BECE History and Geography of West Africa

Question 1

Which river is the longest in West Africa and flows through several countries including Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria?

Accepted Answer

Niger River

Answer

Volta River

Answer

Senegal River

Answer

Gambia River

Question 2

The trans-Saharan trade routes were historically important in West Africa primarily for trading which two commodities?

Accepted Answer

Gold and salt

Answer

Oil and cotton

Answer

Iron and copper

Answer

Ivory and rubber

Question 3

Which West African empire, known for its wealth and the pilgrimage of Mansa Musa, was at its peak in the 14th century?

Accepted Answer

Mali Empire

Answer

Songhai Empire

Answer

Ghana Empire

Answer

Kanem-Bornu Empire

Question 4

What is the name of the large semi-arid belt that stretches across Africa south of the Sahara Desert?

Accepted Answer

The Sahel

Answer

The Savanna

Answer

The Savannah Belt

Answer

The Sudan Zone

Question 5

Which colonial power controlled the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) before it gained independence in 1957?

Accepted Answer

Britain

Answer

France

Answer

Portugal

Answer

Germany

Question 6

The harmattan is a dry, dusty wind in West Africa that blows from which direction?

Accepted Answer

From the northeast, off the Sahara Desert

Answer

From the southwest, off the Atlantic Ocean

Answer

From the east, off the Indian Ocean

Answer

From the north, off the Mediterranean Sea