DTW GED PREP

Islam, founded in the early 7th century in Arabia, eventually became the unifying religion of the Near East. Its followers, Muslims, worship the same God as Jews and Christians, though they refer to Him as Allah, which is the Arabic name for God. Islam recognizes Jesus as an important prophet, though Muhammad, its founder, is considered the most significant prophet in the faith. The core of Islam is encapsulated in the Five Pillars, which are faith, prayer, alms (charitable giving), fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. By the end of the 10th century, Islam had spread widely and established a strong presence across the region.

Muhammad was not only a religious leader but also a political visionary. He unified the Arab tribes, creating a centralized government for the first time in their history. Under his leadership, Muslim armies expanded rapidly, conquering a vast and culturally diverse empire. This empire integrated a variety of cultures, including Turkish, Persian, and North African traditions. The Muslim influence even reached Europe, where they conquered parts of Spain, where they would remain for nearly 800 years.

From the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire, based in Constantinople, became the dominant power in the Middle East. Under Ottoman rule, the Islamic world reached a peak of cultural, literary, and artistic achievement. However, over time, the Islamic world began to fall behind the West, particularly in scientific advancements. For instance, while Europe invented the printing press in 1455, the Arab world did not adopt this technology until much later, in 1727. Similarly, while mechanical clocks were commonplace in Europe, they were rare luxuries in places like India. By the mid-1700s, the Ottoman Empire’s power waned, and by the 20th century, the Islamic world was no longer a major political force. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the region regained significant political influence.

In Africa, several great civilizations thrived during the first millennium. Nubia, located along the Nile River in modern-day Sudan and southern Egypt, and Axum, in present-day northern Ethiopia, were prominent kingdoms in the region. The kingdom of Ghana, which flourished between 830 and 1235 CE, was another major civilization. Ghana prospered through extensive trade with northern Africa, exchanging valuable commodities such as gold, ivory, and salt. These civilizations were shaped by foreign invasions, religious transformations, and their involvement in international trade networks.

THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Directions: Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.

1. Which of the following statements is supported by the information above?
   A. The Muslim empire forced its Persian, Turkish, and North African subjects to give up their native cultures.
   B. The African kingdom of Ghana had minimal interaction with other regions.
   C. The kingdom of Nubia was located in what is now northern Ethiopia.
   D. The Ottoman Empire lasted from the 15th century until the 20th century.

Based on the text, which of the following statements reflects an opinion rather than a fact?
A. Muslim rulers governed Spain for several centuries.
B. The Ottoman Empire began to decline after the mid-1700s.
C. The kingdom of Nubia was the most powerful of the ancient African civilizations.
D. Muslim armies conquered Persia, Turkey, and much of North Africa

1. Which of the following statements is supported by the information above?

✅ D. The Ottoman Empire lasted from the 15th century until the 20th century
🟩 Explanation: Historically accurate—the Ottoman Empire began in the late 13th century, rose to prominence in the 15th century, and lasted until its dissolution after World War I in the early 20th century.

2. Based on the text, which of the following statements reflects an opinion rather than a fact?

✅ C. The kingdom of Nubia was the most powerful of the ancient African civilizations
🟩 Explanation: This is a subjective judgment. While Nubia was influential, whether it was “the most powerful” is an opinion, not a verifiable fact.