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WorksheetsWest Africa Unit Review
Total questions: 69
Worksheet time: 35mins
Which letter represents the Sahara on the map?
A
B
C
D
Which letter represents tropical rainforests on the map?
A
B
C
D
Which letter represents the savannas on the map?
A
B
C
D
Why is the Niger River important?
It provides water for five West African nations.
It is the largest river in Africa.
It feeds Lake Chad.
It runs through the Sahara.
What is the physical environment of the Sahara?
a rainforest
a grassland
a desert
a zone between desert and grassland
What city is located at "1" on the map?
Chad
Cairo
Timbuktu
Djenne
What city is located at "2" on the map?
Chad
Cairo
Timbuktu
Djenne
What river is indicated by the "A" on the map?
the Mississippi River
the Niger River
the Congo River
the Nile River
What river is indicated by the "B" on the map?
the Mississippi River
the Niger River
the Congo River
the Nile River
What body of water is indicated by the "1" on the map?
the Pacific Ocean
the Indian Ocean
the Gulf of Guinea
the Atlantic Ocean
What body of water is indicated by the "2" on the map?
the Pacific Ocean
the Indian Ocean
the Gulf of Guinea
the Atlantic Ocean
What is a transitional zone between the dry Sahara and the grasslands of the savanna?
the desert
the Sahel
the tropical rainforests
the ocean
How did trading routes between cities like Djenne 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.
People met along these trading routes and shared things from their cultures.
Trading routes were set up explicitly so that people could share their traditions.
Which kingdom was the largest of the three West African kingdoms?
Kingdom of Songhai
Kingdom of Ghana
Kingdom of Timbuktu
Kingdom of Mali
Which kingdom traded with Portugal for metals, cloth, and goods?
Kingdom of Songhai
Kingdom of Ghana
Kingdom of Timbuktu
Kingdom of Mali
Which kingdom ended its rule after an invasion by the Moroccan army?
Kingdom of Songhai
Kingdom of Ghana
Kingdom of Timbuktu
Kingdom of Mali
In the kingdom of Ghana, ______ and children crawled deep into the gold mines to bring up gravel.
enslaved people
young women
queens
kings
In Ghana, _____ taxed gold before it could be traded.
enslaved people
young women
queens
kings
In the kingdom of Ghana, ______ were forced to cut large blocks of salt before camels hauled them to the savanna.
enslaved people
young women
queens
kings
Which natural resources helped the Ghana kingdom become powerful? (Choose 2.)
copper
gold
grains
salt
Which kingdom had small farming villages?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom had a strong military?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom had gold mines?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom traded copper, spices, and slaves?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom had plentiful supplies of salt?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom had people who followed the religion of Islam? Their people were Muslim.
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom peaked in power from 800 CE to 1000 CE?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom peaked in power from 1240 CE to 1400 CE?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
Which kingdom peaked in power from 1400 CE to 1590 CE?
Mali
Songhai
Ghana
Timbuktu
How did the Trans-Saharan caravan trade have an impact on the culture of Mali? (Choose 2.)
It brought a new king.
It helped to discover fresh water.
It introduced a new faith.
It influenced language.
Why would traders introduce Islam to the people of Mali?
Spreading the faith is a pillar of Islam.
It helped them trade for goods.
It helped the traders to appear peaceful.
The people of Mali needed new religious traditions.
Which of these facts prove that Mansa Musa was a powerful and generous leader?
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He expanded the Mali kingdom to twice its size.
Mansa Musa only cared about being a beloved leader.
Mansa Musa was the greatest ruler in the history of Mali.
Which of these facts prove that Mansa Musa was a powerful and generous leader?
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He sent scholars to study in North Africa so they could return to teach in schools.
Mansa Musa only cared about being a beloved leader.
Mansa Musa was the greatest ruler in the history of Mali.
Which of these facts prove that Mansa Musa was a powerful and generous leader?
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He gave gold and gifts to people on his pilgrimage.
Mansa Musa only cared about being a beloved leader.
Mansa Musa was the greatest ruler in the history of Mali.
Which of these facts prove that Mansa Musa was a powerful and generous leader?
Mansa Musa had a great reputation throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia.
He paid for the construction of a mosque when his caravan rested.
Mansa Musa only cared about being a beloved leader.
Mansa Musa was the greatest ruler in the history of Mali.
How did Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 help to spread Islam? (Choose 2.)
Members of his caravan were left behind along the way to spread the faith.
He paid for the construction of new mosques in cities along the way.
