West Africa Facts

What is the meaning of smelting?

• a vegetation zone of tall grasses and scattered trees

• the process of melting ore to produce iron or other metals

• the process of mining salt from Taghaza

• a large, hot and dry dessert in North Africa

Few large settlements developed in the Sahara because it was too

• dry

• hilly

• swampy

• rocky

What is the main reason why people in different vegetation zones traded with each other?

• Large empires ruled over different zones.

• Differnet resources were found in each zone.

• The Niger River passed through different zones.

• The zones were home to different cultural groups.

How did the Niger River encourage trade?

• It was a source fo food.

• It was a transportation route.

• Its annual floods provided rich soil.

• It provided wat for baking.

What belongs in the blank below?

city grows rich from trade - __________________ - A kingdom is formed

• City rulers conquer other cities.

• Kings demand payment in tribute.

• villages unite for protection.

• Extended families choose a leader.

Which of these was an advantage of becoming part of an empire?

• paying tribute to the king

• trading with the governor

• having to serve in the army

• getting protection from raiders

Early travelers described Ghana as a land of

• taxes.

• oases.

• gold.

• wonder.

How did Ghana raise money to pay government ofiicials?

• by mining salt.

• by selling gold.

• by taxing goods.

• by buying camels.

Ghana's societies were matralineal, which means that power was passed on to

• the kings daughters.

• the wife of the king.

• the king's niece.

• the son of the king's sister.

The trans- Saharan trade increased after about 300 CE as a result of the

• growth fo cities.

• introduction of camels.

• discovery of salt.

• population increase.