Ghana Empire

How did the kings of Ghana grow their kingdom’s economy? (5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• They produced illuminated manuscripts.

• They collected taxes from traders.

• They maintained a strong military.

• They explored new territories.

Which detail from the map supports the conclusion that Kumbi Saleh was the most important city in Ghana? (5.5, 5.5.a, 5.6, 5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• It was close to an ocean.

• It was near the Volta River.

• It was at the edge of the Sahara.

• It was at the center of several trade routes.

From which city did traders take a route to Egypt? (5.6, 5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• Gao

• Walata

• Timbuktu

• Awdaghust

Why were the animals in the image ideal for the trans-Saharan trade? Select the two correct answers. (5.11, 5.11.b, 5.11.c)

• They were easy to ride.

• They were friendly and calm.

• They could remember the location of oases.

• They could travel several days without water.

• They had broad feet for walking on hot sand.

What was one effect of the trans-Saharan trade? (5.11, 5.11.c)

• People in North Africa ended the slave trade.

• People in West Africa converted to Islam.

• Demand for gold decreased in Europe.

• Demand for salt increased in Asia.

Which line from the passage shows that salt was as valuable as precious metals in West Africa? (5.2, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.11)

• “There is no tree in the place; it has nothing but sand for soil; and in this are mines of salt.”

• “No one, however, resides in these [houses] except the servants of the merchants, who dig for the salt. . . .”

• “For this, they dig in the earth, and find thick tables of it, so laid together as if they had been cut and placed under ground.”

• “To them come the people of Sudan from their different districts, and load themselves with the salt, which among them passes for money. . . .”

Why were the economic activities described in the passage important to Ghana? (5.2, 5.2.a, 5.11)

• Salt was a key source of wealth.

• Salt was used in gold mining.

• Salt was an important part of their diet.

• Salt helped homes stay cool in the summer.

Which commodity helped Ghana expand its empire through conquest? (5.11, 5.11.b)

• iron

• gold

• kola nuts

• shea butter

What were the original religious beliefs of people living in the Ghana Empire? (5.11)

• They believed that plants and animals were sacred.

• They believed that the king was the son of a god.

• They believed that all people should visit Mecca.

• They believed that Muhammad was a prophet.

What is one reason why the Ghana Empire fell? (5.11, 5.11.b)

• The southern mines produced less gold.

• Conflict arose between Ghana’s leaders.

• The people of Mali defeated Ghana’s kings.

• Changing weather patterns caused difficulties.