Quiz on Camels and West African Empires

What physical characteristics of camels make them well suited for long trips across the hot desert?

• Sharp claws

• Splayed feet

• Thick fur

• Long tails

Why were traders willing to risk crossing the dangerous Sahara?

• To find new friends

• To become very wealthy

• To explore new lands

• To escape the heat

How did the West African empires build their wealth?

• By farming

• By controlling large gold mines

• By fishing

• By building castles

Where did the first humans live?

• Western and Northern Africa

• Eastern and Southern Africa

• Central and Northern Africa

• Eastern and Western Africa

Why did African civilizations become more prosperous as Europe’s power and trade shrank?

• Increased contact and trade

• Decreased population

• Isolation from other continents

• Agricultural advancements

Why was gold considered valuable?

• Rarity, beauty, and malleability

• Abundance, color, and weight

• Hardness, size, and shape

• Transparency, flexibility, and density

What other commodities, besides gold, were transported along African trade routes?

• Iron, ivory, spices, and textiles

• Silver, copper, grains, and fruits

• Coal, timber, salt, and wool

• Diamonds, oil, sugar, and tea

Why are the origins of Ghana unclear to historians today?

• Oral traditions and texts by Arab merchants

• Lack of written records

• Destruction of historical sites

• Conflicting archaeological evidence

How did the kings and kingdom of Ghana become wealthy?

• Collecting taxes from traders/merchants and gold

• Farming and fishing

• Manufacturing and exports

• Conquering neighboring lands

What role did the domesticated camel play in the growth of Ghana’s wealth?

• It helped build houses.

• It made it possible to travel and carry goods over long distances.

• It was used for entertainment.

• It was a source of food.