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. Which of the following sources of history helps to classify people into ethnic groups?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Sources of History
⭐ Linguistics is the study of languages, which is used to classify people into ethnic groups based on their language families and dialects.
2. The bias interpretation of historical facts by writers has often led to the element of
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Interpretation of History
⭐ Bias leads to subjectivity, where personal perspectives influence how historical facts are interpreted.
3. Court records are classified under
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Sources of History
⭐ Court records are considered written records, as they are documented legal proceedings.
4. One merit of oral tradition in the writing of West African history is that the researcher
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Oral Tradition
⭐ Oral tradition allows the researcher to engage directly with the narrator, gaining firsthand historical knowledge.
5. All the following factors contributed to the development of the trans-Saharan trade except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Europeans did not significantly contribute to the early development of the trans-Saharan trade. The trade grew primarily due to factors like camels, Berber financiers, and Islamic merchants.
6. Kolanuts and slaves sold during the trans-Saharan trade came mainly from the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Kolanuts and slaves were primarily sourced from the Forest Region in West Africa during the trans-Saharan trade. This region was rich in natural resources, which made it a key area for trade with North Africa.
7. During the trans-Saharan trade, salt was mainly obtained from
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Taghaza was known for its extensive salt mines, which were a vital source of salt traded across the Sahara. Salt was an essential commodity for preserving food and for trade, and it played a key role in the trans-Saharan economy.
8. Which of the following articles of the trans-Saharan trade was from West Africa?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Gold was one of the most important exports from West Africa during the trans-Saharan trade. It was highly sought after by traders and played a central role in the prosperity of West African kingdoms like Ghana and Mali.
9. The economic effects of the trans-Saharan trade included all the following except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ While the trans-Saharan trade led to economic growth, the development of commercial goods, and urbanization, it did not directly improve agricultural productivity. The focus of the trade was on goods like gold, salt, and slaves, not agricultural output.
10. One famous Islamic education centre in Western Sudan was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Trans-Saharan Trade
⭐ Timbuktu was not only a center for trade but also a major hub for Islamic education, attracting scholars from all over the Muslim world. The city housed some of the most famous universities and libraries of its time.
11. Which of the following statements was true about Islam in West Africa?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Islam and Education
⭐ Islam greatly promoted education in West Africa. Islamic scholars established schools, and literacy in Arabic became widespread among the elite. Islamic education included not only religious teachings but also science, law, and philosophy.
12. Which of the following was not a political effect of the spread of Islam in West Africa?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Political Effects of Islam
⭐ The creation of Islamic education centers was a cultural rather than a political effect. Islam did contribute to political changes such as establishing diplomatic relations, employing Muslim administrators, and unifying states.
13. The introduction of Islam did not only bring a new religion to West Africa but also a system of
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Islam and Governance
⭐ Islam brought a system of political administration based on Sharia law, which influenced the governance structures in many West African empires, including the employment of Muslim officials and judges.
14. The rulers of the empires of Western Sudan encouraged the spread of Islam in all the following ways except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Promotion of Islam
⭐ The rulers of Western Sudan generally supported the spread of Islam by appointing Muslim officials, encouraging conversions, and even making pilgrimages to Mecca. However, levying taxes on Islamic scholars would have been counterproductive to the promotion of Islam.
15. All the following were factors that enabled the Portuguese to take the lead in the exploration of West Africa in the 15th century except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Portuguese Exploration
⭐ The Portuguese were advanced in terms of technology, especially in shipbuilding, which allowed them to explore West Africa. The support of Prince Henry and the peace and stability in Portugal were also key factors in their success.
16. The main interest of the European traders in West Africa before 1600 was in
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: European Trade in West Africa
⭐ Before 1600, European traders were primarily interested in gold from West Africa, which was highly sought after in Europe.
17. The Europeans encouraged the cultivation of cash crops in West Africa to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: European Influence in West Africa
⭐ Europeans encouraged the cultivation of cash crops in West Africa mainly to supply food for the traders and sailors traveling to the region.
18. All the following were effects of the European contact with West Africa except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: European Impact on West Africa
⭐ The contact with Europeans negatively affected the expansion of indigenous industries. Instead, European trade practices such as the slave trade were introduced, along with European culture and Christianity.
19. The main reason for the establishment of trading forts in West Africa was for them to serve as
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: European Forts in West Africa
⭐ The trading forts were established to serve as warehouses to store goods and provide a base for trade activities between Europeans and Africans.
20. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was difficult to suppress because
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
⭐ The trans-Atlantic slave trade was economically profitable for European traders and was integral to their economic systems, making it difficult to suppress despite moral objections.
21. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was initiated by the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
⭐ The Portuguese were the first European nation to initiate the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the 15th century.
22. The European nation that enacted and enforced the Abolition Act of 1807 was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Abolition of the Slave Trade
⭐ The British Parliament passed the Abolition Act of 1807, which made it illegal to engage in the slave trade within the British Empire.
23. The two West African territories founded for the settlement of freed slaves were
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Colonization of Freed Slaves
⭐ Sierra Leone and Liberia were both established as colonies for the resettlement of freed slaves, with Sierra Leone being founded by the British and Liberia by the American Colonization Society.
24. The following factors helped in the continuation of the trans-Atlantic slave trade except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Factors Supporting the Slave Trade
⭐ The Equipment Treaty was not a factor in continuing the slave trade. Instead, the demand for slave labor, the economic benefits, and the practice of slavery as punishment contributed to its persistence.
25. The Christian missionaries played a political role in West Africa by
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Role of Missionaries in Colonialism
⭐ Christian missionaries played a significant role in supporting colonialism by helping to justify European imperialism and establishing institutions that served colonial interests in West Africa.
