Understanding Historical Sources and Types

What is the main purpose of a historical source?

• To predict future events.

• To provide information about a specific time in history.

• To entertain people with historical stories.

• To create new historical events.

Historical sources are typically divided into which two categories?

• Ancient and Modern sources.

• Written and Oral sources.

• Primary and Secondary sources.

• Reliable and Unreliable sources.

What are the two key characteristics of a primary source?

• It gives information about history and is created by an expert.

• It gives information about history and is created after the time it describes.

• It gives information about history and is created during the time it describes.

• It gives second-hand information and is created by someone who wasn't there.

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

• A textbook about Ancient Egypt.

• A documentary about the pyramids.

• A photograph taken during a historical event.

• A website detailing historical facts.

What is the defining characteristic of a secondary source?

• It provides information about a historical event from someone who was present.

• It is always created by an archaeologist or historian.

• It is second-hand information created after the time it describes by someone who wasn't there.

• It is a physical artifact from the past.