Worksheet Questions - Sub-Saharan Africa and Related Topics

The Great African Rift Valley is forming at a boundary where tectonic plates move away from each other as magma rises and creates new crust, pulling the land apart. Which tectonic plate boundary is described by plates moving away from each other, often forming rift valleys and volcanic activity?

• Transform

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Subduction

Sub-Saharan Africa lies mostly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn in the tropics, where direct sunlight is received year-round and climates such as tropical rainforest and savanna are common. Which factor best explains why most of Sub‑Saharan Africa has warm temperatures throughout the year?

• Its high elevation

• Its distance from oceans

• Its location near the Equator

• Its position next to deserts

The savanna is a tropical grassland with warm temperatures year‑round, distinct wet and dry seasons, and enough rainfall for grasses and scattered trees but not dense forests. Which climate region is best known for tall grasses, scattered trees, seasonal rainfall, and large grazing animals?

• Arid

• Mediterranean

• Semiarid

• Tropical Semiarid

The Sahel is a semi‑arid transition zone between the Sahara Desert and the savanna with low and unpredictable rainfall that supports grasses and shrubs. Why is the Sahel considered a transition zone rather than a single climate region?

• It receives heavy rainfall year‑round

• It shares characteristics of both deserts and grasslands

• It is completely covered by forests

• It has permanent river flooding

Desertification occurs when fertile land becomes dry and less productive. Human activities like overgrazing and deforestation remove vegetation that holds soil in place, while drought reduces rainfall. Which human activity most directly contributes to desertification by removing vegetation and exposing soil?

• Urbanization

• Overgrazing

• Mining

• Irrigation

Major river systems in Sub‑Saharan Africa, such as the Niger River, provide fertile soil, fresh water, and transportation routes; seasonal flooding deposits nutrient‑rich sediment, supporting subsistence agriculture and dense populations. Why do river valleys often support higher population densities than surrounding areas?

• Rivers create natural borders for protection

• Rivers provide fertile land and reliable water sources

• Rivers limit trade and movement

• Rivers prevent the spread of disease

Central Africa lies near the Equator, where the sun’s energy is strong and warm air rises, causing frequent rainfall and tropical rainforest climates. Why do equatorial regions like Central Africa typically experience heavy rainfall?

• Cold air sinks and traps moisture

• Warm air rises, cools, and releases precipitation

• Mountain barriers block rainfall

• Ocean currents prevent evaporation

The Bantu Migration spread people, languages, and technologies across Sub‑Saharan Africa over thousands of years, making Bantu languages and farming and ironworking practices dominant in many regions. Which outcome best demonstrates the long‑term impact of the Bantu Migration on Sub‑Saharan Africa?

• The complete disappearance of local cultures

• The spread of a shared language family across many regions

• The isolation of African societies from trade

• The dominance of desert climates in southern Africa

During European imperialism, colonial powers drew artificial borders in Africa that ignored ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups, forcing rivals together and separating others. Why did colonial borders contribute to conflict in many African countries after independence?

• They followed natural geographic features

• They strengthened traditional African governments

• They ignored ethnic and cultural boundaries

• They reduced competition for resources

Apartheid in South Africa was a system of legal racial segregation that denied political, social, and economic rights to non‑white citizens. Nelson Mandela opposed this policy and argued for a democratic society with equal rights for all races. Which characteristic best describes the policy Nelson Mandela was opposing?

• Government rule based on religious law

• Forced separation of people based on race

• Support for ethnic homelands

• Independence from colonial rule