Question : Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Ghana was the first true African state. The reason why we are saying this is that most African states lived in tribal villages but Ghana was the centre of the gold trade. This gold trade opened new possibilities for the Ghanaians. The gold trade roots back to the 4th century, when African Soninke tribes were under the rule of the Maga, a Berber clan originating from Morocco. This clan has mastered trans-Saharan camel travel. They were known for trading salt for gold from the Soninke.

When the Arabs invaded North Africa, there was an upsurge in the trade in gold. Ghana became rich and soon after, the Soninke ousted the Maga and built their own nation under Kaya Magan Cisse, who became the Soninke king around 790.

Ghana’s ancient capital, Koumbi Salah, was the city where Africans and Berbers met and traded. Arab traders in the 9th century described Ghana as ‘the land of gold.’ The gold came from Asante and Senegal to the south and west. The trade routes led north and east to Morocco, Libya Aksum and so on to Europe and Asia.

Ghana had reached its peak in the 10th century. This was the country which controlled both the gold and salt trades. Other trading goods included woollen clothes, luxury items, leather goods and slaves. Traders transported goods hundreds of kilometres across the Sahara Desert with camel caravans.

Question:
Select the one-word substitute from the passage for the given group of words.
Rapid or sudden rise

Option 1: Caravans

Option 2: Ousted

Option 3: Upsurge

Option 4: Ancient


Team Careers360 2nd Jan, 2024
Answer (1)
Team Careers360 3rd Jan, 2024

Correct Answer: Upsurge


Solution : The correct choice is the third option.

In the context of the passage, the term upsurge is used to describe a sudden and significant increase in the trade in gold when the Arabs invaded North Africa. Specifically, the passage states: "When the Arabs invaded North Africa, there was an upsurge in the trade in gold". So, the word upsurge succinctly captures the idea of a rapid or sudden rise, particularly in the context of the increase in gold trade following the Arab invasion.

The meanings of the other options are as follows:

  • Caravans are mentioned as a means of transporting goods across the Sahara Desert.
  • Ousted means to forcefully remove or eject someone from a position or place.
  • Ancient refers to something very old or belonging to a distant past.

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