Primary Vs Secondary Sources 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. PrimaryExplanation
A diary is usually a primary source--the author was an eyewitness to the event.Rate this question:
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- 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. SecondaryExplanation
This is a secondary source. It is a secondhand source--the author is drawing on others for information rather than sharing their own experiences.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A newspaper article about Vietnam written in the 1960s.
- A.
Primary
- B.
Secondary
Correct Answer
A. PrimaryExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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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. PrimaryExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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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. SecondaryExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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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. PrimaryExplanation
This sounds primary because the author is recounting personal experience. They use a lot of "I"'s and "we"'s.Rate this question:
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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. PrimaryExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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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. PrimaryExplanation
These materials were created during the fighting, so they are primary.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Sep 12, 2015Quiz Created by
Sayan_mitra95