Unit 3 Exam

Use the map and your knowledge of Social Studies to answer the following question. What geographical feature limited contact between West Africa and lands to the north in ancient times?

• The Sahara
• The Congo Basin
• The Sahel
• The Atlas Mountains

Use the map and your knowledge of Social Studies to answer the following question. which of these statements about ancient West African empires is correct?

• Ghana and Songhai were the only empires to control land near the Niger River
• All kingdoms settled near the Nile River
• The kingdom of Songhai controlled the largest amount of territory
• Ghana was the only kingdom to control valuable trade routes

Use the map and your knowledge of Social Studies to answer the following question. Which river in West Africa played a crucial role in the development of early farming communities?

• Nile
• Niger
• Congo
• Senegal

What were the two primary goods exchanged along the trans-Saharan trade route during the period from 1300 to 1500?

• Salt
• Gold
• Gunpowder
• Diamonds
• Silk

Based on Source 1, which geographic feature most likely influenced the successful development of the West African kingdoms?

• The desert provided a protective barrier that prevented the kingdoms from invasion.
• The ocean coastline provided resources that could be traded with neighboring kingdoms.
• The mountains provided protection from enemy kingdoms.
• The savanna provided building materials for homes that kept people safe.

One way in which the African kingdoms of Ghana and Mali are similar is that they.....

• Improved their military strength with the use of gunpowder
• Opened trade routes to the Americas
• Established their wealth through trade
• Adopted Christianity as their major religion

Before converting to Islam, the people of Ghana believed in what?

• 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.

Which of the following best explains why the kingdom of Mali eventually fell apart?

• It lacked safe trade routes for merchants.
• It failed to hide the location of its gold mines.
• It was weakened by attacks from outside its borders.
• It was split up into smaller provinces ruled by governors.

____, the most famous ruler of Mali, when Mali reached its peak of wealth, power, & fame.

• Muhammad
• Mansa Musa
• Sundiata
• Sunni Ali

How did the Niger River contribute to the development of trade and commerce in early West African societies?

• Geography had no effect on the availability of trade routes.
• River systems provided natural trade routes, promoting economic interactions such as trade.
• Harsh terrains discouraged the establishment of trade routes in West Africa.