Exploring Primary Sources Quiz

What is a primary source?

• A textbook summarizing historical events

• An original document or object from the past

• A movie about a historical event

• A biography of a famous person

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

• A newspaper article written today about World War II

• A diary entry from a soldier in World War II

• A history book about World War II

• A documentary about World War II

Why are primary sources important for learning history?

• They provide a summary of events

• They offer firsthand accounts and evidence

• They are easier to read than secondary sources

• They are written by historians

Which of the following is NOT a primary source?

• A letter from a president

• A photograph from the 1800s

• A textbook about ancient Egypt

• A piece of pottery from ancient Greece

If you wanted to learn about the daily life of people in ancient Rome, which primary source would be most helpful?

• A modern novel set in ancient Rome

• A letter written by a Roman citizen

• A movie about ancient Rome

• A history website about ancient Rome

Which of the following could be considered a primary source for studying the American Civil War?

• A recent article analyzing the war

• A soldier's uniform from the Civil War

• A novel about the Civil War

• A history teacher's lecture on the Civil War

What type of primary source is a speech given by a historical figure?

• A secondary source

• A firsthand account

• A fictional story

• A modern interpretation

Which of the following is a benefit of using primary sources in research?

• They are always more accurate than secondary sources

• They provide direct evidence from the time period

• They are easier to find than secondary sources

• They are written in modern language

Click on all the Primary Sources

• Video of President Biden giving a speech

• Handwritten letters by Jackie Robinson

• A musket used by Davy Crocket

• A movie about the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock

• A biography of President Ronald Reagan