Final answer:
The statements about Spain being the first country to search for a sea route to Asia, and Vasco da Gama sailing for Spain, are not true. Portugal was the first country to begin the era of Atlantic exploration and sought a sea route to Asia, while Vasco da Gama sailed for Portugal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key concepts for selecting the statements out of the options A to D that are not true are rooted in historical facts about European exploration and the figures associated with it.
Option A: This statement is tricky. While Sir Francis Drake was an English explorer, he was also considered by the Spanish as a pirate due to his privateering activities. He was sponsored by Queen Elizabeth I to conduct raids on Spanish treasure, which to the English would make him a privateer, while the Spanish would indeed consider him a pirate. Therefore, this statement could be seen as both true and false, depending on the perspective.
Option B: Spain was not the first country to search for a sea route to Asia. Portugal initiated the era of Atlantic exploration in the early 15th century and was the first to search for an all-water route to the east.
Option C: The use of spices to preserve food is accurate as spices were indeed used historically to preserve food, as well as to flavor it.
Option D: Vasco da Gama did not sail for Spain; he was a Portuguese explorer who found a direct sea route from Europe to India.