Early African Civilizations Test Review

“One similarity between the ancient kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai is that all three kingdoms were located _____________.” Which best completes the statement? 

• in west Africa
• in what is now Ethiopia
• on the southern tip of Africa
• in central Africa

How did the geography of West Africa affect long distance trade on the continent?

• The large number of easily navigated rivers made it possible to transport goods quickly.
• Diverse ecological zones required different modes of transportation making trade difficult.
• Large mountain ranges made it challenging to transport good across the continent.
• Dry, flat land and mild temperature made the transporation of goods easy.

What was the main reason camels were used as the dominant source of transportation across northern Africa?

• They were strong climbers that crossed mountains with ease.
• They were calm on ships that crossed the Niger River.
• They were very good at traveling across the Sahara Desert.
• They were suited for travel across the muddy savanna.

How did the growth of trade in West African kingdoms impact Islam?

• Islam lost supporters as the religion lost cultural importance.
• Islam spread as people from the Middle East refused to trade.
• Islam lost supporters as West African kingdoms conquered the Middle East.
• Islam spread as the trading networks grew.

Why did the West African gold and salt traders depend on various modes of transportation such as camels, boats, and donkeys?

• The governments of West Africa each named different modes of transporation as official.
• The large trade network occupied different climates and geographies that required different modes of transportation.
• The trade network connected many different cultures that all used the mode of transporation with which they were most comfortable.
• The neighboring kingdoms gave gifts of different inventions animals in exchange for a portion of the gold and salt trades.

How did geography influence the growth of Ghana and Songhai?

• Both were located at the northern end of the trade route through the Alps.
• Both were located at the southern end of the Saharan trade route.
• Both became important trade ports on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
• Both became important trade ports on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

In which ecological zone are gold mines located?

• Sahara
• Sahel
• savanna
• rain forest

During the Middle Ages, the major African Empires were located...

• East Africa.
• South Africa.
• West Africa.
• Central Africa.

Why was salt so valuable?

• People needed salt to preserve food.
• Salt was used as a fertilizer for crops.
• Salt was used as a medicine.
• Salt was used in many religious ceremonies.

In Ghana, which city became the capital due to its location near the Sahel transition from savannah to desert?

• Gao
• Timbuktu
• Koumbi-Saleh
• Jenne