Primary and Secondary Sources

What is a primary source?

• A summary of a historical event
• A firsthand record of a historical event
• An interpretation of a historical event
• A document about a historical event

Which of the following is an example of a primary source?

• A documentary film about World War II
• A textbook about World War II
• A diary entry written by a soldier during World War II
• An article analyzing World War II

What are primary sources?

• Opinions of historians
• Records of historical periods
• Secondary accounts of events
• Interpretations of events

What is the main difference between primary and secondary sources?

• Primary sources summarize historical periods, while secondary sources offer a variety of perspectives
• Primary sources are created by firsthand witnesses, while secondary sources are created by someone who discusses what is learned from primary sources
• Primary sources are opinions of historians, while secondary sources are records of historical periods
• Primary sources are interpretations of events, while secondary sources are original records

Why are primary sources important in understanding historical periods? (choose the BEST answer)

• They are opinions of historians
• They summarize historical periods
• They show different perspectives from people who actually experienced historical events
• They provide interpretations of events

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

• A diary entry written by a witness of the historical event
• A textbook about the historical event
• A letter written by a historical figure
• A photograph taken during a historical event

Which gives you the BEST information when you are researching something from the past?

• Primary sources
• Secondary sources
• Watching Sponge Bob

What is the definition of "perspective?"

• A person's point of view
• A disagreement
• A source

Which is an example of a secondary source?

• A text book
• A diary
• A piece of jewelry from the 15th century
• A television interview of a tsunami survivor

Can you still get valuable information by using secondary sources to get information?

• Yes

• No