Primary and Secondary Sources: Understanding Historical Evidence

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a source of historical information?

• A newspaper article from the time of the event

• A modern textbook about the event

• A personal diary written during the event

• A fictional story inspired by the event

Open Ended

Why is it important to understand the difference between primary and secondary sources when studying history?

Multiple Select

Which of the following are characteristics of secondary sources?

• Created after an event has occurred

• Written by people who experienced events firsthand

• Based on primary sources

• Usually combine multiple primary sources

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would most likely be considered a secondary source?

• A diary from a soldier in World War II

• A documentary about World War II

• A photograph taken during World War II

• A newspaper from 1945

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an example of a primary source?

• Personal journals

• Original photographs

• Birth certificates

• History textbooks

Open Ended

List two questions you can ask to determine if a source is primary or secondary.

Open Ended

Why is it important to use both primary and secondary sources in research?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best explains the difference between primary and secondary sources?

• Primary sources provide direct evidence, while secondary sources help understand the bigger picture.

• Primary sources are always more reliable than secondary sources.

• Secondary sources provide direct evidence, while primary sources summarize information.

• Both primary and secondary sources are not valuable for research.

Open Ended

How do sources help us understand history and the past?

Multiple Choice

What are the two main types of sources that provide information about the past?

• Primary and Secondary sources

• Books and Articles

• Artifacts and Paintings

• Letters and Diaries

Multiple Choice

A fossil is a...

• primary source

• secondary source

Multiple Choice

An autobiography (book written by the person about themselves) would be a...

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Multiple Choice

An original art piece is a...

• primary source

• secondary source

Multiple Choice

My cousins and I found an old wedding dress in our attic. My father said it belonged to our great-grandmother.

This is an example of a ___________________ source.

• primary

• secondary

Multiple Choice

An audio recording of an interview with the famous scientist Marie Curie would be a:

• Primary Source

• Secondary Source

Multiple Choice

A document or written work created after an event

• secondary source

• evidence

• point of view

• primary source