Types of Historical Sources

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your knowledge of various types of historical sources and their significance in historical research.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: history historiography historical sources
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Which of the following is an example of a primary historical source?

  1. A textbook written in the 21st century about the American Revolution

  2. A letter written by a soldier during the American Revolution

  3. A movie based on the events of the American Revolution

  4. A painting depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Primary historical sources are firsthand accounts or records created during the time period being studied. In this case, a letter written by a soldier during the American Revolution would be considered a primary source.

What type of historical source is a government document, such as a law or treaty?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Government documents, such as laws and treaties, are considered primary sources because they were created during the time period being studied and provide firsthand information about historical events.

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

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. A painting depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Secondary historical sources are works that interpret or analyze primary sources. In this case, a book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution would be considered a secondary source because it is based on primary sources and provides an interpretation of those sources.

What type of historical source is a personal account, such as a diary or memoir?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Personal accounts, such as diaries and memoirs, are considered primary sources because they provide firsthand information about the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of individuals who lived during the time period being studied.

Which of the following is an example of a tertiary historical source?

  1. A textbook written in the 21st century about the American Revolution

  2. A letter written by a soldier during the American Revolution

  3. A movie based on the events of the American Revolution

  4. A painting depicting the Battle of Bunker Hill


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Tertiary historical sources are works that summarize or synthesize information from primary and secondary sources. In this case, a textbook written in the 21st century about the American Revolution would be considered a tertiary source because it is based on both primary and secondary sources and provides a general overview of the topic.

What type of historical source is a physical object, such as a tool, weapon, or piece of clothing?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Physical objects, such as tools, weapons, and pieces of clothing, are considered artifacts. Artifacts can provide valuable information about the culture and technology of the time period being studied.

Which of the following is an example of an oral historical source?

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. An interview with a person who lived during the American Revolution


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Oral historical sources are recordings of interviews with people who have firsthand knowledge of historical events. In this case, an interview with a person who lived during the American Revolution would be considered an oral historical source.

What type of historical source is a visual representation, such as a painting, photograph, or map?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Visual representations, such as paintings, photographs, and maps, can be considered primary sources if they were created during the time period being studied and provide firsthand information about historical events.

Which of the following is an example of a statistical historical source?

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. A census record from the 18th century


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Statistical historical sources are records that contain numerical data. In this case, a census record from the 18th century would be considered a statistical historical source because it provides numerical information about the population of a particular area at a specific point in time.

What type of historical source is a written record, such as a letter, diary, or newspaper article?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Written records, such as letters, diaries, and newspaper articles, can be considered primary sources if they were created during the time period being studied and provide firsthand information about historical events.

Which of the following is an example of an archaeological historical source?

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. Remains of a building from the 18th century


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Archaeological historical sources are the physical remains of past human activity. In this case, remains of a building from the 18th century would be considered an archaeological historical source because they provide information about the culture and technology of the time period being studied.

What type of historical source is a recording of a speech or event?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Recordings of speeches or events can be considered primary sources if they were created during the time period being studied and provide firsthand information about historical events.

Which of the following is an example of a numismatic historical source?

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. A coin from the 18th century


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Numismatic historical sources are coins, tokens, and medals. In this case, a coin from the 18th century would be considered a numismatic historical source because it provides information about the economy and culture of the time period being studied.

What type of historical source is a collection of laws or regulations?

  1. Primary source

  2. Secondary source

  3. Tertiary source

  4. Artifact


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Collections of laws or regulations can be considered primary sources if they were created during the time period being studied and provide firsthand information about the legal system and governance of the time.

Which of the following is an example of an epigraphic historical source?

  1. A diary written by a person who lived during the American Revolution

  2. A book written in the 19th century about the American Revolution

  3. A newspaper article written in the 20th century about the American Revolution

  4. An inscription on a stone or metal object from the 18th century


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Epigraphic historical sources are inscriptions on stone or metal objects. In this case, an inscription on a stone or metal object from the 18th century would be considered an epigraphic historical source because it provides information about the culture and history of the time period being studied.

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