Topic 14 Lesson 1: The Rise of Ghana in West Africa

Which trade item from outside the region did West Africans need most?

• gold

• camels

• salt

• iron

Where did the earliest civilizations in West Africa form?

• in the Sahara

• along the Niger and Senegal Rivers

• on the savanna

• on the Mediterranean coast

How does labor specialization benefit a society?

• It allows people to become expert at different jobs.

• It makes it possible for people to rise in social class.

• It ensures equal distribution of wealth.

• It leads to more efficient use of natural resources.

How did the rulers of Ghana become wealthy?

• by mining and selling salt

• by developing iron-working technology

• by controlling the gold supply

• by leading raids against nearby kingdoms

Which religion did North African traders bring to Ghana?

• Islam

• Christianity

• Judaism

• Buddhism

What is a plateau?

• large, mostly flat area that rises above the surrounding land

• parklike landscape of grasslands with scattered trees that can survive dry spells, found in tropical areas with dry seasons

• useful material found in the environment

• division of jobs and skills in a society

What is a savanna?

• parklike landscape of grasslands with scattered trees that can survive dry spells, found in tropical areas with dry seasons

• useful material found in the environment

• division of jobs and skills in a society

• group of people traveling together

What is a natural resource?

• useful material found in the environment

• division of jobs and skills in a society

• group of people traveling together

• across the Sahara

What is labor specialization?

• division of jobs and skills in a society

• group of people traveling together

• across the Sahara

• capturing something, especially in war

What is a caravan?

• group of people traveling together

• across the Sahara

• capturing something, especially in war

• the condition of being successful