WorksheetsWest Africa
Total questions: 37
Worksheet time: 2hrs 37mins
Mali's location was important because it was near
salt mines to the north and gold mines to the south.
the Mediterranean Sea and sea trade routes.
copper mines to the east and kola nut trees to the west.
salt mines to the south and gold mines to the north.
What natural resource was used to preserve food and keep people healthy?
(a)
What valuable natural resource was mined to the south of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai and was the basis of currency north of the Sahara?
(a)
In what city was there a university with a large library with books from ancient Greece and Rome?
(a)
What rivers helped the traders in West Africa transport their goods?
Nile River
Congo River
Senegal River
Niger River
For traders to get to the empires of Ghana and Mali from North Africa they had to go through
the Sahara Desert.
the Kalahari Desert.
the Mediterranean Sea.
the Arabian Desert.
The city of Timbuktu was important because it had a
large market.
university and library.
mosque.
oasis.
Who was the first king of Mali?
Mansa Musa
Askia Muhammad
Suni Ali Ber
Sundiata
What city became the center of education?
Kumbi Saleh
Timbuktu
Gao
Taghaza
How were the traditions of ancient Mali passed down?
books
carved tablets
oral histories
written accounts
Why did the people of Ghana and early Mali need storytellers?
because they had no written language
because they needed a ruler
because they were good traders
Ghana and Mali traded which TWO items?
gold and fish
gold and salt
gold and timber
gold and bronze
Ghana and Mali developed in which region of Africa?
In the Empire of Mali, who was Mali's greatest leader?
(a)
What was the main religion of the Empire of Ghana?
Animism
What helped trade be possible across the Sahara?
(a)
Which city that was once an important center of trade and education for the Mali Empire?
Mecca
Timbuktu
Djenne
Gao
The major river that runs through Mali and was used for transportation, trade, and fishing is the
Nile River
Tiber River
Rio Grande
Niger River
Timbuktu is the location of
major libraries and universities.
trade center.
king's palace.
river.
What did Muslim traders bring with them to West Africa? Check all that are true.
A new religion
Directions on how to ride camels.
Tips on how to mine gold.
A new language
What new religion did traders bring to Ghana?
(a)
Why were camels important to Ancient Ghana?
They were used to carry goods across the Sahara.
Camels were a popular meat they liked to eat.
Camels were used as protection from lions.
The leaders of Ghana gained wealth from
taxing the people living in their empires.
selling the gold found in the empire.
collecting taxes from traders as they entered and exited the empires.
selling the salt mined in the empire.
In the Empire of Mali, who was Mali's greatest leader?
Sunni Ali
Mansa Musa
Sundiata
Askia Muhammad
What were the most significant items made of iron? Select all that are true
jewelry
farming tools
weapons
pots
Why was silent barter a wise way to trade in West Africa? Select all that are true.
They wanted to keep the location of the gold mines a secret.
People spoke different languages.
This kept trade peaceful.
No one wanted to trade in West Africa.
Which of these goods was LEAST likely to be traded across the desert?
silver
gold
salt
slaves
What would Sundiata and Mansa Musa have in common?
Both ruled over the Mali Empire in Africa.
Both ruled over the Songhai Empire in Africa.
Both ruled over the Ghana Empire in Africa.
Both didn't rule over any Empire in Africa.
The Sahel is
a large desert.
open grassland where no animals live.
a strip of land along the Mediterranean ideal for farming.
land that divides the desert from wetter areas.
