First Term Mid Term Test History JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 7

History JSS 3 First Term Mid-Term Assessment and Break – Week 7

Assessment Components Overview

The mid-term assessment covers key topics studied so far in the term. These topics include:

1. Trade Across the Sahara
2. The Spread of Islam Through Trade in West Africa
3. The Impact of the Trans-Saharan Trade on Nigeria and West Africa
4. Commodities and Routes in the Trans-Saharan Trade
5. Early European Contact with West Africa and Nigeria
6. Factors that Encouraged the Spread of Islam in West Africa

Part A: Objective Questions 

1. The Trans-Saharan trade linked __________ with North Africa.
   a) Asia
   b) West Africa
   c) Europe
   d) South Africa
2. One of the major commodities traded across the Sahara was __________.
   a) Cotton
   b) Gold
   c) Coffee
   d) Silver
3. Islam spread in West Africa through __________.
   a) Conquest
   b) Missionary activities
   c) Trade
   d) War
4. __________ was known as the “Salt City” because of its abundant salt mines.
   a) Kano
   b) Timbuktu
   c) Taghaza
   d) Benin
5. The spread of Islam in West Africa encouraged the development of __________.
   a) Schools
   b) Churches
   c) Military camps
   d) Trade unions
6. The Portuguese explorers first visited the Benin Empire in the year __________.
   a) 1230
   b) 1485
   c) 1600
   d) 1815
7. The trade route connecting Lagos to Calabar ran through the __________ Ocean.
   a) Pacific
   b) Indian
   c) Atlantic
   d) Arctic
8. __________ was the first European country to explore Nigeria.
   a) Portugal
   b) France
   c) Germany
   d) England
9. The Trans-Saharan trade lasted for several __________.
   a) Decades
   b) Centuries
   c) Years
   d) Months
10. The __________ helped the spread of Arabic literacy in West Africa.
    a) Missionaries
    b) Quran
    c) Bible
    d) Printing press
11. The Trans-Saharan trade led to the rise of cities like __________ in West Africa.
    a) Cairo
    b) Timbuktu
    c) Rome
    d) Tokyo
12. The Portuguese sought to establish trade relations with the Benin Empire to acquire __________.
    a) Iron
    b) Ivory
    c) Copper
    d) Fish
13. __________ was a key factor in the spread of Islam in West Africa.
    a) Agriculture
    b) Architecture
    c) Trade
    d) Slavery
14. The Atlantic Ocean trade route was primarily used for __________.
    a) The slave trade
    b) Missionary work
    c) Military purposes
    d) Farming
15. Early European contact with West Africa focused on __________.
    a) Gold and spices
    b) Cotton
    c) Technological exchange
    d) Oil
16. One important effect of the Trans-Saharan trade was the introduction of __________ in Nigeria.
    a) Christianity
    b) Arabic education
    c) Printing presses
    d) Political parties
17. The city of __________ became an important center of Islamic learning.
    a) Mecca
    b) Timbuktu
    c) Cairo
    d) Lagos
18. Portuguese explorers were motivated to explore Africa by their interest in __________.
    a) Science
    b) Religion
    c) Trade
    d) Sports
19. Early European missionaries in Nigeria were primarily focused on __________.
    a) Agriculture
    b) Spreading Christianity
    c) Military operations
    d) Mining
20. The main item exchanged for slaves during the trans-Atlantic trade was __________.
    a) Sugar
    b) Guns
    c) Textiles
    d) Cocoa

Part B: Theory Questions 

1. What was the primary motivation for the Trans-Saharan trade?
2. Explain the importance of salt in the Trans-Saharan trade.
3. Describe how Islam spread through trade in West Africa.
4. What impact did the arrival of Portuguese explorers have on the Benin Empire?
5. Name two key cities that grew due to the Trans-Saharan trade.
6. Mention one European country that explored Nigeria during the 15th century.
7. What role did the Atlantic Ocean play in early European trade with Nigeria?
8. How did the Trans-Saharan trade influence education in West Africa?
9. What was the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on Nigerian societies?
10. Identify two goods exchanged during the Trans-Saharan trade.
11. How did Islam influence the political systems of West African empires?
12. Explain the significance of the Quran in West African education.
13. What motivated early missionaries to come to Nigeria?
14. Name two missionaries who worked in Nigeria.
15. What role did Christianity play in early Nigerian societies?
16. Mention one impact of the Portuguese explorers on trade in Nigeria.
17. How did the Trans-Saharan trade affect relations between North and West Africa?
18. Explain the importance of gold in West African trade.
19. How did early European contact influence Nigeria’s political systems?
20. What was the significance of missionary schools in Nigeria?

Part C: True or False Questions

1. The trans-Atlantic slave trade was also called the “legitimate trade.” (False)
2. The Trans-Saharan trade primarily connected West Africa with Asia. (False)
3. Early European missionaries focused on spreading Christianity in Nigeria. (True)
4. Timbuktu was an important center of Islamic learning in West Africa. (True)
5. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore Nigeria. (True)
6. Slaves were exchanged for weapons and textiles in the trans-Atlantic trade. (True)
7. The spread of Islam through trade did not influence education in West Africa. (False)
8. The Benin Empire had no contact with European explorers. (False)
9. The Atlantic Ocean trade route linked Lagos to Europe. (True)
10. Gold and salt were key commodities in the Trans-Saharan trade. (True)
11. The missionaries introduced Arabic as Nigeria’s official language. (False)
12. Mary Slessor was a missionary who worked in Nigeria. (True)
13. The spread of Christianity was unrelated to European exploration. (False)
14. Early European contact in Nigeria focused solely on agricultural trade. (False)
15. Islam spread in West Africa through merchants and scholars. (True)
16. The Trans-Saharan trade lasted for only a few years. (False)
17. Kano and Timbuktu were major trade centers in West Africa. (True)
18. Portuguese explorers were mainly interested in West African spices. (False)
19. The first newspaper in Nigeria was introduced by missionaries. (True)
20. Arabic literacy spread in West Africa due to the Quran. (True)

Evaluation:

1. The __________ trade connected West Africa with North Africa.
2. Islam spread in West Africa through __________.
3. Portuguese explorers arrived in the Benin Empire in __________.
4. The __________ Ocean was used for the trans-Atlantic trade.
5. The city of __________ became an Islamic learning center in West Africa.
6. Missionary schools produced early Nigerian __________.
7. The __________ trade involved the exchange of gold and salt.
8. The __________ introduced the English language in Nigeria.
9. Early European missionaries in Nigeria focused on spreading __________.
10. The __________ were the first Europeans to explore Nigeria.
11. __________ was known as the “Salt City” for its salt mines.
12. The first Nigerian newspaper was called __________.
13. Missionaries established the first printing press in __________.
14. Mary Slessor worked to stop the killing of __________.
15. The spread of Islam in West Africa encouraged the use of __________.
16. CMS Grammar School was founded in the year __________.
17. Slaves were exchanged for __________ during the trans-Atlantic trade.
18. Missionaries promoted __________ as Nigeria’s official language.
19. The trade route connecting Lagos to Europe passed through the __________ Ocean.
20. The first mission of the Church of England arrived in Badagry in __________.

End of Assessment

This mid-term test provides a comprehensive evaluation of students’ understanding of the topics covered so far in the first term.