Early Societies in West Africa

From the discovery of Jenne-Jeno, what did historians learn about the history of West Africa?

• It was a vast area with four zones

• It became organized into kingdoms

• It depended on several kinds of crops

• It had cities more than 1600 years ago

What technology did the Nok people adopt as early as 500 B.C.E.?

• the wheel

• the aqueduct

• ironworking

• paper making

How did the Niger River encourage trade?

• It was a source of food
• It was a transportation route
• Its annual floods provided rich soil
• It provided water for baking

Compared to the West African savanna, the Sahel has

• better soil
• taller grass
• more cattle
• less rainfall

Few large settlements developed in the Sahara because it was too...

• dry
• hilly
• large
• rocky

Which of these clues about the African past describes an artifact?

• a palm forest
• a farming tool
• a family legend
• a traditional dance

What is the best title for this list: Ghana, Mali, Songhai?

• Trading cities of the Sahara
• Tribes who ruled the Desert
• Early kingdoms of West Africa
• Animal Gods of the Niger Valley

A vegetation zone of tall grasses and scattered trees, with a long rainy season

• tropical area

• rain forest

• savanna

• woodland

If aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, children, and cousins live together in the same household, these people are members of

• a group household

• a kinship home

• an age-set.

• an extended family

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