Directions: Did you know that the age of the Vikings, those infamous warriors and explorers of old, lasted 300 years, from 700 to 1100 AD? Sail across the Web to learn about these colorful characters and their exciting adventures! Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper, or on the reproducible provided by your teacher. 

This page includes links outside of Scholastic.com.

Name: ___________________________________________

1. The Vikings came from three Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. They were also known as the _________________ people. In the Old Norse language, the word “Viking” means __________________.

Find the answer at: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/vikings/invasion/index.shtml

2. Vikings were great travelers and explorers. They sailed all around Europe, discovering the remote countries of _______________________, __________, and ____________. One famous Viking, _________________, even landed in America

Find the answer at: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/vikings/travel/travel3.shtml

3. Since some Vikings were warrior pirates, they had ships that made it easy to land on _________ ___________________________________ without a harbor, and raid local villages. Two kinds ofViking boats were the Longship and the ____________

Find the answer at: http://viking.no/e/travels/evikingships.htm

4. Vikings sailed mainly along the coasts, but when they had to be at sea, they navigated by watching the North Star, the sun, _____________, ______________, and ________________. (Vikings also observed fleas, since they always crawl north!)

Find the answer at: http://library.thinkquest.org/C003446/a.php?b=14

5. Viking pirates fought hand-to-hand using knives, _________, and __________________. They often raided without warning. When they faced their enemies on shore, unusually fierce Vikings called ________________ warriors would attack first to instill fear.

Find the answer at: www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/v_warriors.htm

6. Not all Vikings raided others for their treasures. Many were traders, and most were ___________ who traveled to find ________________.

Find the answer at: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/vikings/invasion/index.shtml

7. In Viking mythology, there were many gods. The most powerful of these Viking gods was known as __________, while the most popular god was Thor, the god of ___________. He was so popular that the word __________________ is even named after him!

Find the answer at: www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/v_thor.htm

8. Vikings were also pioneers in the field of law. (In fact, the word “law” comes from a Viking word!) If you were found guilty of a crime by a jury, you would be __________ or declared an outlaw. An outlaw was ______________________________.

Find the answer at: http://viking.no/e/life/elaws.htm