Learning Path
Question & Answer1
Understand Question2
Review Options3
Learn Explanation4
Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
Spices from the Spice Islands
B
Silk from China
C
Gold from West Africa
D
Pottery from ancient Greece
Understanding the Answer
Let's break down why this is correct
Answer
Spices, especially pepper, best illustrate the Indian Ocean trade network’s complexity because they were produced in limited, high‑value areas and demanded a vast, multi‑step shipping chain. Pepper had to travel from the Malabar coast of India, through Arabian ports, across the Red Sea, and finally to Europe, involving dozens of traders, middlemen, and port cities. Each leg of the journey required different currencies, legal agreements, and cultural adaptations, creating a web of economic and cultural exchange. For example, a single peppercorn from Kerala could be sold to a merchant in Oman, who would then trade it for textiles in Cairo, before it reached a London spice merchant, showing how one commodity linked distant societies. This single good, therefore, encapsulates the diverse economies and cultures woven together by Indian Ocean trade.
Detailed Explanation
Spices from the Spice Islands were traded across the Indian Ocean, linking islands, mainland coasts, and distant markets. Other options are incorrect because Many think silk from China traveled across the Indian Ocean, but it mainly followed land routes; Gold from West Africa was valuable, yet it was traded mainly through Atlantic routes, not Indian Ocean lanes.
Key Concepts
Indian Ocean Trade
Cultural Exchange
Economic Diversity
Topic
Indian Ocean Trade
Difficulty
medium level question
Cognitive Level
understand
Practice Similar Questions
Test your understanding with related questions
1
Question 1The Indian Ocean trade network was crucial for the exchange of not only goods but also __________ between different civilizations, showcasing the interconnectedness of cultures.
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Practice
2
Question 2How did the Indian Ocean trade network influence the cultures of the regions it connected?
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Practice
3
Question 3How did the Indian Ocean Trade Networks contribute to cultural exchanges between diverse regions?
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Practice
4
Question 4How did the Indian Ocean Trade Networks influence cultural exchange in the regions involved?
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Practice
5
Question 5The Indian Ocean Trade Networks primarily facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between regions such as China, India, and the Islamic world, contributing to the spread of _______ to places like Indonesia.
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Practice
6
Question 6Which of the following were significant outcomes of the Indian Ocean Trade Networks? Select all that apply.
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Practice
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