71. Imagine that you have discovered a new continent! What would be the first thing you would do there and why? How would you get other people to believe you about your discovery?
72. Christopher Columbus bought orange seeds and the seeds of other citrus plant to the Americas from Spain. What are some things you would bring from your town to a foreign land? Do you think they would be as popular as orange trees? Why or why not?
73. Some states refuse to celebrate Columbus Day, making it a somewhat controversial national holiday. Why do you think Columbus Day is controversial? Do you personally think it should be celebrated? Why or why not?
74. Imagine that you and some friends are on a boat ride and that you are looking far off into the distance using a telescope. You see something surprising and you can't wait to tell everybody about it. What do you see and how will it change your life?
75. Being out at sea can be rough, especially for a person who gets seasick. Have you ever gotten seasick? If you did, how would you try to improve your condition?
76. If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world via boat, where would it be and why? How long do you think the journey would take and what would you do when you arrived there?
77. How would the area around your hometown have been different in 1492? Describe what you might see if you went for a short walk through your town way back when.
78. As one of the first Europeans in the Americas, Christopher Columbus had the privilege of naming different places and things. If you were the first person in a new land, what would you name it and how would you name the plants and animals you saw there?
79. Imagine that you had to ask the President of the United States permission for a major project. What would the project be? How would you be able to convince him or her?
80. Create a dialogue between two members of Christopher Columbus's crew the day after they first spotted land in the Americas. What would the two of them have to talk about and why?Use the above prompts or article as inspiration to write a story or other short piece.
