Byzantine Empire
How did the Byzantine Empire preserve Roman political traditions while developing a distinct identity?
A. They abandoned all Roman customs
B. They adopted Islamic law and language
C. They kept Roman law but developed Eastern Orthodox Christianity
D. They isolated themselves from Roman influence
C. They kept Roman law but developed Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Which two rivers shaped the development of Southwest Asia?
A. Nile and Congo
B. Amazon and Euphrates
C. Tigris and Euphrates
D. Danube and Ganges
C. Tigris and Euphrates
Why was Islam able to spread so rapidly?
A. It was forced on all conquered people
B. It was spread only through scholars
C. Trade and military conquest helped spread it across diverse regions
D. It stayed confined to Mecca
C. Trade and military conquest helped spread it across diverse regions
In what subject did Islamic scholars make major advances?
A. Chemistry
B. Drama
C. Navigation
D. Mathematics
All of the Above
What three kingdoms were most influential in medieval West Africa?
A. Mali, Ghana, Songhai
B. Ghana, Mali, Songhai
C. Egypt, Mali, Persia
D. Ghana, Ethiopia, China
B. Ghana, Mali, Songhai
What was the Trans-Saharan trade network known for?
A. Shipping cotton
B. Trading gold, salt, and slaves across the desert
C. Spreading Buddhism
D. Connecting China and Europe
B. Trading gold, salt, and slaves across the desert
What lasting impact did Justinian’s Code have?
A. It ended all slavery in Europe
B. It was forgotten after his reign
C. It became the foundation of European legal systems
D. It outlawed Christianity
C. It became the foundation of European legal systems
Why was the Niger River important to West African civilizations?
A. It supported agriculture, trade, and transportation
B. It was a source of fish but not trade
C. It connected to China for trade.
D. It was sacred but never used
A. It supported agriculture, trade, and transportation
Which of the following is a central belief in the Five Pillars of Islam?
A. Worship of many gods
B. Monthly fasting
C. Giving to the poor (charity)
D. Pilgrimage to Rome
C. Giving to the poor (charity)
What role did griots play in West African culture?
A. They fought in wars
B. They were religious leaders
C. They preserved oral histories and traditions
D. They ruled empires
C. They preserved oral histories and traditions
Why is Mansa Musa famous in world history?
A. His pilgrimage displayed Mali’s immense wealth
B. He founded the city of Mecca
C. He was the first African Muslim
D. He destroyed Timbuktu
A. His pilgrimage displayed Mali’s immense wealth
Why was salt a valuable trade item?
A. It was used in currency
B. It was rare and essential for preserving food
C. It grew on trees
D. It was used in building materials
B. It was rare and essential for preserving food
How does the Hagia Sophia reflect Byzantine architecture?
A. It rejected Roman styles entirely
B. It combined Roman engineering with Christian design
C. It was a mosque from the beginning
D. It was built to honor Julius Caesar
B. It combined Roman engineering with Christian design
What made Constantinople so valuable geographically?
A. It controlled the Bosporus Strait, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, key trade routes
B. It was hidden in the mountains
C. It had rich farmland
D. It was a religious center but not a trade hub
A. It controlled the Bosporus Strait, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, key trade routes
Which text is one of Islam’s sacred writings?
A. The Torah
B. The Quran
C. The Bible
D. The Analects
B. The Quran
Why is Baghdad considered a key intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age due to its libraries and schools?
A. It was a military capital
B. It had the largest mosque
C. It was home to Mansa Musa
D. It hosted scholars from many cultures and preserved ancient texts
D. It hosted scholars from many cultures and preserved ancient texts
What was a major effect of Mansa Musa’s hajj?
A. It caused war with Europe
B. It brought international attention to Mali’s wealth and learning
C. It started the Crusades
D. It led to the collapse of Mali
B. It brought international attention to Mali’s wealth and learning
How did trade influence the spread of religion?
A. Traders only sold goods, not ideas
B. Religions were banned along trade routes
C. Merchants brought new beliefs to cities and kingdoms
D. Only rulers could practice religion
C. Merchants brought new beliefs to cities and kingdoms
What was one major geographic advantage of Constantinople?
A. It had easy access to Asia and Europe for trade and defense
B. It was a Christian empire
C. It was surrounded by desert
D. It was located on the Silk Road
A. It had easy access to Asia and Europe for trade and defense
How did the Sahara Desert influence West African trade?
A. It made trade impossible
B. It protected kingdoms from invaders
C. It forced the development of advanced trade networks like caravans
D. It was avoided entirely
C. It forced the development of advanced trade networks like caravans
How did Arabic language contribute to Islamic expansion?
A. It slowed communication
B. It unified diverse peoples under a shared religious and academic language
C. It replaced local languages entirely
D. It was used only in Africa
B. It unified diverse peoples under a shared religious and academic language
How did West African centers like Timbuktu promote learning?
A. They had state-run religious schools
B. They built universities and libraries attracting scholars from other regions
C. They copied Greek texts only
D. They limited education to royal families
B. They built universities and libraries attracting scholars from other regions
What made cities like Djenne and Timbuktu important?
A. They were major farming centers
B. They were mining colonies
C. They were trade and learning centers
D. They were battlefields
C. They were trade and learning centers
What was a key reason merchants became more powerful?
A. They owned armies
B. They controlled land
C. They connected cultures and supplied cities with goods
D. They led religious services
C. They connected cultures and supplied cities with goods
After Justinian died, the Byzantine Empire started a slow decline. What happened because of this?
A. It strengthened ties with Western Europe
B. It caused a division between Eastern and Western Christianity
C. It ended all religious conflict in Europe
D. It led to Islamic rule in the empire
D. It led to Islamic rule in the empire
If the Red Sea and Sahara had not existed, how might trade have changed?
A. Sea trade would have expanded
B. Overland routes would be shorter and easier, increasing contact
C. Trade would stop completely
D. The Byzantine Empire would control all of Africa
B. Overland routes would be shorter and easier, increasing contact
What was the global effect of the fall of Constantinople in 1453?
A. Europe gained more power
B. Christianity spread into Asia
C. The Ottomans controlled key trade routes between East and West
D. The Byzantine Empire conquered Arabia
C. The Ottomans controlled key trade routes between East and West
What was the lasting impact of Islamic scholars in Europe?
A. They introduced new crops
B. They translated works that fueled the Renaissance in Europe.
C. They built roads
D. They trained European rulers
B. They translated works that fueled the Renaissance
Which belief system included ancestor worship and animism?
A. Islam
B. Christianity
C. Indigenous African traditions
D. Hinduism
C. Indigenous African traditions
What happened to European trade after Constantinople fell?
A. It collapsed entirely
B. The Silk Road Reopened
C. Trade became easier
D. Europeans had to find new sea routes to Asia
D. Europeans had to find new sea routes to Asia