Each question is followed by four options lettered A to D. Find the correct option for each question and shade in pencil on your answer sheet, the answer space which bears the same letter as the option you have chosen. Give only one answer to each question. An example is given below.
Knowledge of the use of iron enabled the early man in West Africa to
A. learn the practice of agriculture. B. control his environment more effectively. C. acquire the knowledge of warfare. D. develop a religious culture.
The correct answer is control his environment more effectively, which is lettered B, and therefore answer space B would be shaded.
Think carefully before you shade the answer space; erase completely any answer(s) you wish to change.
Now answer the following questions:
1. The study of a country's history contributes to nation building because it makes its citizens
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Nation Building
⭐ The study of a nation's history fosters a sense of pride and identity, which encourages citizens to be patriotic, supporting national unity and progress.
2. Historical information obtained from artefacts is referred to as
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Sources of History
⭐ Archaeological evidence refers to information obtained from artefacts like tools, pottery, and ruins. These physical objects help to piece together historical events and cultural practices of past civilizations.
3. All the following are non-documentary sources of history except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Documentary Sources
⭐ Diaries are considered a documentary source of history, as they are written records from individuals that provide personal insights and accounts of historical events.
4. One of the major limitations of archaeology in historical studies is
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Limitations of Archaeology
⭐ Inaccurate dating is a major limitation in archaeology because establishing the correct time period of artefacts is crucial for understanding their historical context. Methods like carbon dating can sometimes provide uncertain results.
5. The trans-Saharan trade was also referred to as the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ The trans-Saharan trade was often referred to as the caravan trade because it involved long-distance travel across the Sahara Desert using caravans of camels to transport goods like gold, salt, and slaves.
6. Which of the following ethnic groups did not participate in the trans-Saharan trade?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ The Swahili people were primarily involved in trade across the Indian Ocean and not the trans-Saharan trade routes. They were based along the East African coast, whereas the other groups (Berbers, Tuareg, and Hausa) participated in or were closely connected to the trans-Saharan trade.
7. The two main places where salt was obtained in large quantities during the trans-Saharan trade were
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Taghaza and Bilma were major salt-producing regions in the Sahara. Salt was an essential commodity for trade, and these locations were key suppliers, crucial for sustaining long-distance trade across the desert.
8. The time spent by traders from North Africa across the Sahara Desert to the Western Sudan depended largely on the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ The time it took traders to cross the Sahara was influenced by several factors, including the size of their caravan and the weather conditions. Both of these factors impacted the speed of travel, as harsh weather and large caravans could slow down the journey significantly.
9. The cowrie shells used as currency in the trans-Saharan trade were obtained from the coast of the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Cowrie shells were an important form of currency used in the trans-Saharan trade. They were sourced primarily from the Indian Ocean, particularly along the East African coast, where they were abundant and highly valued in trade.
10. Islam came to West Africa through the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Spread of Islam in West Africa
⭐ Islam spread to West Africa primarily through the trans-Saharan trade. Muslim traders and merchants played a significant role in introducing Islam to the region, especially in cities like Timbuktu and Gao, long before large-scale invasions took place.
11. In their bid to spread Islam in West Africa, the Muslim scholars initially targeted the ruling class because the rulers
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Spread of Islam in West Africa
⭐ Muslim scholars focused on the ruling class because rulers held substantial power and could influence their subjects to adopt Islam. By converting the rulers, they hoped to reach a larger population and spread Islamic practices across the region.
12. The two renowned centres of Islamic education in West Africa between the 13th and 15th centuries were
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Islamic Education in West Africa
⭐ Jenne and Timbuktu were key centers of Islamic learning in West Africa, attracting scholars from across the Muslim world. These cities became hubs for the study of religion, science, law, and philosophy during the 13th to 15th centuries.
13. All the following factors put the Muslim scholars in position of trust and influence in the royal courts of West Africa except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Influence of Muslim Scholars in West Africa
⭐ Muslim scholars gained influence in royal courts due to their expertise in Arabic literacy, Islamic law, and their religious training. The number of wives and children they had was not a factor in their influence.
14. Which of the following was not an effect of the spread of Islam in West Africa?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Effects of Islam in West Africa
⭐ While Islam had a significant influence on the region, it did not completely abolish traditional religions. Instead, it often coexisted with and blended into existing cultural practices.
15. The first European explorers to come to West Africa were the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: European Exploration in West Africa
⭐ The Portuguese were the first European explorers to come to West Africa, beginning their exploration in the 15th century. They established trading posts along the coast and paved the way for further European exploration of the region.
16. The Europeans came to West Africa in the 15th century for all the following reasons except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: European Expansion in West Africa
⭐ The primary motivations for Europeans coming to West Africa in the 15th century were trade, exploration, and the establishment of factories, not the introduction of Christianity. While missionary work did become important later, it wasn't a key factor at the outset of European contact.
