3d, 1492, three small ships sailed from palos,
spain. (2)
but the voyage was not yet really under the way. on the third day out, the pinta's rudder broke. the
fleet had to stop at the canary islands for repairs. (3)
at first the winds were light, sometimes dying altogether. for the few days the men could still sea the
mountain peaks of the canary islands.(4).they were sailing into the unknown.
in his cabin columbus had a chart that he had drawn himself. like the best maps of his day, it
showed a world much smaller than the one we know.(5).
2. are the sentences true (t) or false (f)?
1. christopher columbus wanted to find new route for trade on the land.
2. columbus' plan was important because the trade routes were closed because of the war.
3. he did a lot to prepare for the trip.
4. he started the voyage on the 6th of september, 1492.
5. his voyage was not difficult.
