Caravel

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/caravel

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary development nations?Portugal and Spain
2. What is the key period of use?15th and 16th centuries, during the Age of Exploration
3. Why were caravels important for exploration?They could sail against the wind and around tricky coastlines, letting sailors reach places that bigger ships couldn't. This opened new trade routes and helped map the world.
4. How did the caravel's sails help it move?Many caravels used lateen sails, which are triangular and let the ship turn more easily. Some also had square sails for speed when the wind was in the right direction.

Caravel: A small, fast, and highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century, crucial for early European exploration.
Lateen Sail: A triangular sail mounted on a long yard, allowing for efficient sailing on various points of wind, including close-hauled.
Sailing Windward (Beating): The ability of a sailing vessel to make progress against the wind by sailing in a zigzag course.
Age of Exploration: A historical period characterized by extensive overseas exploration and the mapping of the world by European navigators.