In the fifteenth century European explorers made new voyages across the world's oceans. They were often assisted by maps drawn by Islamic mapmakers What conclusion can be drawn from this fact? A The Islamic world was once more advanced than Europe in their geographic knowledge. B Islamic explorers nearly sailed to the Americas before Columbus did. C Islamic mapmakers gained most of their information about the world from India and China. D Islamic mapmakers played and important role in the emergence of African slavery.

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a historical fact: European explorers in the fifteenth century were often assisted by maps drawn by Islamic mapmakers. The task is to draw a conclusion from this fact.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option A suggests that the Islamic world was more advanced than Europe in terms of geographic knowledge. This conclusion is plausible because if European explorers were using Islamic maps, it implies that the Islamic world had a higher level of geographic knowledge at that time.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option B suggests that Islamic explorers nearly sailed to the Americas before Columbus did. This conclusion is not supported by the fact that Islamic mapmakers assisted European explorers. The fact does not provide any information about the exploration activities of Islamic explorers.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option C suggests that Islamic mapmakers gained most of their information about the world from India and China. This conclusion is not supported by the fact that Islamic mapmakers assisted European explorers. The fact does not provide any information about the sources of information for Islamic mapmakers.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option D suggests that Islamic mapmakers played an important role in the emergence of African slavery. This conclusion is not supported by the fact that Islamic mapmakers assisted European explorers. The fact does not provide any information about the role of Islamic mapmakers in the emergence of African slavery.