Understanding Primary and Secondary Sources

What is a primary source?

• A document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study.

• A document that interprets and analyzes primary sources.

• A textbook summarizing historical events.

• An encyclopedia entry.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

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

• A biography of Abraham Lincoln.

• A letter written by George Washington.

• A history textbook.

• A documentary about World War II.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

What is a secondary source?

• A firsthand account of an event.

• A document that interprets and analyzes primary sources.

• An artifact from an archaeological dig.

• A diary entry from a historical figure.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

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

• A newspaper article from the day of the event.

• A journal article analyzing the effects of World War I.

• A speech given by Martin Luther King Jr.

• A photograph from the 1960s.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

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

• Primary sources are always more accurate than secondary sources.

• Primary sources are original materials from the time period, while secondary sources analyze and interpret primary sources.

• Secondary sources are always more detailed than primary sources.

• Primary sources are written by experts, while secondary sources are written by non-experts.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following is NOT a primary source?

• A diary entry from a soldier in World War II.

• A textbook on ancient civilizations.

• A photograph from the 1920s.

• A speech given by a president.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following is NOT a secondary source?

• A biography of a famous scientist.

• A research article analyzing ancient artifacts.

• A letter written by a historical figure.

• A documentary about the Civil War.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Why are primary sources important for historical research?

• They provide firsthand evidence of historical events.

• They offer interpretations and analyses of historical events.

• They summarize information from various sources.

• They are easier to find than secondary sources.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following would be considered a primary source for studying ancient Egypt?

• A modern book about Egyptian mythology.

• An ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription.

• A documentary about the pyramids.

• A research paper on Egyptian art.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following would be considered a secondary source for studying the American Revolution?

• A letter written by George Washington during the war.

• A modern history book about the American Revolution.

• A musket used in a battle.

• A newspaper article from 1776.

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DOK Level 1: Recall