Ancient Africa Graded Practice Quiz
In ancient Africa most of the people lived in kingdoms within the communities and most people were farmers and not industrialists. During our studies we covered Africa’s history and geography. Take the quiz below and see what you can remember from the lessons and African terrain. All the best and have fun!
- 1.Kingdoms in West Africa relied on both local trade and
- A.
Exporting to Europe
- B.
Traveling flea markets
- C.
Trans-Saharan trade
- D.
Traveling farmers
- 2.Why did people in West Africa trade with people from other regions?
- A.
It symbolized trust towards their neighbors
- B.
Each region had different resources and vegetation
- C.
It helped to create markets in different areas
- D.
The reason is unknown
- 3.The Sahara is not a good place for large settlements because
- A.
It is extremely dry
- B.
It rains to much
- C.
It has no mountains
- D.
It is covered in forest
- 4.
- A.
Men were required to serve in the King's army.
- B.
Conquered people were required to give tribute
- C.
Kings provided protection for conquered land
- D.
Kings sometimes sent governors to rule land
- 5.How did villages form in West Africa?
- A.
A controlling leader took over forcefully.
- B.
Family-based communities joined together for help.
- C.
Communities often went to war to settle disputes.
- D.
Groups developed closely together due to gold.
- 6.West Africa's geography influenced the _________________ that developed there.
- A.
Forms of authority
- B.
Extended families
- C.
Religious beliefs
- D.
Patterns of trade
- 7.The area of semi-desert that is south of the Sahara and has mild vegetation is called the ___________.
- A.
Jenne
- B.
Sahel
- C.
Savanna
- D.
Niger
- 8.Which of the following is a way rulers of West African kingdoms became wealthy
- A.
They collected taxes from goods bought and sold.
- B.
They raised armies and conquered other territories.
- C.
They collected tributes from other conquered countries.
- D.
All of the above
- 9.Around 4000 B.C.E., some people in West Africa formed farming communities made up of
- A.
Village neighbors
- B.
Religious officials
- C.
Different tribes
- D.
Extended families
- 10.West African societies who controlled early trade routes became wealthy by
- A.
Robbing traders passing by
- B.
Raising prices of goods frequently
- C.
Charging fees and taxes for trading activity
- D.
Making farmers pay high taxes
- 11.What changes did the development of iron tools bring?
- A.
Farmers could clear land and grow crops more efficiently
- B.
Villagers could produce surpluses to trade for other goods
- C.
People could freely engage in weaving and metalworking
- D.
All of the above
- 12.The _____________ is a vegetation zone of tall grasses and scattered trees.
- A.
Savanna
- B.
Sahel
- C.
Sahara
- D.
Congo
- 13.Ghana, Mali, and Songhai were three _______________ that arose.
- A.
Religions
- B.
Kingdoms
- C.
Countries
- D.
States
- 14.The majority of Africa falls within the
- A.
Size of the United States.
- B.
Tropics region.
- C.
Rainforest region.
- D.
Continent of Asia.
- 15.What power did the king of Ghana have?
- A.
Head of the army
- B.
Led people in religious worship
- C.
Final say in matters of justice
- D.
All of the above
- 16.Which of the following is true about Ghana's military?
- A.
Soldiers were not respected or well paid.
- B.
The king had a regular army as well as reserved forces.
- C.
Soldiers were the only people who had to complete military training.
- D.
Army uniforms were plain and without decoration
- 17.Why was Ghana wealthy?
- A.
The government did not allow foreigners to travel there.
- B.
The government distributed chunks of gold to its citizens.
- C.
The government collected taxes on goods passing through Ghana.
- D.
The government placed heavy taxes on its people.
- 18.Ghana was located between two areas that wanted to trade. These areas were
- A.
North Africa and East Africa
- B.
North Africa and West Africa
- C.
West Africa and East Africa
- D.
South Africa and East Africa
- 19.What product did people in North Africa want most?
- A.
Salt
- B.
Silk
- C.
Gold
- D.
Copper
- 20.West Africans needed salt to
- A.
Improve their diet
- B.
Add taste to their food
- C.
Keep food from spoiling
- D.
All of the above
- 21.What made Taghaza an important location?
- A.
Salt was mined and cut into large blocks
- B.
Gold was mined in a secret location
- C.
Gold was collected by foreigners
- D.
All of the above
- 22.How did the Wangarans know that caravans wanted to make an offer for trade
- A.
Messengers
- B.
Bird calls
- C.
Smoke signals
- D.
Beating drums
- 23.How was the system of silent barter a major advantage for Wangarans?
- A.
It helped to guard the secret location of their gold.
- B.
It prevented the Wangarans from having to negotiate.
- C.
It saved the Wangarans time.
- D.
It made trade more difficult.
- 24.Which of the following contributed to Ghana's downfall?
- A.
Floods
- B.
War
- C.
Disease
- D.
Population decline
- 25.People were forced to leave Ghana because
- A.
Farmers couldn't grow as many crops
- B.
Water was scarce
- C.
Few trees remained
- D.
All of the above
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