Why did the economy of African pastoralists depend on rainfall?

Correct answer: Rainfall affected grass and water sources

Direct answer: Option A is correct. African pastoralists depended on animals such as cattle, goats and sheep. These animals needed grass for food and water for drinking. Rainfall decided where grass would grow, how green the pasture would be, and whether ponds, streams and wells would contain water. Therefore, when rain was good, animals could find food and water; when rain failed, pasture became dry and animals could become weak or die. Pastoralists moved to follow these changing resources. Option A correctly connects rainfall with grass and water sources. Option B is wrong because rainfall does not produce coal; coal forms over a very long time from buried plant matter under heat and pressure. Option C is wrong because rainfall does not make sea ships. Option D is wrong because rain does not remove animals’ needs; animals still need food and water. The key chain is: rainfall affects grass and water, grass and water support livestock, and livestock support the pastoral economy. Memory cue: for pastoralists, think “rain, grass, water, animals, livelihood.”