For several centuries, American history books only contained information about two early English colonies, Jamestown and Plymouth. However, another colony was built, predictably almost simultaneously but lost for hundreds of years before its rediscovery. The colony first began when an expedition lead by George Popham and Raleigh Gilbert at second-in-command located their site in Maine, near the mouth of the Kennebec River. (2) The colony was first named Fort St. George, later changed to Popham, after the leader of its founder. However, Popham lasted merely over a year to be forgotten for the next four hundred years compared to Jamestown and Plymouth, which remained for a longer period.
After Popham’s fall, it was left behind to remain buried under the soils of a powerful nation until its rediscovery. In 1990, an archaeologist named Jeffrey P. Brain, decided to search for the remaining site of Popham when he (14c) learned of its history during a vacation in Maine. While searching for traces of where Popham was located, he came upon “The Hunt Map,” a detailed drawing of Popham drawn by a colonist, John Hunt. The map was spectacular and rare in the fact that it is the only known detailed map which records what buildings in early English colonies actually looked like. [¦] The map contained a total of eighteen buildings, including the admiral’s house, a chapel, and a storehouse. [¦] Nevertheless, (3) the accuracy of the map remained under question until Brian found the remains of a storehouse located exactly where the map pinpointed the building. [¦] Soon the map helped find the entire site where Popham existed. [¦] However, such a historically important source to England was mysteriously found in the Spanish archives. During the period of the settlement of English colonies, tensions between Spain and England were rising, making it more confusing on why the map was found in the Spanish archives. Beginning with the territorial claims of France in America, European nations such as England and Spain sought to colonize the New World in order to gain the upper hand in the fierce economic competition
Archaeologists have wondered why Popham seized to last for over a year while Plymouth and Jamestown succeeded. (6)Despite the hardships that Jamestown went through, it survived throughout the ages compared Popham which is believed to have suffered from fewer problems. Jamestown is known to have experienced a loss of approximately seventy percent of its population during “The Starving Period” while Popham has only one recorded death throughout its own history. In Jamestown, bones of various animals including horses, cats, and dogs were found, indicating that they were eaten by the colonists. (7) Archaeologists found it odd to find that animals of such quality, especially the horse, were eaten and assumed that colonists had to be extremely hungry to turn to such animals for food. Even though conditions in Popham were better than Jamestown, (14e) Popham was completely abandoned within three incidents. The death of Sir John Popham in England, the sponsor of the expedition, inflicted the first blow. Reduction of supplies and support for the colony caused changes and more problems were caused by this loss. In the following year, the leader, George Popham also died, following the succession of Raleigh Gilbert, nephew of a maritime adventurer. (9) Raleigh Gilbert, decided to leave for England when he learned that he had inherited the family’s estates after the death of his older brother. Without any potential leaders left, the colonists decided to return to England, while some may have left for Plymouth. Within a short period of just a little over a year after its founding, Popham was completely abandoned.
Nevertheless, Popham’s failure proves valuable in two ways. First, the experience and lessons taught at Popham were used by future colonies for their success. Colonists of Popham could have contributed to the success of Plymouth and Jamestown with their knowledge. (14f) It is stated that the failed colony became the cornerstone of early English America, giving an idea of how valuable its failure meant. Another fact that makes Popham so significant is that it lasted only a year, making it extremely rare among archaeological sites, which are usually covered with series of human development. Its short timeline allows archaeologists to depict the exact image of what early English America looked like. In this way, it has made an extraordinary contribution to history. Some archaeologists even suggest that Popham’s value lies in its failure itself.
Vocab.
The word “simultaneously” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Alternatively – ????
Subsequently – ? ??, ??
Coincidentally – ????? *
Fact
According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true about Popham?
American history textbooks contained information about Popham for several centuries-??
Popham lasted longer than any other early English colony-??
Popham was lost for four hundred years along with Jamestown and Plymouth-?? *
Fact
According to paragraph 2 the accuracy of the Hunt Map remained in question until
Eighteen buildings were discovered at a relatively similar location drawn in the map–?? ??
The person who had drawn the map was confirmed to have been a colonist in Popham-???
An archaeologist used the map to locate the entire site of the lost colony–? ?? ??? ??? ??? ? *
Infer
What can be inferred from the discovery of the map in the Spanish archives?
A Spanish merchant legally bought or traded the map from England in order to build their own colony - ??? ??? ??? *
England intentionally gave the map to Spain since it was of no value in its possession : ??
John Hunt was a Spanish colonist who was sent by Spain in means of cooperating and learning about the New World with England – ?? ??
Highlight
Which of the following sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information
The territorial claims in the New World made by France prompted European nations such as England and Spain to find progress in the New World– ???: (1) ? (2)? ?? *
Competition in the New World between European nations was augmented when Spain and England began to claim territorial rights in America – ??: ? ?? (1) ? ??? ?? (3) ? ??? ??
Due to fierce economic competition between European nations, England and Spain were both cooperating for progress in the New World, starting with territorial claims of France – ????: (2)? ???? ??
Fact
According to paragraph 3, why did the archaeologists wonder about the quick fall of Popham?
Popham had more leaders than the other two colonies – ?? ??
Popham had a larger population than Jamestown – ?? ??
There were no reported death in Popham throughout its history – ?? ?? *
Purpose
Why does the author mention horses, cats, and dogs?
In order to argue that early colonies commonly faced starvation – ??? ???? ??? (misleading) *
To explain that these animals were of high quality among colonists – ???
To give examples of animals that were commonly eaten by the colonists – ?? ? ??? ???? ??? ??
Refer
The word this in paragraph 3 refers to
Reduction of supplies
Not having a sponsor *
Reduction of support for the colony
Purpose
Why does the author mention the death of Raleigh Gilbert’s older brother
In order to explain why Raliegh Gilbert inherited the family’s estates – ??? *
To give another example of a death which lead to Popham’s fall – ?? ??
To suggest a reason why Raleigh Gilbert decided to stay in Popham – ?? ??
Vocab.
The word “potential” in the passage is similar in meaning to
Clever – ???
Skilled – ?? ?? *
Favorable – ????
Infer
It can be inferred through the fall of Popham that
Other colonies of different nations were influenced by the lessons taught from the failure of Popham – ?? ?? *
Popham eventually succeeded after overcoming several obstacles and struggles
Colonists in Popham later became important leaders in New England – ?? ??
Vocab.
The word “depict” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Recall – ????
Imagine – ???? *
Build - ~ ????
Insert
Look at the four squares [¦] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a square [¦] to add the sentence to the passage.
Answer: a
Summary
An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Popham was one of the first successful English colonies which settled in the New World – ??
Fierce economic competition among European nations included England, Spain, and France – ??? *
Compared to Jamestown, records indicate that there was only one death in Popham, unfortunately, John Hunt –??
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