Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam

The choice stating that women generally followed long-held cultural norms in both China and West Africa accurately reflects the historical context surrounding gender roles in these regions. In both societies, women's status was deeply influenced by longstanding traditions and cultural expectations.

In China, the Confucian ideals that predominated emphasized a patriarchal structure, wherein women were expected to adhere to roles focused on family and domesticity. This included practices such as foot-binding among certain classes, which was a reflection of societal beauty norms and underscores how cultural expectations shaped women's lives.

In West Africa, while there was regional diversity, many cultures maintained gender roles that often placed women in subordinate positions, but women often held significant economic responsibilities, sometimes owning property and engaging in trade. Despite variations, the overarching cultural norms regarding women's roles tended to be conservative and reflective of historical practices.

Thus, the observation that women generally followed long-held cultural norms appropriately captures the essence of gender roles as documented by travelers like Ibn Battuta and those who visited China and West Africa, aligning their observations with historical realities rather than personal biases or inaccurate claims.