17. The West Africans were opposed to European penetration into the hinterland because they
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Resistance to European Penetration
⭐ West Africans resisted European penetration into the interior to protect their control over trade routes. They were intermediaries between the Europeans and the interior regions, and they feared losing this lucrative position if Europeans established direct access to the hinterland.
18. One social effect of the early European contact with West Africa was the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Social Impact of European Contact
⭐ Early European contact with West Africa led to the emergence of the Mulatto race due to intermarriage between Europeans and Africans. This created a mixed-race population, particularly in regions where trade and settlement occurred.
19. The goods sold to the West Africans by the early Europeans included all the following except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: European Trade with West Africa
⭐ Early Europeans traded goods like guns, copper, and mirrors with West Africans. However, grains were not typically part of the European trade in West Africa during this period. Europeans generally exchanged manufactured goods for gold, ivory, and slaves.
20. All the following factors contributed to the increase in the volume of the trans-Atlantic slave trade except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Factors Affecting the Slave Trade
⭐ The introduction of firearms in West Africa may have increased violence but was not a direct factor in the increase of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Key factors that fueled the slave trade were the Industrial Revolution, the invention of the steamship, and the demand for cheap labor in the New World.
21. The Europeans took slaves from West Africa to the Americas and the Caribbean because they wanted to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Reasons for the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
⭐ Europeans took slaves from West Africa to use them in plantations and mines in the Americas and the Caribbean, where labor was in high demand for agricultural production. This was a primary reason for the expansion of the slave trade.
22. Which of the following articles did not feature in the trans-Atlantic slave trade?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Commodities
⭐ Cotton was not a direct commodity involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The main items traded in this system were firearms, slaves, and goods such as salt, textiles, and other products that facilitated the trade.
23. The West African chiefs found it difficult to stop the trans-Atlantic slave trade because
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Challenges to Stopping the Slave Trade
⭐ The West African chiefs were economically dependent on the slave trade, as it had become a major source of revenue for their kingdoms. This made it difficult for them to oppose or stop the trade despite its negative consequences.
24. Britain adopted all the following measures to suppress the trans-Atlantic slave trade except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Britain's Measures to Suppress the Slave Trade
⭐ Britain did not station armed soldiers all over West Africa to suppress the slave trade. Instead, they focused on encouraging legitimate trade, supporting missionaries, and establishing a Naval Squadron to enforce anti-slavery laws along the West African coast.
25. Christianity was introduced to the West Africans by the Europeans from
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Introduction of Christianity to West Africa
⭐ Christianity was first introduced to West Africans by Portuguese missionaries. Portugal played a significant role in spreading Christianity during the early period of European contact with West Africa.
26. The Christian missionaries performed all the following in West Africa except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Christian Missionaries in West Africa
⭐ Christian missionaries focused on spreading the gospel, providing social services like education and healthcare, and supporting the suppression of the slave trade. However, they did not build markets for the poor people as part of their mission.
27. The first missionary organisation to be firmly established in Sierra Leone was the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Missionary Organizations in Sierra Leone
⭐ The Church Missionary Society (CMS) was the first missionary organization to establish a strong presence in Sierra Leone. It played a major role in the spread of Christianity and education in the region.
28. The work of Christian missionaries in West Africa was hampered by all the following factors except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Challenges Faced by Missionaries in West Africa
⭐ Missionaries faced many challenges, such as the spread of diseases like malaria and yellow fever, harsh climates, and a lack of volunteers. However, overcrowding in churches was not a significant problem that hampered their work in the region.
29. The "Bible and plough" policy by the Christian missionaries in West Africa meant
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: The "Bible and Plough" Policy
⭐ The "Bible and plough" policy promoted the idea of integrating Christianity with agriculture. Missionaries believed that teaching converts to farm alongside religious teachings would lead to both spiritual and economic growth.
30. One of the causes of the scramble for territories in West Africa was the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Causes of the Scramble for African Territories
⭐ The Industrial Revolution in Europe created a need for raw materials, new markets, and expanded economic power. This led European powers to compete fiercely for control of African territories during the scramble for Africa.
31. The Conference for the Scramble for and Partition of West Africa in 1884-85 was held in
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Berlin Conference, 1884-85
⭐ The Berlin Conference of 1884-85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, leading to the partitioning of West Africa among European powers. It was convened by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany in Berlin to avoid conflicts between European nations over colonial claims.
32. The European nation that acquired the lion's share of the West African territories during the scramble was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: European Colonial Acquisition in West Africa
⭐ France acquired a significant portion of West Africa, including large regions such as modern-day Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. The French Empire's aggressive expansion led to its dominance over many parts of the region during the Scramble for Africa.
