Between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He, one of China’s greatest explorers, made a total of seven voyages, with china, silk, tea and other treasures     1     gifts for foreign rulers, and paying friendly visits to more than 30 countries and regions. As they sailed, the     2    (navigator) took compass readings, kept logs of their voyages and charted the coast. Later the detailed maps became Zheng He’s Navigation Map.

Zheng He’s seven voyages had a far­reaching impact on China and its neighbours,     3     helped develop and strengthen     4     (harmony) relations with these countries and regions, exposing foreign people to Chinese culture, and allowing the Chinese to better understand overseas lands.

Some historians     5     (dismiss) the records of these voyages as legends till an enormous shipyard was discovered in Nanjing, where the fleet had been built. Zheng He’s accomplishments are now widely     6     (acknowledge), and he is remembered as one of China’s most influential explorers.

The explorer Christopher Columbus born in a port city loved sailing and showed great interest in geography when young. In the     7     (challenge) journey he started on 3 August 1492, Columbus succeeded in finding some new islands. He     8     (convince) that the islands he reached were in the East Indies. However, the shores they had reached were of the Caribbean, not the East Indies.

Columbus “discovered” the New World, which     9     (inspire) explorers to explore and discover more vast areas of the world. His voyages opened a new chapter of the Age of Exploration, a period witnessing many important geographical findings and also allowing     10     an international exchange of ideas and cultures.

After seeing the advertisement in the newspaper, Perce Blackborow resolved     1     (join) the Antarctic expedition led by Sir Ernest Shackleton no matter what challenges might lie ahead. Unfortunately, his application was turned     2     because he was too young and not qualified     3    the expedition. However, he managed to get aboard the Endurance with his friend’s help. He     4     (hide) in a cupboard, but was soon discovered and brought to Shackleton. Although the captain was angry, he assigned the boy     5     (cook) for the crew. Their voyage did not go smoothly, and the Endurance became     6     (stick) in the ice. Before the Endurance was crushed and    7     (sink) into the sea, Shackleton had the ship     8     (abandon), and the crew had to camp on ice. They then sailed to Elephant Island. Soon after that, Shackleton selected a boat party and set off     9     South Georgia Island to seek help.