The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Grænlendinga Saga, Chapters 1 - 2, Eirik Explores Greenland, Bjarni Sights Land to the West

1. What circumstances caused Eirik the Red to leave Iceland?

2. How did Eirik know to look for Greenland? What did he do when he found it?

3. What do we know about the emigration from Iceland to Greenland?

4. Why is Bjarni away when his father emigrates to Greenland?

5. Describe the circumstances of Bjarni's discovery of new lands to the west.

6. Why was Bjarni determined to reach Greenland?...
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