Chapter Chronology

Quiz for Listening to the Past: A Tenth-Century Muslim Traveler Describes Parts of the East African Coast

Select the best answer. Click Submit for each question to turn in your work.

Question

1. Which of these best explains why Al Mas’udi chose to describe the whales found in the sea of Zanj in some detail?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is d. The whales were a source of ambergris, a material that had great value as an ingredient in perfumes.
Incorrect: The answer is d. The whales were a source of ambergris, a material that had great value as an ingredient in perfumes.
1. Which of these best explains why Al Mas’udi chose to describe the whales found in the sea of Zanj in some detail?

Question

2. According to Al Mas’udi, most of the important exports of the Zanj fit into which of the following categories?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. Al Mas’udi’s account emphasized animal products such as hides, ivory, and ambergris.
Incorrect: The answer is a. Al Mas’udi’s account emphasized animal products such as hides, ivory, and ambergris.
2. According to Al Mas’udi, most of the important exports of the Zanj fit into which of the following categories?

Question

3. According to Al Mas’udi, where did the bulk of Zanj ivory exports end up?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is a. According to Al Mas’udi, Zanj ivory was generally sent first to Oman, and then on to China and India.
Incorrect: The answer is a. According to Al Mas’udi, Zanj ivory was generally sent first to Oman, and then on to China and India.
3. According to Al Mas’udi, where did the bulk of Zanj ivory exports end up?

Question

4. According to Al Mas’udi, which of these groups burnt ivory as a religious offering?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is c. Al Mas’udi described the uses ivory was put to in various parts of the world in some detail, noting the use of ivory as a kind of incense in China.
Incorrect: The answer is c. Al Mas’udi described the uses ivory was put to in various parts of the world in some detail, noting the use of ivory as a kind of incense in China.
4. According to Al Mas’udi, which of these groups burnt ivory as a religious offering?

Question

5. According to Al Mas’udi, what happened to a Zanj king who failed to respect the rule of law?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct: The answer is b. According to Al Mas’udi, Zanj kings were “selected to govern . . . fairly,” and, if they failed to do so, they were put to death and their descendants were excluded from accession to the throne.
Incorrect: The answer is b. According to Al Mas’udi, Zanj kings were “selected to govern . . . fairly,” and, if they failed to do so, they were put to death and their descendants were excluded from accession to the throne.
5. According to Al Mas’udi, what happened to a Zanj king who failed to respect the rule of law?