Question

1. the inter - regional connections of states such as those on the east african coast can best be used as an illustration of the continued importance of which of the following? (a) international diplomacy (b) polytheistic religions (c) long - distance trade (d) patriarchal gender norms

Explanation:

The text discusses the emergence of important commercial city - states along the East African coast and their connections with distant lands through foreign merchants and rulers. Long - distance trade is what these interregional connections best represent as it involves the exchange of goods and interactions over large distances. International diplomacy is not the main focus here, polytheistic religions are not the key aspect illustrated, and patriarchal gender norms are not related to the described interregional connections.

Answer:

C. Long - distance trade