Reading History Quiz

What is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source in history?

• C. A primary source is always a physical artifact, while a secondary source is always a written document.

• B. A primary source is created at the time of the event, while a secondary source is created after the event.

• D. A primary source is always biased, while a secondary source is always objective.

• A. A primary source is based on interpretation, while a secondary source is based on direct evidence.

Where are the main theses of a work of history usually to be found?

• A. In the middle of the book or article.

• C. In the introductory and final chapters.

• D. In the preface and acknowledgments.

• B. In the footnotes and bibliography.

What is the distinction between fact and interpretation in historical writing?

• D. Facts are selected by historians, while interpretations are the conclusions drawn from those facts.

• C. Facts are universally accepted, while interpretations are open to debate.

• B. Facts are based on primary sources, while interpretations are based on secondary sources.

• A. Facts are always objective, while interpretations are always subjective.

What does critical reading in history involve?

• A. Disagreeing with the author's thesis and evidence.

• D. Ignoring the author's assumptions and values.

• B. Agreeing with the author without questioning the evidence.

• C. Evaluating the evidence and conclusions of the author.

What is the main focus of historical writing?

• D. Agreeing with the author's thesis without question.

• C. Summing up everything historians say about a subject.

• B. Debating issues of interpretation and consequence.

• A. Presenting new evidence and facts.

What is the purpose of evaluating a work of history critically?

• C. To exercise critical faculties on the interpretations advanced by the author.

• B. To demonstrate authority in the field the book deals with.

• D. To add up everything the author says about a subject and assume it equals 'the truth'.

• A. To dispute the evidence presented by the author.

What is the distinction between theme and thesis in a history book?

• D. Theme is the author's assumptions, while thesis is the author's values.

• C. Theme is the conclusion of the book, while thesis is the introduction.

• B. Theme is what the book is about, while thesis is what it attempts to prove.

• A. Theme is the main point of the book, while thesis is the topic.

What is the role of historians in selecting facts for their writing?

• A. They select facts based on their personal experiences.

• B. They select facts based on the questions they ask and their methodological approach.

• D. They select facts based on their ideological system.

• C. They select facts based on the evidence presented by the author.

What is the purpose of recognizing areas of disagreement in historical writing?

• A. To assume that the sum of everything historians say about a subject equals 'the truth'.

• B. To look for issues that people seem to be discussing and debating.

• C. To expect that historians will always agree on a subject.

• D. To write a paper by adding up everything historians say about a subject.