Question

Task: Read the passage below and answer the question below by choosing the best answer.

"The history of West Africa is a story of shifting power centered on the gold-for-salt trade. The Kingdom of Ghana first dominated the region, growing wealthy by taxing traders until internal struggles and Almoravid invasions weakened its grip in the 11th century. From the remnants of Ghana’s influence, Sundiata Keita unified the Mandinka people to establish the Mali Empire in 1235 CE. Mali reached its zenith under Mansa Musa, whose famous pilgrimage to Mecca displayed the empire's vast wealth to the world. However, as Mali’s central power later faltered, the city of Gao—once a tributary to Mali—rebelled. Under the leadership of Sunni Ali, the Songhai Empire eventually eclipsed Mali, becoming the largest and most powerful of the three until its own fall to Moroccan invaders in 1591 CE."

Source: Adapted from "The Succession of Empires: West African Kingdoms," History and Geography Literacy Project, 2024.“Summarize the succession of West African empires from Ghana to Songhai” prompt. Gemini, 2.0 version, Google, 8 Jan. 2026,


Question 1: Which sentence from the passage best explains the chronological transition between the decline of Mali and the rise of Songhai?

(1 point)

"However, as Mali’s central power later faltered, the city of Gao—once a tributary to Mali—rebelled."

"Under the leadership of Sunni Ali, the Songhai Empire eventually eclipsed Mali, becoming the largest and most powerful of the three..."

"Mali reached its zenith under Mansa Musa, whose famous pilgrimage to Mecca displayed the empire's vast wealth to the world."

"...until its own fall to Moroccan invaders in 1591."
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Answer 1

"However, as Mali’s central power later faltered, the city of Gao—once a tributary to Mali—rebelled."