Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Which of the following is a primary source?

• A. A documentary about World War II

• B. A soldier’s diary from World War II

• A history textbook

• D. A biography of a war general

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

• A collection of primary documents

• A. A newspaper article about a recent event

• B. A personal letter from a historical figure

• D. An academic journal analyzing historical events

What is the main purpose of a primary source?

• A. To provide an interpretation of historical events

• D. To critique other sources

• B. To offer firsthand accounts or evidence

• To summarize existing research

Which of the following would NOT be considered a primary source?

• A. An original painting by an artist

• B. A transcript of a speech given by a politician

• A documentary film about a historical event

• D. A photograph taken during a significant moment

Which source is considered secondary?

• A. A newspaper article about the moon landing

• B. A video recording of the moon landing

• C. Neil Armstrong’s space log

• D. A rock sample from the moon

Which is a characteristic of a primary source?

• A. It is written years after an event

• B. It provides secondhand information

• C. It is a direct record from someone who experienced the event

• D. It is written by a historian

What type of source is an autobiography?

• A. Primary

• B. Secondary

• C. Both

• D. Neither

Which of these is a secondary source?

• A. A YouTube documentary explaining how the pyramids were built

• B. An ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription

• C. A mummy discovered in a tomb

• D. A diary from a pyramid builder

Which of the following is a primary source about World War II?

• A. A novel set during the war

• B. A professor’s lecture about the war

• C. A soldier’s letter from the battlefield

• D. A textbook chapter on World War II

Which of these is NOT a primary source?

• A. A live news report

• B. An ancient manuscript

• C. A magazine article analyzing a historical event

• D. A photograph from the event