Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The similarities in Marco Polo's and Ibn Battuta's travel accounts can best be explained by the fact that both areas participated in significant long-distance trade. Both travelers journeyed through regions connected by complex trade networks that facilitated not only the movement of goods but also the exchange of ideas and cultural practices. Marco Polo's travels primarily took him along the Silk Road and into the courts of various Asian leaders, including Kublai Khan in China, where trade was central to the economy and culture. Similarly, Ibn Battuta traveled through the Islamic world, including parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where he encountered thriving trade cities that played vital roles in regional commerce.

These trade interactions influenced their experiences and observations, leading to shared themes in their accounts, such as descriptions of marketplaces, the importance of trade goods, and the customs and lifestyles that grew around these economic exchanges. The focus on trade in both accounts showcases the interconnectedness of the medieval world, highlighting how trade shaped societies across vast distances.