Trans-continental highways link up

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what trans-continental highways connect. The key word is "trans-continental".

Step 2: Explain the concept "Trans" means across, so a trans-continental highway is a major road that stretches across a continent, crossing many national borders. Examples include the Trans-African Highways, such as the Lagos-Mombasa Highway and the Trans-West African Coastal Highway (Lagos-Dakar). They are built to promote regional trade, movement of people, and economic integration.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Mining cities: Wrong. Roads linking mining cities are specialised or regional routes, not defined as trans-continental.
• B. Countries in a continent: Correct. These highways cross international borders and connect different countries within a continent.
• C. State headquarters: Wrong. Roads linking state capitals are state or federal highways within one country.
• D. Local settlements: Wrong. Villages and towns are linked by local or feeder roads.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. countries in a continent.

Tip: Match the road type to its scale:

• Local roads → villages and settlements
• State or federal roads → towns and state capitals within a country
• Trans-continental highways → countries across a continent

Whenever you see "trans", think "across borders".