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Western Africa Ghana and Mali

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
This kingdom existed from 400 - 1100 in western Africa. 
a)
Ghana
b)
Mali
c)
Songhai
d)
Zimbabwe
2.
Which two natural resources led to the rise of all the western African kingdoms?
a)
Salt and Gold
b)
Salt and Diamonds
c)
Silver and Gold
d)
Platinum and DIamonds
3.

What was the main reason Ghana profited from the trade industry?

a)
They charged traders taxes to pass through. 
b)

They took half of the goods being traded. 

c)

They were the oness doing all the trading, so it was 100% profit

d)
They did not permit trade.
4.
The following was the first Islamic civilization in Africa. 
a)
Ghana
b)
Mali
c)
Songhai
d)
Axum
5.
These people told the history and folktales of Africa before they began writing it down. 
a)
Griots
b)
Prophets
c)
Diviners
d)

Sundiata

6.

This empire was formed around 1200 at the collapse of the Empire of Ghana. 

a)
Mali
b)
Songhai
c)
Zimbabwe
d)
Axum
7.

He was exiled from his home as a small crippled boy but came back as a brilliant military leader and conquered his brother and established himself as leader of Mali.  

a)
Sunni Ali
b)
Mansu Musa
c)
Sundiata Keita
d)
Ibn Battuta
8.
This ocean is on the west of Africa.
a)
Atlantic
b)
Indian
c)
Pacific
d)
Mediterannean
9.

What country is highlighted here?

a)
Mali
b)
Mauritania
c)
Gambia
d)
Sierra Leone
10.

Located in Africa, this is the largest desert in the world?

a)

Savanna

b)

Sahara

c)

Shawarma

d)

Sahel

11.

The savanna is an area in Africa where_____?

a)

the area south of the Sahara

b)

wild plant life

c)

zone of towering trees and dense leaves

d)

grasslands with few scattered trees

12.

What was the name of the road that traders would use to get across the desert to trade with West African empires?

a)

Trans-Continental railroad

b)

The Silk Road

c)

The Trans-Saharan Caravan road

d)

The Suez Canal

13.

Which is a TRUE statement about Ghana?

a)

Ancient Ghana was a very poor kingdom.

b)

Ancient Ghana paid taxes to traders who entered the kingdom.

c)

Ancient Ghana was rich in diamonds and silk.

d)

Ancient Ghana was ruled by powerful kings who supported trade.

14.
Why was salt so important?
a)
It was expensive
b)
It helped keep food fresh
c)
It tasted good
d)
All of the answers are correct
15.
Ghana, Mali, and Songhai all developed in which region of Africa?
a)
West Africa
b)
East Africa
c)

South Africa

d)

North Africa

16.

How did Ghana reach the height of their greatness?

a)

Epic battles against Macedonia

b)

Careful management of the gold trade

c)

Their agricultural skills helped create a surplus

d)

Their strict code of laws that focused on social structure

17.

Why was the Niger River important for the Mali Empire in medieval Africa?

a)

It provided a way to access the Atlantic Ocean.

b)

It provided a way to access the Mediterranean Sea.

c)

It provided a way to transport large amounts of goods.

d)

It provided a way to move troops to invade northern areas.

18.

Which area of medieval Africa was MOST associated with the production of salt?

a)

desert

b)

forest

c)

mountains

d)

savanna

19.

Based on the climate and geography of Africa, why do you think the African Empires relied more on trading than agriculture?

a)

Because of the desert climate, they were unable to produce many crops

b)

They were broken up by mountains and islands

c)

West Africa was a peninsula covered mostly by mountains

d)

West Africa was located in the mountains, making agriculture difficult

20.

Besides gold and salt, what was another major good that was traded in Medieval Western Africa?

a)

Lion pelts

b)

Camel

c)

Ivory

d)

Oil