1. Which of the following best explains the relative significance of the Tran saharan and Indian Ocean trade routes

Question

A. Trans-Saharan trade was more significant because it had more valuable resources such as salt, gold, and ivory.
B. The Indian Ocean basin was more significant because it connected the Middle East and parts of Africa with Asia, specifically China, and it had important goods such as silk and porcelain.
C. Neither of them was significant because both were limited in whom they could reach.
D. The routes were equally significant—each in its own way—as they both contributed to significant cultural developments along the routes, and worth cannot be measured simply by the goods that were traded.
2. Describe why religions expanded on the trade routes.
A. Merchants and traders exchanged ideas as well as products.
B. Merchants were forced to convert in order to trade.
C. It was cheaper to trade as a Muslim or Christian.
D. War encouraged people to convert.
3. Which of these continents would be difficult to connect to via the trade routes?
A. North America
B. Europe
C. Asia
D. Africa
4. Which of the following best describes why Mehmed II continued to trade with the Genoese despite their alliance with the Byzantines?
A. The Genoese betrayed the Byzantines, so the Ottomans trusted them.
B. Genoa was also a Muslim kingdom and its similar faith made it a natural ally.
C. They were already trading partners.
D. Mehmed II understood the importance and benefits of maintaining trade with the Genoese, just as the Byzantines understood.
5. Which of the following best explains how physical geography impacted trade along the Silk Road?
A. Deserts were flat and easy to travel across, so traders often went across them.
B. Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them.
C. Maritime trade routes were developed throughout the Silk Road to avoid the mountains.
D. Lack of water along the Silk Road caused traders to flock to oases to survive.

Answer 1

1. B. The Indian Ocean basin was more significant because it connected the Middle East and parts of Africa with Asia, specifically China, and it had important goods such as silk and porcelain.
2. A. Merchants and traders exchanged ideas as well as products.
3. A. North America
4. D. Mehmed II understood the importance and benefits of maintaining trade with the Genoese, just as the Byzantines understood.
5. B. Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them.