WorksheetsWest African Kingdoms Study Guide
Total questions: 21
Worksheet time: 42mins
Which natural resources helped the Ghana kingdom become powerful? (Choose 2)
gold
grains
salt
copper
In the kingdom of Ghana, who were forced to cut large blocks of salt before camels hauled them to the savanna?
enslaved people
kings
women
queens
In the kingdom of Ghana, who taxed gold before it could be traded?
enslaved people
kings
women
queens
Which kingdom completes the graphic organizer?
Kingdom of Mali
Kingdom of Timbuktu
Kingdom of Songhai
Kingdom of Ghana
How did trading routes between cities like Djenné and Timbuktu become the key to the exchange of cultural traditions?
Trading routes were places where cultural traditions became popular.
People practiced cultural traditions like dancing and singing along trading routes.
Trading routes were set up explicitly so that people could share their traditions.
People met along these trading routes and shared things from their cultures.
How did the Trans-Saharan caravan trade have an impact on the culture of Mali? (Choose 2)
It influenced language.
It introduced a new faith.
It brought a new king.
It helped to discover fresh water.
Why would traders introduce Islam to the people of Mali?
The people of Mali needed new religious traditions.
It helped them trade for goods.
Spreading the faith is a pillar of Islam.
It helped the traders to appear peaceful.
How did Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 help to spread Islam? (Choose 2)
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He paid for the construction of new mosques in cities along the way.
He conquered lands on his trip and forced them to convert to Islam.
Stories of his generosity on the trip made people interested in Islam.
Which choice best completes the graphic organizer.
Mansa Musa only cared about being a beloved leader.
Mansa Musa was the greatest ruler in the history of Mali
Mansa Musa was a powerful and generous leader
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia
"When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." - African Proverb
Why does this proverb compare an old man to a library?
because griots worship large fires
because libraries are common in Africa
because griots are sources of information
because all library and griots eventually die
In indigenous West African Spiritual traditions, who might be believed to be responsible for the illness of a family member?
their ancestors
the spirits
the shamans
another family member
What is animism?
a religion in which humans worship spirits
a religion in which humans worhip animals
a belief that gods - always nearby - influence the lives of people
a belief that spirits - present in animals, plants and trees - help the living
Which practice best completes the graphic organizer?
funeral ceremony
animism spirituality
ancestor worship
story telling
Which sentence correctly describe a shaman?
A shaman was the bishop of an ancient African church
A shaman did not believe in spirits
A shaman was a priest-like elder in an indigenous religion
Indigenous people believed a shaman could communicate with the spirit world
Which letter represents the Niger River on the map?
A
B
What is the physical environment of the Sahara?
A desert
a rainforest
a grassland
a zone between desert and grassland
Why is the Niger River important?
It feeds Lake Chad
It runs through the Sahara
It is the largest river in Africa
It provides water for five West African Nations
Which letter represents the Sahara?
A
B
C
D
Who brough up gravel from deep in the gold mines?
Small women and children
Kings
Shamans
Slaves
After Mansa Musa went to Mecca on his pilgrimage, this map was created by a county in Europe.
What significance did this have for the Kingdom of Mali in relation to the world?
It had little to no significance because of their distance to Europe.
It allowed for the world (Europe) to know about Mali's wealth and success - leading to more trade relations.
It allowed for the Europe to know about Mali and take over the country.
It held no significance as it nobody took the map seriously.
Who went on a pilgrimage to Mecca and gave away a lot of gold on the way?
Mansa Musa
Sunditata
Suleyman 1
Elmo
