West African Kingdoms Test

1. How did the kings of Ghana grow their kingdom’s economy?

• A) They produced illuminated manuscripts.
• B) They collected taxes from traders.
• C) They maintained a strong military.
• D)They explored new territories.

2. Which detail from the map supports the conclusion that Kumbi Saleh was the most important city in Ghana?

• A) It was close to an ocean.
• B) It was near the Volta River.
• C) It was at the edge of the Sahara.
• D) It was at the center of several trade routes.

3. Why were the animals in the image ideal for the trans-Saharan trade? Select the two correct answers.

• A) They were easy to ride.
• B) They were friendly and calm.
• C) They could remember the location of oases.
• D)They could travel several days without water.
• E) They had broad feet for walking on hot sand.

Use the passage from Ibn Battuta’s Travels in Asia and Africa to answer question 4. "After a journey of five and twenty days, [we] arrived at Teghaza, a village in which there is nothing good, for its houses and mosque are built with stones of salt, and covered with the hides of camels. For this, they dig in the earth, and find thick tables of it, so laid together as if they had been cut and placed under ground. No one, however, resides in these [houses] except the servants of the merchants, who dig for the salt. . . . To them come the people of Sudan from their different districts, and load themselves with the salt, which among them passes for money, just as gold and silver does among other nations; and for this purpose, they cut it into pieces of a certain weight, and then make their purchases with it. 4.Why were the economic activities described in the passage important to Ghana?

• A) Salt was a key source of wealth.
• B) Salt was used in gold mining.
• C) Salt was an important part of their diet.
• D) Salt helped homes stay cool in the summer.

5. How were the Ghana Empire and the Mali Empire similar? Select the two correct answers.

• A) They were centers of traditional religious beliefs and culture.
• B) They were influenced by Muslim merchants and scholars.
• C) They were wealthy because of the gold-salt trade.
• D) They were destinations for Christian scholars.

6. What conclusion about Mansa Musa is supported by the image?

• A) He was famous around the world for his religious devotion.
• B) He was famous around the world for his wealth.
• C) He was admired for his strong leadership.
• D) He was admired for his love of education.

7. Which detail from the image supports your answer in question 6?

• A) Mansa Musa is holding a gold nugget.
• B) Mansa Musa is shown wearing a robe.
• C) Arabic script appears above the throne.
• D) West African buildings appear in the background.

8. How did Sundiata Keita bring peace and order to Mali?

• A) He formed a strong central government.
• B) He ended the trans-Saharan trade.
• C) He defended the empire from lions.
• D) He captured gold and salt mines.

9. Why did the arrival of Portuguese ships weaken Mali?

• A) They caused power struggles in West Africa.
• B) They introduced the slave trade to West Africa.
• C) They posed stiff competition to trading caravans.
• D) They threatened to capture important gold mines.

10. Which physical feature was north of the Songhai Empire?

• A) Niger River
• B) Atlantic Ocean
• C) Gulf of Guinea
• D) Sahara