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West African Trading Empires Exam

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

This is a map of Africa. What letter marks the location of the Niger River?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

2.
Who is known for spreading Islam into Mali?
a)
Muhammad
b)
Jesus
c)
Mansa Musa
d)
Sundiata Kieta
3.
The most important West African city, for trade and education, was
a)
Timbuktu
b)
Cairo
c)
Gao
d)
Rome
4.
Which two products were the most valuable trade items for the kingdoms of West Africa?
a)
gold and grain
b)
cotton and kola nuts
c)
gold and salt
d)
salt and cattle
5.
Mansa Musa was leader of which West African trading empire?
a)
Ghana
b)
Mali
c)
Songhai
d)
Axum
6.

What effects did the rule of Mansa Musa have on Mali and West Africa?

a)

Professional armies were built up to protect trade routes.

b)

Other countries became aware of the riches of West Africa

c)

Islam spread across North Africa

d)

All of the above

7.

What visitor to Africa's writings contributed to our understanding of Ancient West Africa?

a)

Marco Polo

b)

Ibn Battutah

c)

Mansa Musa

d)

King Tut

8.

Which of the following is not a reason why salt was a very important trade item?

a)

Salt was used to preserve food.

b)

Salt was used to make bland food tasty.

c)

People need salt in their diet.

d)

Salt is used to make explosives.

9.

What geographic feature in northern Africa limited Western African civilizations contact with Europe and Asia?

a)

Niger River

b)

Nile River

c)

Sahara Desert

d)

Senegal River

10.

Which of the following was not an empire in West Africa?

a)

Songhai

b)

Mali

c)

Ghana

d)

Koumbi Saleh

11.

How were the Berbers able to reach and trade with West Africa?

a)

They sailed around the horn of Africa

b)

They navigated up the Niger River

c)

Through a series of catapult delivery systems

d)

They established trade routes across the Sahara Desert

12.

The traditional religion of Animism believes...

a)

Objects in nature have souls or spirits

b)

In worship of of Mohammad

c)

All animals go to heaven

d)

In the Eight-fold Path of Islam

13.
The Sahara is
a)
the world's largest desert
b)
Africa's longest river
c)
a high mountain range
d)
an empire in early Africa
14.
What was the main reason camels were used as the dominant source of transportation across northern Africa?
a)
They were strong climbers that crossed mountains with ease.
b)
They were calm on ships that crossed the Niger River.
c)
They were very good at traveling across the Sahara Desert.
d)
They were suited for travel across the muddy savanna.
15.

Which is not a zone that makes up Africa's distinct geographic regions.

a)

Tundra to the south

b)

Rain Forest at the Equator

c)

Savanna covering 40%

d)

Desert in the North

e)

Mediterranean