19.3 - West Africa

Open Ended

Bell Ringer

What geographic feature (ex. mountain, desert) lies between the Mediterranean and West Africa? What means of transport in ancient times made trade across this region possible?

Multiple Choice

What was Gorée Island, located off the coast of Senegal, primarily used for during the slave trade?

• A military base

• A trading post for spices

• A religious sanctuary

• A departure point for slaves being shipped to the Americas

Multiple Choice

What was the main economic activity that supported the early empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai in West Africa?

• Agriculture

• Manufacturing

• Fishing

• Trade of gold and salt

Multiple Choice

Which West African empire was the first to grow rich by taxing traders passing through its territory?

• Songhai

• Mali

• Benin

• Ghana

Dropdown

Skillbuilder: Interpreting Maps



About how far would a trader have to travel from Tunis to Timbuktu?​

Select answer

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Multiple Choice

What type of society is characterized by the absence of a centralized government and reliance on family lineages?

• Stateless society

• Democracy

• Monarchy

• Empire

Multiple Choice

What has been a significant factor in the economic struggles of Sierra Leone?

• Overpopulation

• Lack of natural resources

• Political instability and civil war

• Desertification

Multiple Choice

Which country in West Africa has seen its economy grow due to political stability and the export of natural resources like gold and oil?

• Mali

• Benin

• Ghana

• Liberia

Multiple Choice

What percentage of the population in Sierra Leone is literate?

• 65%

• 55%

• 45%

• 35%

Multiple Choice

Which West African country is known for its production of kente cloth, a traditional textile?

• Nigeria

• Ghana

• Senegal

• Mali

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the stool in Ashanti culture?

• It represents the unity between ancestral spirits and living family members.

• It is used as a tool for farming.

• It is a symbol of wealth and power.

• It is a sacred object used in religious rituals.

Multiple Choice

What is a common characteristic of traditional West African music?

• It is entirely instrumental.

• It blends traditional African rhythms with influences from jazz, blues, and reggae.

• It is performed only during religious ceremonies.

• It focuses solely on storytelling.

Categorize

Options (2)

benefitted from the gold and salt trade

Taxed traders passing through the territory

Exit Ticket: Part 1

Category 1: Similarities between the three West African Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and the Songhai.

Category 2: Differences between these three kingdoms.

Category 1

Category 2

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Part 2

What are some of the problems faced by West African economies?

Sentence Stem: Some problems the West African economies face are...