Trans-Saharan Trade Quiz

What two major goods were primarily traded along the Trans-Saharan trade routes?

• Spices and tea

• Gold and salt

• Silk and cotton

• Timber and wool

Which African empire was heavily involved in the gold trade during the height of the Trans-Saharan trade routes?

• Egyptian Empire

• Mali Empire

• Roman Empire

• Byzantine Empire

Why was salt such a valuable commodity in West Africa?

• It was rare in the region and essential for preserving food

• It was used as currency

• It was needed to build homes

• It was used in religious rituals

Which city became a key center for trade and learning during the Trans-Saharan trade period, especially under the Mali Empire?

• Cairo

• Timbuktu

• Marrakesh

• Mecca

What geographical feature made the Trans-Saharan trade routes difficult to travel?

• Thick forests

• Mountain ranges

• The Sahara Desert

• Wide rivers

What technology or innovation helped traders cross the Sahara Desert?

• Camel caravans

• Wooden carts

• Steamships

• Horses

Who was the famous ruler of the Mali Empire known for his immense wealth, especially in gold?

• Mansa Musa

• Sundiata Keita

• Askia the Great

• Shaka Zulu

In addition to goods like gold and salt, what else spread along the Trans-Saharan trade routes?

• Religion, especially Islam

• Plague and diseases

• Gunpowder

• Christianity

How did the Trans-Saharan trade routes impact the development of West African empires like Mali and Ghana?

• They weakened the empires due to constant warfare

• They led to economic prosperity and cultural exchanges

• They caused food shortages in West Africa

• They resulted in the colonization of West Africa by Europe

During his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, how did Mansa Musa display his wealth to the regions he passed through?

• By building mosques in every city he visited

• By giving away large amounts of gold to the poor

• By traveling with a fleet of ships filled with treasure

• By conquering neighboring lands