Of course, some Europeans did travel before the Age of Exploration. For example, Marco Polo traveled on the Silk Road to Kublai Khan’s China in the 1200s. After Marco Polo returned to the Italian peninsula, he was captured as a prisoner of war. In prison, he told a fellow prisoner about his travels. The fellow prisoner was a writer and wrote a book called The Travels of Marco Polo. Marco Polo’s book encouraged other Western Europeans to travel. In particular, Christopher Columbus read Polo’s book and took careful notes on it. Columbus dreamed of finding his way to the east one day. 3- Who was Marco Polo?

4- What happened to Marco Polo when he returned to the Italian peninsula?

5- Why was a book written about Marco Polo’s travels?

6- What famous explorer was inspired or encouraged by Marco Polo?

7- What did this explorer dream of doing?

8- Why do you think he dreamed of doing this?