Read the passage. This edition of the Columbus letter, printed in Basel
in 1494. is illustrated. The five woodcuts, which
supposedly illustrate Columbus's voyage and the
New World, are in fact mostly imaginary, and were
probably adapted drawings of Mediterranean
places. This widely published report made
Columbus famous throughout Europe. It earned him
the title of Admiral, secured him continued royal
patronage, and enabled him to make three more
trips to the Caribbean, which he firmly believed to
the end was a part of Asia. Seventeen editions of
the letter were published between 1493 and 1497
Only eight copies of all the editions are extant.
-"Columbus's Voyage and the New World," Library
of Congress
Which statement best describes the viewpoint
expressed in the passage?
The contents of the letter are corroborated by the
illustrations of the voyages.
The fame that Columbus gained from his
voyages is based on unreliable sources.
O The illustrations of Columbus's voyages are direct
evidence of his accomplishments.
The trips that Columbus took allowed him to
make important discoveries about the world.