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How much do you know about pirates? Have you just watched the new “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie? Have you read any other facts about pirates? Do you think that you are an expert on “Blackbeard”, “Captain William Kidd” or even “Captain Jack Sparrow”?

Try to see if you know the answers to these interesting pirate questions. But remember, there are still many unanswered questions about pirates. Ahoy Matey!

Answer TRUE or FALSE:

1) A pirate is a robber who works at sea rather than land. Answer: True - For as long as people have been transporting valuables by ships, pirates have been around trying to rob them.

2) The pirate crew often votes on who their Captain would be? Answer: True - Life aboard a pirate ship was often ruled by a democracy (pirate crews often voted on who their Captain would be).

3) It’s up to the Captain of the ship to discipline his crew. Answer: False - Discipline was strictly enforced by a pirate’s code of conduct.

4) Booty is another word for pirate’s treasure.
Answer: True - Booty is another word for treasure, and is always shared evenly amongst the crew.

5) A pirate flag was designed to strike fear into the victims. Answer: True - A pirate flag was designed to strike fear into the victims and encourage a speedy surrender.

6) Women pirates were not common on ships because they were considered ‘bad luck’.
Answer: True - Women pirates weren’t common because they were considered ‘bad luck’. Two of the most famous female pirates who often dressed as men were Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

7) Named after his large black beard that covered his entire face, Edward “Blackbeard” Teach was one of the most feared pirates of all time.
Answer: True - Edward “Blackbeard” Teach was one of the most feared pirates of all time. His tactic was to light matches into his beard and hair to scare people.

8) A ‘Privateer’ was a pirate who worked for himself.
Answer: False - Privateers worked for the government and were given a license called a ‘Letter of Marque and Reprisal’ to attack other countries’ ships.

9) The word ‘Buccaneer’ is used to describe pirates and privateers who had bases in the West Indies.
Answer: True - Buccaneers got their name from the meaning of the French word “boucan” (which means barbecue), as they were frequently seen barbecuing their meat on grill.

10) When peace developed between the European countries, many privateers became jobless.
Answer: True – Unemployment led to an increase in piracy during the Golden Age because ships loaded with treasure from the Americas often sailed through the Caribbean Sea.

11) Today piracy has been eliminated along the main trade routes. Answer: True - Piracy has been eliminated along the main trade routes but still is found in Southeast Asia and some parts of the Caribbean.

Aaaargh…Good Job Matey! You’ve definitely earned your booty!