Stories of his generosity on the trip made people interested in Islam.
He conquered lands on his trip and forced them to convert to Islam.
What is the name for a kinship system in which ancestors are traced through the mother's side of the family?
matrilineal
patrilineal
non-linear
neither matrilineal nor patrilineal
What is the name for a kinship system in which ancestors are traced through the father's side of the family?
matrilineal
patrilineal
non-linear
neither matrilineal nor patrilineal
West African village society had different elements. Which societal element includes parents and children? Choose the BEST answer.
Council of Elders
Village Chiefs
Extended Families
Families
West African village society had different elements. Which societal element includes grandparents, aunts, and uncles? Choose the BEST answer.
Council of Elders
Village Chiefs
Extended Families
Families
West African village society had different elements. Which societal element includes people who help settle disputes and provide solutions? Choose the BEST answer.
Council of Elders
Village Chiefs
Extended Families
Families
West African village society had different elements. Which societal element includes elected leaders who help oversee a village? Choose the BEST answer.
Council of Elders
Village Chiefs
Extended Families
Families
Indigenous beliefs in West Africa hold that there _______.
is one all-powerful creator god
are many creator gods
are no gods at all
is nothing to religion at all
In indigenous West African spiritual traditions, spirits of _____ influence people's lives.
the gods
ancestors
plants
animals
In indigenous West African spiritual traditions, lesser gods and divinities represent ______.
humans
Shiva, the Destroyer
forces of nature
the unseen world
A _____ was a priest-like elder in an indigenous religion.
shaman
pastor
priest
preacher
Indigenous people believed a _____ could communicate with the spirit world.
shaman
pastor
priest
preacher
Which "practice" goes best with the following characteristic? "Food offerings that the loved one enjoyed"
ancestor worship
animism spirituality
story telling
funeral ceremony
Which "practice" goes best with the following characteristic? "Belief that deceased loved ones were always nearby"
ancestor worship
animism spirituality
story telling
funeral ceremony
Which "practice" goes best with the following characteristic? "Carved statues placed in a special spot"
ancestor worship
animism spirituality
story telling
funeral ceremony
Which "practice" goes best with the following characteristic? "Animals sacrificed to honor deceased ancestors"
ancestor worship
animism spirituality
story telling
funeral ceremony
What is animism?
a belief that gods--always nearby--influence the lives of people
a belief that spirits--present in animals, plants, and trees--help the living
a religion in which humans worship animals
a religion in which humans worship spirits
In indigenous West African spiritual traditions, who might be believed to be responsible for the illness of a family member?
the spirits
another family member
the shamans
their ancestors
Who uses the oral word to convey history?
Griots
Shamans
Elders
Ancestors
Most griots are _____.
male
female
writers
athletes
A griot-in-training would also learn how _____.
to promote trade and commerce
to lead a village in prayer
to heal the sick
to play an instrument
What did griots do to contribute to strong relationships with other villages?
They helped griots in other villages learn their craft.
They helped villages share stories with one another.
They served as diplomats and ambassadors.
They helped promote trade and commerce.
"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 libraries are common in Africa
because griots are sources of information
because griots worship large fires
because all libraries and griots eventually die
What would happen if all griots died off?
Much of Africa's history would be lost.
West African people would have to rely on their written history to remember their past.
Griots from other parts of the world would have to travel there to retell their histories.
The West African chiefs would have to retell their histories.
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "uses bright colors"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "depicted ancestors"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "used on special occasions"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "recognizable around the world"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "beautiful and ornate"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Determine whether each word or phrase describes kente cloth, sculpture, or both. Word or phrase = "materials include wood, ivory, and stone"
kente cloth
sculpture
both kente cloth and sculpture
neither kente cloth nor sculpture
Indigenous West African people believed in a hierarchy in the relationships between deities and humans. Which of these is the LEAST important?
humans
spirits of ancestors
one all-powerful creator god
a host of lesser gods
Indigenous West African people believed in a hierarchy in the relationships between deities and humans. Which of these is the MOST important?
humans
spirits of ancestors
one all-powerful creator god
a host of lesser gods
Indigenous West African people believed in a hierarchy in the relationships between deities and humans. Which of these is the SECOND MOST important?
humans
spirits of ancestors
one all-powerful creator god
a host of lesser gods
Indigenous West African people believed in a hierarchy in the relationships between deities and humans. Which of these is the THIRD MOST important?
humans
spirits of ancestors
one all-powerful creator god
a host of lesser gods
