Introduction to the Elizabethan Period
The Elizabethan period is the time in England when Queen Elizabeth I reigned, from 1558 to 1603. This time is remembered for many important events, including exploration, poetry, and drama.
Exploration
During this period, many English explorers wanted to find new trade routes and expand British trade. They were especially interested in reaching the Spanish colonies in the Americas.
- Sir Francis Drake was a famous explorer and sailor. He helped defeat the Spanish Armada, which was a big fleet of ships sent by Spain to attack England. His ship, the Golden Hind, made him famous because it was one of the first ships to sail all the way around the world. This journey is called “circumnavigation.”
- In Elizabeth I’s time, English settlers began to colonise the eastern coast of America. This means they started to live there and make new homes. Many of these settlers were people who disagreed with the religious beliefs of the next two kings after Elizabeth I.
Poetry and Drama
The Elizabethan period is also well-known for its rich poetry and drama. One of the greatest writers from this time is William Shakespeare. He wrote many famous plays and poems that are still loved today. His works include tragedies like “Hamlet” and comedies like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Summary of Key Points
- The Elizabethan period was from 1558 to 1603.
- It was a time of exploration and growing pride in being English.
- Sir Francis Drake and his ship, the Golden Hind, were important in exploration.
- English settlers began colonising America.
- William Shakespeare was a famous poet and playwright during this time.
Questions for the Life in the UK Test
Easy Level Questions
- Who was the queen of England during the Elizabethan period?
- A) Queen Victoria
- B) Queen Elizabeth I
- C) Queen Mary
- D) Queen Anne
- What was the name of Sir Francis Drake’s ship?
- A) The Golden Eagle
- B) The Golden Hind
- C) The Golden Lion
- D) The Golden Falcon
- What did English explorers want to find?
- A) New friends
- B) New trade routes
- C) New languages
- D) New animals
- Which country did the Spanish Armada come from?
- A) France
- B) Spain
- C) Portugal
- D) Italy
- What famous playwright wrote during the Elizabethan period?
- A) Charles Dickens
- B) J.K. Rowling
- C) William Shakespeare
- D) George Orwell
- What is “circumnavigate”?
- A) To sail halfway around the world
- B) To sail around the world
- C) To sail in circles
- D) To swim across the ocean
- Why did some English settlers go to America?
- A) To find gold
- B) To explore new lands
- C) To escape religious disagreement
- D) To meet new people
- What type of writing is William Shakespeare famous for?
- A) Novels
- B) Poetry and plays
- C) Short stories
- D) Newspapers
- When did the Elizabethan period take place?
- A) 1500-1550
- B) 1558-1603
- C) 1603-1650
- D) 1650-1700
- Which of the following was a reason for growing patriotism in England?
- A) More food
- B) More trade and exploration
- C) More holidays
- D) More books
Medium Level Questions
- Who was one of the commanders in the defeat of the Spanish Armada?
- A) Sir Walter Raleigh
- B) Sir Francis Drake
- C) Sir Thomas More
- D) Sir Henry VIII
- What did Elizabeth I support during her reign?
- A) The Spanish Armada
- B) English exploration
- C) French colonisation
- D) Irish independence
- What was the impact of English colonisation in America?
- A) Decreased trade
- B) Increased religious conflict
- C) Less exploration
- D) No impact
- Which of the following is a tragedy written by Shakespeare?
- A) Twelfth Night
- B) Romeo and Juliet
- C) The Tempest
- D) Much Ado About Nothing
- What did Sir Francis Drake do besides sailing?
- A) He was a poet
- B) He was also a naval commander
- C) He was a king
- D) He was a farmer
- What was one goal of the explorers during the Elizabethan period?
- A) To find new religions
- B) To find new trade partners
- C) To find new lands for farming
- D) To find new languages
- What style of writing is associated with Shakespeare?
- A) Epic poetry
- B) Free verse
- C) Blank verse and sonnets
- D) Journalism
- What was a consequence of the religious disagreements in England?
- A) Fewer settlers in America
- B) More settlers in America
- C) Increased peace
- D) Less exploration
- What was the main reason for the growth of the English navy?
- A) To fight against France
- B) To protect trade routes
- C) To explore new lands
- D) To find new colonies
- What were the themes of many of Shakespeare’s plays?
- A) Politics and war
- B) Love and betrayal
- C) Nature and science
- D) Travel and adventure
Hard Level Questions
- In what year did Sir Francis Drake complete his circumnavigation of the globe?
- A) 1577
- B) 1580
- C) 1590
- D) 1603
- Which religious group was commonly involved in early American colonisation?
- A) Catholics
- B) Puritans
- C) Quakers
- D) Anglicans
- How did the defeat of the Spanish Armada affect England?
- A) It led to peace with Spain
- B) It increased England’s naval power
- C) It ended English exploration
- D) It caused economic decline
- What genre of literature did Shakespeare help popularise?
- A) Science fiction
- B) Historical novels
- C) Tragedy and comedy
- D) Fantasy
- What was the significance of the Golden Hind’s journey?
- A) It was the first ship to reach America
- B) It was the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
- C) It was the fastest ship in the navy
- D) It was the first ship to fight in a war
- Why did the English seek new trade routes?
- A) To avoid wars
- B) To compete with Spanish wealth
- C) To find new languages
- D) To explore the moon
- What does the term “patriotism” mean?
- A) Love for one’s country
- B) Hatred of other countries
- C) Disinterest in national affairs
- D) Support for foreign nations
- Which of the following best describes the Elizabethan theatre?
- A) Small and private
- B) Large and public
- C) Modern and advanced
- D) Limited to the royal court
- How did Shakespeare’s works influence the English language?
- A) He created many new words and phrases
- B) He made the language simpler
- C) He changed all the grammar rules
- D) He focused only on poems
- What was one of the major challenges faced by English settlers in America?
- A) Lack of trade opportunities
- B) Conflicts with Native Americans
- C) Too many resources
- D) Abundant food supply
Answers
Easy Level Answers
- B) Queen Elizabeth I
- B) The Golden Hind
- B) New trade routes
- B) Spain
- C) William Shakespeare
- B) To sail around the world
- C) To escape religious disagreement
- B) Poetry and plays
- B) 1558-1603
- B) More trade and exploration
Medium Level Answers
- B) Sir Francis Drake
- B) English exploration
- B) Increased religious conflict
- B) Romeo and Juliet
- B) He was also a naval commander
- B) To find new trade partners
- C) Blank verse and sonnets
- B) More settlers in America
- B) To protect trade routes
- B) Love and betrayal
Hard Level Answers
- B) 1580
- B) Puritans
- B) It increased England’s naval power
- C) Tragedy and comedy
- B) It was the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
- B) To compete with Spanish wealth
- A) Love for one’s country
- B) Large and public
- A) He created many new words and phrases
- B) Conflicts with Native Americans
