Learning from the Past Quiz

1. The diary of Anne Frank - a young girl who lived in hiding during the Holocaust.

Primary

Secondary

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

Explanation

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

2. A chapter in your world history textbook about the Ancient Greeks.

Primary

Secondary

A textbook provides information that was gathered after the time of an event.

Explanation

A textbook provides information that was gathered after the time of an event.

3. B.C.E. stands for before Christ emerged.

True

False

The statement is incorrect. B.C.E. stands for "Before Common Era" and is used as a secular alternative to the traditional dating system of "Before Christ" (B.C.). This change was made to be more inclusive and respectful of different religious and cultural beliefs.

Explanation

The statement is incorrect. B.C.E. stands for "Before Common Era" and is used as a secular alternative to the traditional dating system of "Before Christ" (B.C.). This change was made to be more inclusive and respectful of different religious and cultural beliefs.

4. A web site that summarizes Ancient Roman mythology.

Primary

Secondary

Because the site did not exist during Ancient Roman times it is a secondary source of information.

Explanation

Because the site did not exist during Ancient Roman times it is a secondary source of information.

5. An original World War I uniform worn by your great grandfather.

Primary

Secondary

This is an example of an artifact from the time period being studied. It would be a primary source of information.

Explanation

This is an example of an artifact from the time period being studied. It would be a primary source of information.

6. Which answer correctly places the following dates in chronological order?202 A.D., 776 B.C.E., 2011 C.E., 323 B.C., 1492 B.C.E., 1901 A.D.

202 A.D., 776 B.C.E, 2011 C.E., 323 B.C., 1492 B.C.E., 1901 A.D.

776 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 1492 B.C.E, 202A.D., 2011 C.E., 1901 A.D.

1492 B.C.E., 776 B.C.E., 323 B.C., 202 A.D., 1901 A.D., 2011 C.E.

1492 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 776 B.C.E., 12 A.D., 2011 C.E., 1901 A.D.

The correct answer places the dates in chronological order, starting with the earliest date and ending with the latest date. The correct order is 1492 B.C.E., 776 B.C.E., 323 B.C., 202 A.D., 1901 A.D., 2011 C.E.

Explanation

The correct answer places the dates in chronological order, starting with the earliest date and ending with the latest date. The correct order is 1492 B.C.E., 776 B.C.E., 323 B.C., 202 A.D., 1901 A.D., 2011 C.E.

7. Which of the following would not be considered an artifact?

Otzi' skull

The arrowhead found in Otzi's shoulder

Otzi's shoes

The grass cape found with Otzi

Artifacts are objects created by human beings. Otzi's skull would not be considered an artifact.

Explanation

Artifacts are objects created by human beings. Otzi's skull would not be considered an artifact.

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

Primary

Secondary

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

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.

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

Primary

Secondary

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.

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.

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

Primary

Secondary

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.

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.

11. A magazine article from 2011 titled "Mining in the Old West from 1860 to 1890."

Primary

Secondary

This informational text was written after the event it describes.

Explanation

This informational text was written after the event it describes.

12. A book about a 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..."

Primary

Secondary

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

Explanation

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

13. Which answer correctly places the following dates in chronological order? 12 A.D., 14 B.C.E., 1066 C.E., 323 B.C., 1776 B.C.E., 2012 A.D.

12 A.D., 14 B.C.E, 1066 C.E., 323 B.C., 1776 B.C.E., 2012 A.D.

14 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 1776 B.C.E, 12 A.D., 1066 C.E., 2012 A.D.

1776 B.C.E., 14 B.C.E., 323 B.C., 12 A.D., 2012 A.D., 1066 C.E.

1776 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 14 B.C.E., 12 A.D., 1066 C.E., 2012 A.D.

The correct answer is 1776 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 14 B.C.E., 12 A.D., 1066 C.E., 2012 A.D. This answer correctly arranges the dates in chronological order, starting from the oldest date (1776 B.C.E) to the most recent date (2012 A.D).

Explanation

The correct answer is 1776 B.C.E, 323 B.C., 14 B.C.E., 12 A.D., 1066 C.E., 2012 A.D. This answer correctly arranges the dates in chronological order, starting from the oldest date (1776 B.C.E) to the most recent date (2012 A.D).

14. Which of the following would not be considered an artifact?

A message in a bottle found in the sand

Wreckage from a ship washed ashore

A shell necklace

A shark tooth found on the beach

An artifact is made by human beings. A shark's tooth was note made by human beings.

Explanation

An artifact is made by human beings. A shark's tooth was note made by human beings.

15. A newspaper article about Vietnam written in the 1960s.

Primary

Secondary

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.

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.

Learning From The Past Quiz