26. The following factors obstructed the activities of Christian missionaries in West Africa except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Missionary Activities in West Africa
⭐ Legitimate trade was not an obstruction for Christian missionaries in West Africa, unlike factors such as hostility from the people, the language barrier, and the prevalence of traditional religions.
27. Christian missionaries initially hoped that evangelization in West Africa would eradicate the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Missionaries and the Slave Trade
⭐ Missionaries in West Africa hoped to end the slave trade and slavery as part of their evangelical mission to spread Christianity and improve society.
28. The Christian missionaries found Western education useful because it
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Role of Education in Missionary Work
⭐ Christian missionaries used Western education as a tool to spread Christianity and as a means of educating converts to understand and embrace the religion more effectively.
29. One reason that made some West Africans develop hatred for Christianity was that the converts were made to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Resistance to Christianity
⭐ Many West Africans resented Christianity because converts were often forced to renounce their traditional religions, leading to tensions and hostility towards the new religion.
30. Which of the following factors did not contribute to the partition of West Africa? The
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Partition of West Africa
⭐ The emergence of strong traditional rulers did not contribute to the partition of West Africa, as the partition was driven by European economic interests such as markets, raw materials, and surplus capital.
31. Some African territories subdued to the European powers because of
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: European Colonization of Africa
⭐ European powers were able to subdue African territories primarily due to the superior weapons they had, such as firearms, which gave them a significant military advantage.
32. All the following factors influenced the choice of territories in West Africa by the European powers except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Factors Influencing European Colonization
⭐ European powers were more focused on factors such as instability, economic benefits, and diplomacy when choosing territories in West Africa, rather than simply the vastness of the land.
33. Which of the following was not a reason for the convening of the Berlin West Africa Conference of 1884-85?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Berlin Conference of 1884-85
⭐ The Berlin Conference was convened to resolve rivalries and avoid war among European nations over African territories, not for the establishment of industries in West Africa.
34. The European power that was not a major participant in the partition of West African territories was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Partition of West Africa
⭐ Spain was not a major participant in the partition of West African territories, unlike Britain, France, and Portugal, which were heavily involved in colonization.
35. One negative effect of the Scramble for and Partition of territories on the people of West Africa was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Negative Effects of the Partition of Africa
⭐ The division of territories during the Scramble for Africa often split ethnic groups across different colonial boundaries, disrupting their social and cultural cohesion.
36. The colonial policy that gave recognition to the traditional institutions in West Africa was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Colonial Policies in West Africa
⭐ The "Association" policy allowed the preservation and recognition of traditional African institutions, working alongside colonial governance rather than replacing them.
37. The main objective of the colonial economies in West Africa was to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Objectives of Colonial Economies
⭐ The primary goal of colonial economies was to extract resources from West Africa to support European industries, rather than to promote independence or economic self-sufficiency for West Africans.
38. Britain appointed Warrant chiefs in some parts of West Africa during the colonial period because
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Warrant Chiefs in West Africa
⭐ Warrant chiefs were appointed in areas where there were no effective traditional systems of governance, or where British officials believed the indigenous system lacked strong leadership.
39. Shortly after independence, some West African leaders suppressed democratic rule and introduced
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Post-Independence Political Systems in West Africa
⭐ After independence, many West African leaders, like Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana, established one-party systems as a way to maintain control and reduce political opposition.
40. Increase in export from West African states in the 19th century was due to the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Economic Changes in West Africa
⭐ The increase in exports was primarily driven by the demand for raw materials during the Industrial Revolution, which created a strong European market for goods such as palm oil, cocoa, and minerals from West Africa.
41. The main reason for boundary disputes among some West African states was their desire to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Boundary Disputes in West Africa
⭐ Boundary disputes in West Africa were often driven by competition for valuable natural resources such as oil, minerals, and arable land.
42. Which of the following was not a feature of military rule in West Africa?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
A
Topic: Military Rule in West Africa
⭐ Military regimes in West Africa were typically characterized by human rights abuses, suppression of the press, and the suspension of constitutions, rather than protection of human rights.
43. West African countries are not evenly developed because of the
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Development Challenges in West Africa
⭐ Conflicts, both internal and external, have hindered the development of West African countries, leading to uneven development across the region.
44. Which of the following was not a problem of independent West African states?
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Problems of Independent West African States
⭐ While energy supply was an issue in some countries, the primary problems faced by newly independent West African states were corruption, bad governance, and challenges in providing welfare services.
45. One primary reason responsible for the underdevelopment of West African states was
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Reasons for Underdevelopment in West Africa
⭐ Bad governance, including corruption and poor management of resources, was a primary factor contributing to the underdevelopment of many West African states.
46. West African leaders were mainly controlled by foreign governments through
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: Foreign Influence in West Africa
⭐ Many West African leaders were influenced by foreign governments, often through support for dictatorships that aligned with their interests during the Cold War and beyond.
47. The membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) included all the following countries except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
C
Topic: ECOWAS Membership
⭐ Gabon is not a member of ECOWAS, as it is located in Central Africa, while the other countries are part of the West African regional group.
48. The United Nations Organization (UNO/UN) was formed mainly to
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
D
Topic: Formation of the United Nations
⭐ The main goal of the UN, established after World War II, was to prevent the outbreak of future conflicts and promote peace and security across the world.
49. All the following were challenges encountered by the Organization of African Unity (OAU/AU) except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: Challenges of the OAU
⭐ The OAU successfully established a headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The other challenges, such as loyalty to colonial powers, lack of unity, and insufficient funds, were major obstacles for the organization.
50. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was able to restore political stability in some member countries through the use of all the following except
Explanation:
The correct answer is:
B
Topic: ECOWAS Interventions
⭐ ECOWAS has used military intervention, dialogue, and reconciliation efforts to restore stability, but employment was not a primary method used in these interventions.
