West African Kingdoms & the Spread of Islam

1. What were the three major West African kingdoms?

• A. Egypt, Mali, and Morocco

• B. Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

• C. Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Egypt

• D. Mali, Kongo, and Axum

2. What valuable goods were traded across the trans-Saharan trade routes?

• A. Spices and silk

• B. Timber and fish

• C. Gold and salt

• D. Oil and diamonds

3. Who was the famous king of Mali who made a pilgrimage to Mecca?

• A. Askia Muhammad

• B. Tunka Manin

• C. Mansa Musa

• D. Sundiata Keita

4. How did Islam spread to West Africa?

• A. Through war

• B. Through missionaries only

• C. Through the trans-Saharan trade routes

• D. Through explorers from Europe

5. What city became a center of Islamic learning and trade in Mali and Songhai?

• A. Cairo

• B. Gao

• C. Timbuktu

• D. Accra

6. What advantages did camels provide for traders crossing the Sahara?

• A. They could carry large amounts of gold.

• B. They needed very little water and could travel long distances.

• C. They could fly over the desert.

• D. They could trade directly with Europe.

7. How did Ghana, Mali, and Songhai benefit from the salt trade?

• A. They made gold jewelry.

• B. They taxed traders, grew wealthy, and expanded their empires.

• C. They used it only for religious ceremonies.

• D. They traded salt for silver and glass.

8. Which Songhai ruler built schools and used Islamic law in government?

• A. Mansa Musa

• B. Sundiata Keita

• C. Askia Muhammad

• D. Tunka Manin

9. How did Islamic scholars help the empires of Mali and Songhai?

• A. They taught magic

• B. They built castles

• C. They helped with education and laws

• D. They traded animals

10. How do you think the West African empires, like Mali and Songhai, influenced modern West African societies?

• A. They stopped trading across Africa

• B. Their ideas on trade, education, and governance still affect modern governments

• C. They kept people from learning new languages

• D. They created strict borders that divided Africa