Question

Timbuktu

You may have heard of Timbuktu. It is one of the greatest cities in world history. Timbuktu still exists today, although it has lost its greatness. It was once one of the most remarkable places on Earth.

Timbuktu, which is now called Tombouctou, was founded around 1100. As a popular meeting place for traders, it rapidly grew in wealth and population. Mansa Musa made it the capital of the Mali Empire.

But Timbuktu was more than just a capital. And it was more than just a trade center. It was also a center of Muslim learning. During the Mali Empire, a great university at Timbuktu attracted scholars from throughout the Islamic world. More than 100 schools in Timbuktu taught Islam, geography, history, and other subjects. The university there educated 25,000 students at a time. Judges, doctors, and religious leaders also gathered in Timbuktu.

In Timbuktu, learning and education were just as highly respected as wealth. In fact, one scholar has said, “In Timbuktu, books were valued as much as salt, and salt as much as gold.” Another African scholar in Timbuktu owned 700 books, a vast number for those times.

When he returned from Mecca, Mansa Musa ordered the building of many new, beautiful mosques in Timbuktu. Mosques are Muslim houses of worship. Mansa Musa also ordered that new buildings be made of long-lasting brick instead of mud.

Timbuktu thrived from the 1200s to the 1500s. During this 300-year period, it was recognized as one of the great cities of the world. Today, Tombouctou is a sleepy little town. Much of it lies in ruins. But even now, 500 years after its decline from greatness, it remains one of the most famous and fabled cities in history.

Practice 5: Timbuktu

Decide if each statement below is true or false. Choose the correct answer for each statement.

Timbuktu grew rich because it was a center of learning.
True
False
Timbuktu was a great trading city.
True
False
Universities did not exist when Timbuktu was at its peak.
True
False
The people of Timbuktu were Muslims.
True
False

Answer 1

Timbuktu grew rich because it was a center of learning.
False — the passage says it grew wealthy as a popular meeting place for traders.

Timbuktu was a great trading city.
True — it was a popular meeting place for traders and grew rich from trade.

Universities did not exist when Timbuktu was at its peak.
False — the passage says a great university and more than 100 schools existed there.

The people of Timbuktu were Muslims.
True — it was a center of Muslim learning and had many mosques.