Question

To either side kneel two high-court functionaries, dressed very like the Oba, but with plainer headdresses and fewer neck-rings. They wear belts hung with small crocodile heads, the emblem of those authorized to conduct business with Europeans – and the heads and shoulders of two tiny Europeans can be seen floating in the background.

The Europeans are Portuguese, who from the 1470s were sailing down the west coast of Africa in their galleons on their way to the Indies, but who were also seriously interested in West African pepper, ivory and gold.

–A History of the World in 100 Objects,
Neil MacGregor

Which details from the passage help readers visualize the plaque? Check all that apply.

“plainer headdresses and fewer neck-rings”
“belts hung with small crocodile heads”
“the heads and shoulders of two tiny Europeans”
“sailing down the west coast of Africa”
“West African pepper, ivory and gold”

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- “plainer headdresses and fewer neck-rings”
- “belts hung with small crocodile heads”
- “the heads and shoulders of two tiny Europeans”

These phrases describe the appearance of figures on the plaque; the other two refer to historical activity or trade goods, not visual details of the plaque.