Examination on History
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all questions.

1. ________ is often referred to as the Land of Gold. (a) Mali (b) Ghana (c) Songhai (d) Kanem-Bornu
2. The Ghana Empire was located in the ________ part of West Africa. (a) Eastern (b) Western (c) Northern (d) Southern
3. The capital city of the Ghana Empire was ________. (a) Timbuktu (b) Gao (c) Koumbi Saleh (d) Djenné
4. The supreme ruler of the Ghana Empire was known as the ________. (a) Emir (b) Sultan (c) Emperor (d) Vizier
5. The Ghana Empire’s economy was primarily based on ________. (a) fishing (b) trade (c) hunting (d) pottery
6. The main source of revenue for the Ghana Empire was ________. (a) farming (b) taxes on trade (c) animal husbandry (d) slave raiding
7. One geographical advantage for the rise of Ghana was its location near the headwaters of the River ________. (a) Volta (b) Senegal (c) Kaduna (d) Cross
8. The gold region of Wangara was crucial for the rise of the Ghana Empire due to its rich ________ deposits. (a) silver (b) iron (c) gold (d) diamond
9. The trans-Saharan trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods between North Africa and ________ Africa. (a) East (b) Central (c) West (d) South
10. Which of the following was a major export of the Ghana Empire? (a) Salt (b) Horses (c) Gold (d) Copper
11. Salt was a crucial ________ for the Ghana Empire. (a) export (b) import (c) local product (d) weapon
12. The Ghana Empire ensured its stability through self-sufficiency in ________ production. (a) salt (b) textile (c) food (d) metal
13. A strong ________ was vital for the imperial expansion of Ghana. (a) navy (b) cavalry (c) merchant fleet (d) diplomatic corps
14. The use of ________ weapons gave the Ghana army an advantage. (a) stone (b) bronze (c) iron (d) wooden
15. Capable ________ contributed significantly to the political stability of the Ghana Empire. (a) farmers (b) traders (c) rulers (d) artisans
16. The Almoravids attacked Audoghast in the year ________. (a) 1054 (b) 1076 (c) 1203 (d) 900
17. One internal weakness that contributed to Ghana’s fall was ________ succession. (a) patrilineal (b) matrilineal (c) elective (d) hereditary
18. The final destruction of Koumbi Saleh occurred in ________. (a) 1054 (b) 1076 (c) 1203 (d) 1100
19. All of these contributed to the fall of the Ghana Empire except ________. (a) Almoravid attacks (b) strong economy (c) civil wars (d) Tuareg attacks
20. Which of these was NOT a factor in the decline of the Ghana Empire? (a) Large empire size (b) Social homogeneity (c) Political instability (d) Decline in trade
21. The Tuareg attacks on the Ghana Empire were a result of ________. (a) internal weaknesses (b) external pressures (c) strong leadership (d) economic prosperity
22. After its fall, the Ghana Empire disintegrated into ________. (a) one large kingdom (b) several petty states (c) a new empire (d) a confederation
23. The fall of Ghana led to the disruption of the ________ trade. (a) Atlantic (b) Indian Ocean (c) Trans-Saharan (d) Mediterranean
24. The Mali Empire inherited many ________ from the Ghana Empire. (a) weaknesses (b) legacies (c) enemies (d) diseases
25. The fall of Ghana contributed to the spread of ________ in West Africa. (a) Christianity (b) Buddhism (c) Islam (d) traditional religion
26. The main religious reason for the Almoravid invasion was to spread ________. (a) Christianity (b) Islam (c) Judaism (d) Animism
27. Commercially, the Almoravids aimed to control the ________ Saharan trade route. (a) northern (b) southern (c) eastern (d) western
28. The Almoravids were also motivated by jealousy of Ghana’s ________. (a) military strength (b) religious piety (c) economic prosperity (d) cultural achievements
29. Which of these was a political reason for the Almoravid invasion? (a) To stop Ghana’s southern expansion (b) To protect Berber independence (c) To form an alliance with Ghana (d) To introduce new laws
30. The description of Koumbi Saleh highlights its elaborate ________. (a) farming methods (b) court system (c) fishing techniques (d) hunting tools
31. Ghana’s control over the trans-Saharan trade routes was a key ________ factor in its rise. (a) social (b) economic (c) religious (d) cultural
32. The Ghana Empire maintained a strong ________ for defense. (a) navy (b) air force (c) army (d) militia
33. The division of the Ghana Empire into ________ helped in its administration. (a) districts (b) provinces (c) states (d) villages
34. The spread of Islam in West Africa was partly a consequence of the dispersal of Muslim merchants and ________ after Ghana’s fall. (a) warriors (b) scholars (c) farmers (d) artisans
35. The Almoravid attacks on Koumbi Saleh occurred in ________. (a) 1054 (b) 1076 (c) 1203 (d) 900
36. One aspect of Ghana’s administrative system was the maintenance of law, order, and ________. (a) wealth (b) justice (c) military (d) trade
37. The use of ________ by the Ghana army provided a significant military advantage. (a) camels (b) horses (c) elephants (d) donkeys
38. Which of these was NOT an import for the Ghana Empire? (a) Salt (b) Horses (c) Gold (d) Copper
39. The political instability in Ghana was exacerbated by ________. (a) strong central government (b) capable rulers (c) civil wars (d) unified provinces
40. The correct step in maintaining law and order in the Ghana Empire was through its efficient ________ system. (a) taxation (b) court (c) farming (d) trading

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer any THREE questions.

1. (a) Where was the Ghana Empire geographically located in West Africa? (2 marks)
(b) Identify two important geographical factors that contributed to the rise of the Ghana Empire. (3 marks)
(c) Explain how the control of trans-Saharan trade routes contributed to Ghana’s economic prosperity. (3 marks)
(d) Name two commodities that were exported by the Ghana Empire. (2 marks)

2. (a) Describe the administrative structure of the Ghana Empire in terms of its provinces. (2 marks)
(b) How did the Emperor of Ghana maintain his authority and control over the empire? (3 marks)
(c) Discuss two political factors that led to the rise and stability of the Ghana Empire. (3 marks)
(d) What was the significance of Koumbi Saleh to the Ghana Empire? (2 marks)

3. (a) Briefly explain the primary basis of the Ghana Empire’s economy. (2 marks)
(b) How did the Ghana Empire defend itself against external threats? (3 marks)
(c) Identify and explain two internal weaknesses that contributed to the fall of the Ghana Empire. (3 marks)
(d) What role did food production play in the stability of the Ghana Empire? (2 marks)

4. (a) In what year did the Almoravids first attack Audoghast? (2 marks)
(b) Explain two reasons why the Almoravids invaded the Ghana Empire. (3 marks)
(c) Discuss two significant consequences of the fall of the Ghana Empire on West Africa. (3 marks)
(d) When did Koumbi Saleh finally collapse and what group was responsible? (2 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme

Question 1 – ✅ (b) Ghana
Question 2 – ✅ (b) Western
Question 3 – ✅ (c) Koumbi Saleh
Question 4 – ✅ (c) Emperor
Question 5 – ✅ (b) trade
Question 6 – ✅ (b) taxes on trade
Question 7 – ✅ (b) Senegal
Question 8 – ✅ (c) gold
Question 9 – ✅ (c) West
Question 10 – ✅ (c) Gold
Question 11 – ✅ (b) import
Question 12 – ✅ (c) food
Question 13 – ✅ (b) cavalry
Question 14 – ✅ (c) iron
Question 15 – ✅ (c) rulers
Question 16 – ✅ (a) 1054
Question 17 – ✅ (b) matrilineal
Question 18 – ✅ (c) 12