School Questionnaire

Sir Francis Drake was born in 1540 in Tavistock, Devon. Drake went on to become on of the most famous men in Elizabethan times. He is probably most famous for being the first Englishman to sail around the world and thereafter for fighting the Spanish Armada eight years later.He died in January 1596 in the Caribbean, aboard the Defiance, of yellow fever and dysentry aged 56.

Our school visits (where time permits) include an activity for pupils to answer a set of questions to help build understanding and consolidate learning. Typical questions are listed below. These questions may also be used back in school as a follow-up to the visit.

Questionnaire (1)

1. Who was the Captain of the Golden Hind?
2. What was the name of the Golden Hind’s gunner?
3. In what year did the Golden Hind set sail?
4. Why were live animals kept on the ship?
5. Name three types of live animals that might have been on board?
6. What musical instrument on the ship bears Drake’s coat of arms?
7. How long did the voyage last?
8. How many masts does the Golden Hind have?
9. Who had their own private cabin and office on the ship?
10. What was the name of the Golden Hind’s carpenter?
11. Who looked after the health of the sailors?
12. Who was executed for mutiny during the voyage?
13. In today's money, what was the approximate value of the treasure on board?
14. What is your favourite part of the ship, and why?

Questionnaire (2)

1. How many men lived below decks?
2. How many cannon did the Golden Hind carry?
3. What was the punishment for sleeping on duty?
4. Who was in charge of repairing the ship during the voyage?
5. How much beer was each man issued per day?
6. Why is fresh food important on a long sea journey?
7. How was fresh water for drinking collected whilst at sea?
8. Where did the ship’s officers live?
9. Why was the carpenter kept safe during battle?
10. What different kinds of shot could be used in the ship’s cannon?
11. When is Drake’s drum supposed to beat by itself?
12. Can you name the five continents that the ship sailed to on its voyage?

Download the questionnaire.