33. The Scramble for and Partition of West Africa was said to have been in response to pressure from the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Pressures for the Scramble for Africa
⭐ European merchants were seeking new sources of raw materials, while missionaries were eager to spread Christianity across Africa. This created a strong push for colonization to secure trade routes and protect European interests, driving the scramble for Africa's territories.
34. A major effect of the Scramble for and Partition on West Africa was the introduction of
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Impact of the Scramble for Africa
⭐ The partition of West Africa led to the establishment of colonial rule, where European powers controlled African territories through direct governance or protectorates. This had lasting effects on the political, social, and economic structures of the region.
35. All the colonial powers in West Africa came from
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Colonial Powers in West Africa
⭐ All the colonial powers involved in the scramble for West Africa, including Britain, France, Portugal, and Germany, were from Western Europe. These nations competed for control over African territories during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
36. The form of colonial administration that allowed West Africans to maintain some aspects of their culture was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Colonial Administration in West Africa
⭐ Indirect Rule allowed local African leaders to maintain authority over their people while being controlled by colonial powers. This system was implemented by the British and permitted some cultural practices to continue under colonial supervision.
37. Which of the following pairs of European powers regarded its colonies in West Africa as overseas provinces?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: European Colonization in West Africa
⭐ France and Portugal regarded their colonies as overseas provinces, with the colonies being treated as integral parts of the mother countries. This contrasted with other powers like Britain, who considered their colonies more as separate entities under indirect control.
38. In West Africa, the system of administration practised in the British colonies was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: British Colonial Administration
⭐ The British used Indirect Rule in their West African colonies. This system involved governing through traditional African leaders, who were given limited powers while still under British oversight. It was intended to maintain stability and reduce the costs of direct administration.
39. One positive impact of World War II on West Africa was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Impact of World War II on West Africa
⭐ World War II helped increase political awareness in West Africa as people became more conscious of their rights and the potential for independence. The war exposed the contradictions of colonial rule and fostered movements for self-determination across the region.
40. All the following factors aroused the West African nationalists in their fight against colonial rule except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Factors Behind West African Nationalism
⭐ While respect for traditional institutions was present, it did not serve as a driving force for the nationalists. They were more focused on discrimination, exploitation, and unfair constitutional arrangements that were imposed by the colonial powers, fueling their desire for independence.
41. The following were major political problems encountered by the West African states except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Political Problems in West Africa
⭐ Lack of free and fair elections was indeed a problem, but the proliferation of political parties, external influence, and political instability were more prominent and frequent issues that impacted the political landscape in West Africa.
42. The first military take-over of government in independent West Africa was staged in
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Military Takeovers in West Africa
⭐ Nigeria experienced the first military coup in independent West Africa in January 1966. This was a turning point in West African politics, as military regimes became more common in the following decades.
43. A major reason for the success of military regimes in West African politics was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Military Regimes in West Africa
⭐ Military regimes often succeeded because they could make and implement decisions quickly, bypassing the bureaucracy and political gridlock that sometimes hindered democratic governments. This gave them an air of efficiency despite the negative consequences of their rule.
44. One negative effect of military rule in West Africa was that it
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Negative Effects of Military Rule
⭐ Military rule in West Africa often led to the mismanagement of national resources due to corruption and authoritarian governance, rather than efficient resource management. This contributed to economic stagnation and underdevelopment in many countries.
45. A major reason for the under development of West African states was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Underdevelopment in West Africa
⭐ Bad governance, including corruption, poor policy decisions, and lack of accountability, was a major factor behind the underdevelopment of West African states. It hindered economic growth and development despite the region's potential.
46. All the following were problems of independent West African states except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Problems in Post-Independence West Africa
⭐ After independence, West African states faced issues like military intervention, corruption, and bad leadership. However, promoting indigenous culture was generally a priority for the new governments as they sought to strengthen their cultural identities.
47. The Atlantic Charter emphasised the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Atlantic Charter
⭐ The Atlantic Charter, signed in 1941, focused on the equality of all people and the right of nations to self-determination. This was a foundational document in the movement towards decolonization and a more equal global order.
48. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was formed mainly to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: ECOWAS
⭐ ECOWAS was primarily created to promote economic integration, including the free movement of people, goods, and services among member states. This was aimed at fostering regional cooperation and boosting economic development in West Africa.
49. The United Nations Organization (UNO/UN) was formed to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: United Nations
⭐ The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to maintain global peace and security, prevent conflicts, and provide a forum for resolving international disputes. Its primary goal was to prevent the horrors of World War II from recurring.
50. The Organization of African Unity (OAU/AU) could not achieve some of its objectives in West Africa because
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Challenges of the OAU
⭐ The OAU faced challenges in achieving its goals due to the lack of a strong central authority or command structure to implement its policies effectively. This limited its ability to act decisively on issues such as conflict resolution and economic cooperation.
