Unit 1 Exam Review

Front

Which of the following best explains the spread of Bantu languages across sub-Saharan Africa? Population growth and migration from West Africa, The expansion of camel caravans across the Sahara, Portuguese voyages along the Atlantic Coast, The adoption of Christianity in Ethiopia

Back

Population growth and migration from West Africa

Answer explanation

The Bantu migrations spread people, languages, ironworking, and farming practices across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Front

The blending of Islamic practices with African spiritual traditions is an example of:

Back

Syncretism

Answer explanation

Syncretism is the blending of cultural or religious traditions. Many African societies combined Islamic or Christian elements with local spiritual practices.

Front

The rise of Mali and Ghana was most closely connected to which resource?

Back

Gold

Answer explanation

Gold (along with salt) fueled the power of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai through trans-Saharan trade.

Front

Which of the following is the BEST example of women holding political influence in early modern Africa? An, iyoba, or a Queen Mother advising her son in Benin, Female warriors in the Zulu army, Women conducting salt trade across the Sahara, Enslaved women resisting in the Americas

Back

An, iyoba, or a Queen Mother advising her son in Benin

Answer explanation

Women like Queen Idia of Benin had significant influence and were respected as political and spiritual leaders.

Front

The Swahili city-states prospered because they:

Back

Traded ivory, gold, and enslaved people across the Indian Ocean

Answer explanation

The Swahili Coast was part of a thriving Indian Ocean network, connecting Africa to Arabia, India, and even China.

Front

A griot in West African society was most responsible for:

Back

Preserving history and culture through oral tradition

Answer explanation

Griots were oral historians, storytellers, and musicians who carried cultural memory across generations

Front

Which of the following best describes Queen Njinga’s resistance to Portuguese influence? Options: She converted to Islam to gain regional allies, She employed guerrilla warfare tactics to defend her people, She traveled to Mecca to strengthen trade ties, She supported the transatlantic slave trade to build wealth

Back

She employed guerrilla warfare tactics to defend her people

Answer explanation

Queen Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba resisted Portuguese colonization with military innovation and diplomacy.

Front

Which cultural impact of the transatlantic slave trade is still visible today in the Americas?

Back

African spiritual practices blended with Christianity

Answer explanation

like Ring Shout, Voodoo, hoodoo, Palo and Santería show African spiritual survivals mixing with Christianity in the Americas.