West African Empires Quiz

What is the largest desert that covers most of North America making trade more difficult?

• Kalahari

• Taklamakan

• Gobi

• Sahara

What river did the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai settle by?

• Nile

• Niger

• Indus

• Tiber

Who were griots and why were they important in African societies?

• slaves who started a rebellion and became free

• warriors who kept the trade routes safe

• rich landowners who controlled the government

• storytellers who passed on the history of Africa

How did the silent barter system help Ghana increase its power?

• it helped trade become fair and peaceful

• it made their military able to sneak up on enemies

• it gave them a better way to build boats

• it gave people the right to choose their own religion

How did Mansa Musa and Askia help the Mali and Songhai?

• they were great writers who wrote important stories

• they were leaders who helped education, trade, and religion

• they were travelers from Europe who brought new goods and ideas

• they were inventors who created a new way to grow food in the desert

What were the major goods traded in Ghana?

• copper and wool

• gold and salt

• gunpowder and rubber

• silk and glass

What city was a trade center in Africa during the Middle Ages?

• London

• Salvador

• Timbuktu

• Kilmanjaro

What religion came to West Africa and had a lot of influence during the Mali and Songhai Empire?

• Islam

• Hinduism

• Zen Buddhism

• Shinto

What is the "shore" area between the wet and dry lands in Africa called?

• Sahel

• Peninsula

• Savannah

• Plateau

Why were caravans important in West Africa?

• They allowed the armies to win more battles

• They brought fresh soil to the land for farming

• They allowed traders to travel in groups for safety and support

• They made it possible to build buildings several stories high