Primary Vs Secondary Sources Quiz

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| By Sayan_mitra95

Sayan_mitra95

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 15 | Total Attempts: 15,790

Questions: 8 | Attempts: 683 | Updated: Mar 21, 2023

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Primary Vs Secondary Sources Quiz - Quiz

Test yourself on primary and secondary sources by taking this quiz.

Questions and Answers

1.

A diary written by a soldier who fought in the war.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
A diary is usually a primary source--the author was an eyewitness to the event.

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2
0
2.

A book written by a historian who didn't fight in the war, but draws on other sources.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
B. Secondary

Explanation
This is a secondary source. It is a secondhand source--the author is drawing on others for information rather than sharing their own experiences.

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1
0
3.

A newspaper article about Vietnam written in the 1960s.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
Newspaper articles from the time period of an event are usually considered to be primary. They are original, raw materials created while the event was taking place.

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4.

A TV documentary filmed by a reporter who toured Vietnam during the war.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
TV, radio, and films can be primary if they portray the actual event--not a reenactment. Since this documentary recorded the actual war, it is a primary source.

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5.

A 2007 journal article about the Viet Cong with a formal writing style, bibliography at the end, and lots of analysis and interpretation.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
B. Secondary

Explanation
The article was written well after the war ended. It has a formal writing style so the author is probably not recounting their own experiences. It analyzes and interprets other sources (it has a bibliography) rather than shares the author's personal experiences. Sounds secondary.

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6.

A book about the war where the author says things like "I was drafted at age 18..."; "I flew to Vietnam a few months later..."; "We fought in five battles..."
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
This sounds primary because the author is recounting personal experience. They use a lot of "I"'s and "we"'s.

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7.

A book that compiles letters, poems, and memoirs written by people who experienced the war.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
The letters, poems, and memoirs were created by eyewitnesses so the book is probably primary. The editor gathered these primary sources into one book. As long as the editor did not alter the letters, poems, and diary excerpts, these materials are primary.

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8.

Military orders, battle plans, draft laws, and other government materials from the war.
- A.
  
  Primary
- B.
  
  Secondary
Correct Answer
A. Primary

Explanation
These materials were created during the fighting, so they are primary.

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Current Version
Mar 21, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Sep 12, 2015

Quiz Created by
Sayan_mitra95

Primary Vs Secondary Sources Quiz

A diary written by a soldier who fought in the war.

A book written by a historian who didn't fight in the war, but draws on other sources.

A newspaper article about Vietnam written in the 1960s.

A TV documentary filmed by a reporter who toured Vietnam during the war.

A 2007 journal article about the Viet Cong with a formal writing style, bibliography at the end, and lots of analysis and interpretation.

A book about the war where the author says things like "I was drafted at age 18..."; "I flew to Vietnam a few months later..."; "We fought in five battles..."

A book that compiles letters, poems, and memoirs written by people who experienced the war.

Military orders, battle plans, draft laws, and other government materials from the war.