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Ch. 8 Lesson 1: Rise of African Civilizations

Total questions: 13

Worksheet time: 7mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

This climate zone/biome covers 40 % of northern Africa.

a)

Sahel

b)

Rainforest

c)

Savanna

d)

Desert

2.

These large grasslands are the home of lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and most large animals.

a)

Savanna

b)

Desert

c)

Rainforest

d)

Sahel

3.

This climate zone is very wet and covers only 10% of Africa. Monkeys and gorillas live here.

a)

Savanna

b)

Sahel

c)

Rainforest

d)

Desert

4.

Most of Africa is a plateau. What is a plateau?

a)

An African empire

b)

Flatland that is high above sea level

c)

A climate zone/biome

d)

A French pastry

5.

What was the trans-Saharan trade?

a)

Trade through the Saharan Mountains

b)

Trade through the Saharan Sea

c)

Trade through the Saharan Desert

d)

Trade through the Arabian Peninsula

6.

Why was the camel so revolutionary to the trans-Saharan trade when it was introduced to Africa in the 200s?

a)

It could quickly cross the desert with little water

b)

It could run faster than a horse

c)

It could find oases on its own

7.

What outside influences did the trans-Saharan trade bring to West Africa?


(Pick all that apply)

a)

The Islamic religion

b)

The Arabic language/writing

c)

Islamic architecture

d)

Christianity

8.

What two items were the most important for Ghana, Mali, and Songhai?

a)

Slaves and weapons

b)

Ivory and spices

c)

Salt and gold

d)

Ostrich feathers and leather

9.

Who was the richest person in the world?

a)

Sundiata Keita of Mali

b)

Askia Muhammad of Songhai

c)

Mansa Musa of Mali

d)

Empress Wu of China

10.

What river provided West African empires with fertile soil for farming and an easy means of travel/trade?

a)

Nile River

b)

Niger River

c)

Congo River

11.

Before Islam, most West Africans believe in a single creator god.

a)

True

b)

False

12.

How were the rulers of West African empires able to control the trans-Saharan trade?

a)

They taxed products coming into and out of the empire

b)

They had large armies to protect traders and stop invaders

c)

They sacrificed humans to scare the public and show their power

d)

They ran all the trade themselves from a central market

13.

This rich West African city was famous for its universities, scholars, and mosques.

a)

Gao

b)

Rome

c)

Timbuktu