The Black Death

Which statement best answers the question below.

Despite the fact that the Black Death was widespread and deadly,

• it seemed that some Europeans were immune to it.

• it was not understood how it started or how it spread

• it did not affect most countries in western Europe.

• it seemed that many doctors did not attempt to treat it.

Historians are always looking for clues, which makes historians similar to

• geographers.

• attorneys

• investigators.

• scientists.

Historians make interpretations about events based on

• novels based on the past.

• the opinions of journalists.

• interviews with citizens.

• the evidence they collect.

What would be the most helpful question to ask to learn the cause of the Black Death?

• How did writers report on the plague during the Middle Ages?

• Which artists used the plague as the subject of their paintings?

• Why did many people die from the plague while others survived?

• Who was the most famous person who died from the plague?

Eyewitnesses often have different accounts of events, so historians must

• believe every account they see or hear.

• evaluate each account to discover the truth.

• consider no eyewitness accounts at all.

• determine only one account to be the truth.

What is an assumption historians make when they evaluate a source of information?

• They know an eyewitness report will be free of bias.

• They know an eyewitness report will always be accurate.

• They know an expert will provide the most accurate information.

• They know a student who did research will be the most accurate source.

he image below shows a page from a medical textbook published in 1555.

The text claims bloodletting is a good treatment for the plague and cured some cases. This an example of

• a surprising claim that was proven to be accurate.

• the need to check facts before publishing a book.

• an error that was corrected with new evidence.

• the changing standards in textbook publishing.

The photograph below shows skeletons in a mass grave in France.

What would be the most helpful question a historian could ask to learn more about the cause of the Black Death?

• Where are the skeletons kept today?

• How long ago were the skeletons found?

• Why were all the bodies buried together?

• Who first discovered and dug up the mass grave?

Which statement best defines a relevant question?

• A relevant question relates to the topic at hand.

• A relevant question can be studied and investigated.

• A relevant question is interesting, unusual, or unique.

• A relevant question is connected to a particular goal.

Darren is doing research on the Black Death for a paper. What would be the best choice as a source for information?

• a book of historical fiction about the Middle Ages

• a medical textbook with a section devoted to modern diseases

• a documentary filmed by an expert on the Black Death

• a history textbook with a chapter on life in the Middle Ages