History: Prosperous Civilizations 4

– The Kingdom of Mali –

“The Kingdom of Mali, established in the 13th century in West Africa, was an epitome of prosperity and intellectual prowess. This civilization was known for its wealth, primarily due to its control over significant gold and salt trades. Its affluence was legendary, best embodied by the grand pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by Mansa Musa, its most celebrated ruler. He dispersed gold so generously along his journey that he caused a noticeable drop in its value across the Middle East.

Mali was equally renowned for its cultural and intellectual pursuits. At its heart, the city of Timbuktu emerged as a global center of knowledge, hosting scholars from far and wide. Its libraries housed thousands of manuscripts, covering disciplines from astronomy to philosophy, testament to an advanced civilization that prioritized learning. The Kingdom’s influence on trade and culture permeated far beyond its borders, making it a major player in the global context, long before the advent of the modern world.”

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

The Kingdom of Mali was established in West Africa during the 13th ________.
Mali gained affluence mainly through its dominion over the ________ of gold and salt.
Mansa Musa made a notable religious journey to ________, distributing gold generously.
Timbuktu developed into an international hub for ________ and culture.
Libraries in Timbuktu possessed an immense collection of ________ on various subjects.
The Kingdom had a far-reaching impact on trade and ________ beyond its geographical limits.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

The Kingdom of Mali, which flourished in West Africa in the 13th era, was emblematic of opulence and scholarly _____(1). Known for its _____(2) derived from the control of vital gold and salt commerce, the civilization became legendary. Mansa Musa, a prominent sovereign, embarked on an illustrious Hajj to Mecca, lavishing gold so liberally that its _____(3) depreciated substantially in the Middle East. Moreover, Mali was distinguished for its intellectual achievements, with Timbuktu evolving into a worldwide _____(4) of erudition. The city’s repositories amassed a trove of thousands of _____(5), encompassing fields ranging from celestial studies to contemplative thought. This illustrious Kingdom’s impact on trade and refinement extended considerably beyond its frontiers, marking it as a significant _____(6) in the global arena.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original Word	Variants Used
established	_______________________
prosperity	_______________________ / ______________________
wealth	_______________________
control	_______________________
trade	_______________________
gold	–
cultural	_______________________ / ______________________
center	_______________________
knowledge	___________/ ____________ / ______________

Reveal answer (7 More Words)

Original Word	Variants Used
established	flourished
prosperity	opulence, affluence
wealth	affluence
control	dominion
trade	commerce
gold	–
cultural	intellectual, refinement
center	hub
knowledge	erudition, scholarly, learning