Understanding Primary Sources
A Grade 7 Social Studies worksheet on identifying and analyzing primary sources.
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Understanding Primary Sources
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Refer to your knowledge of primary sources.
1. Which of the following is the BEST definition of a primary source?
An article written by a historian about past events.
A textbook chapter summarizing historical facts.
A firsthand account or original material from the time period under study.
A documentary film created recently about ancient civilizations.
2. A biography written 50 years after a person's death is considered a primary source.
True
False
3. A diary entry written by a soldier during a war is an example of a source.
4. Historians use primary sources because they provide evidence about the past.
5. Explain why a photograph taken at a historical event is considered a primary source.
Match each item on the left with its description on the right.
6. "The Diary of Anne Frank"
a. Secondary Source
7. A documentary about Ancient Egypt
b. Primary Source
8. A history textbook
c. Secondary Source
9. Examine the image below. This is a primary source document.
What can you infer about the importance of this document based on its appearance and what you know about the time period?