Zheng He

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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/zheng-he

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. When was Zheng He born?Around 1371
2. When did Zheng He die?Between 1433 and 1435
3. Where was Zheng He born?Yunnan, China
4. What is the career?Eunuch, Admiral, Diplomat, Commander of the Southern Capital (Nanjing)
5. Who was Zheng He?Zheng He was a Chinese explorer and admiral who led the Ming Dynasty’s famous treasure voyages across the oceans.
6. How big were Zheng He’s ships?The treasure ships were enormous, some up to 400 feet long, with many decks and the capacity to carry thousands of crew, soldiers, and cargo.

Eunuch: A male individual who has been castrated, historically serving in imperial courts or harems.
Ming Dynasty: A powerful Chinese imperial dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644, known for its significant cultural and economic achievements.
Treasure Voyages: Massive maritime expeditions commissioned by the Yongle Emperor and led by Zheng He, aimed at diplomacy, trade, and projecting imperial power.