Question

historians study african oral traditions mainly
a. to learn about events not preserved in
writing.

b. to learn to perform as griots.

c. to preserve traditional african cultures.

d. to trace family lineage lines.

Explanation:

Historians study African oral traditions. Oral traditions are a source of historical events that weren't written down. Option A says this is to learn about events not preserved in writing, which matches the purpose of using oral traditions for historical research. Option B is about performing as griots, not a historian's main goal. Option C is about preservation, but historians study them to learn history, not mainly preserve culture. Option D: tracing family lineages is a smaller part, not the main reason for studying oral traditions broadly.

Answer:

A. to learn about events not preserved in writing.