Instructions
Read each question carefully and write your answer in the space provided. For multiple-choice questions, circle the best answer.
Chapter 1: The Golden Age of Piracy
- The "Golden Age of Piracy" was a time when thousands of pirates sailed the seas. In which ocean did most of this take place?
____________________________________________________________ - Fill in the blank: Many men became pirates after first being sailors in their country's _______________.
Chapter 2: Pirate Ships
- Why was a small, fast ship like a "sloop" a good choice for pirates?
____________________________________________________________ - What was the name of the captain's room on a ship?
- a) The Captain's Quarters
- b) The Great Cabin
- c) The Poop Deck
Chapter 3: Life at Sea
- Name the hard, dry biscuit that pirates often ate on long journeys.
____________________________________________________________ - True or False: Life on a pirate ship was easy, with lots of time for relaxing.
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 4: Pirate Rules
- What was the name of the list of rules that all pirates on a ship had to agree to and sign?
____________________________________________________________ - What was a common punishment for a pirate who broke the rules or stole from another crewmate?
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 5: Pirate Treasure
- Besides gold and jewels, name two other things pirates considered "treasure" to steal from another ship.
1. ______________________
2. ______________________ - Fill in the blank: The idea of pirates burying treasure maps was made famous by the book _________________________.
Chapter 6: Pirate Weapons
- What was a cutlass?
- a) A type of pistol
- b) A short, heavy sword with a curved blade
- c) A small cannon
- Why did pirates often carry several pistols at once into a battle?
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 7: Pirate Attacks
- What would a pirate ship do to try and scare another ship into surrendering without a fight?
____________________________________________________________ - True or False: Pirates usually wanted to sink the ships they were attacking.
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 8: Famous Pirates
- The fearsome pirate Blackbeard was known for putting burning fuses in his hair and beard. What was his real name?
____________________________________________________________ - The book mentions two very famous female pirates who sailed together. Name one of them.
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 9: Pirate Flags
- What is the most common name for the pirate flag with a skull and crossbones?
____________________________________________________________ - Some pirates flew a red flag instead of a black one. What did the red flag mean?
____________________________________________________________
Chapter 10: The End of the Golden Age
- What did the government offer to pirates to convince them to give up their life of crime?
____________________________________________________________ - The Golden Age of Piracy lasted for about 80 years and came to an end around what year?
- a) 1630
- b) 1730
- c) 1830
Answer Key
Chapter 1 Answers
- Most piracy during this time took place in the Atlantic Ocean (or the Caribbean Sea).
- Navy
Chapter 2 Answers
- It was fast and could easily sail in shallow waters to escape bigger ships.
- b) The Great Cabin
Chapter 3 Answers
- Hardtack (or sea biscuit)
- False. Pirates had many chores to do, like cleaning the ship and mending sails.
Chapter 4 Answers
- The ship's articles (or pirate code).
- Being marooned (left alone on a deserted island).
Chapter 5 Answers
- Any two of the following: food, water, weapons, tools, sails, rope, medicine, sugar, spices, cloth, lumber.
- Treasure Island
Chapter 6 Answers
- b) A short, heavy sword with a curved blade
- Because the pistols took a very long time to reload after being fired once.
Chapter 7 Answers
- They would raise their pirate flag (like the Jolly Roger).
- False. They wanted to capture the ship and steal its cargo, not sink it.
Chapter 8 Answers
- Edward Teach
- Anne Bonny or Mary Read
Chapter 9 Answers
- The Jolly Roger
- It meant "no mercy" or "no quarter," meaning they would not take any prisoners.
Chapter 10 Answers
- A pardon (a promise they would not be punished if they stopped being pirates).
- b) 1730