Counting the Past · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Counting what clerks wrote down

History · Historical Thinking · ages 16-18
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. How do you set an old wage beside a new one?

    • Double it always
    • Split by the price mark of each year
    • Ask the clerk's ghost

  2. What can a long run of one form show?

    • Sums and drifts across years
    • One man's lunch
    • The ink brand

  3. A parish book of christenings counts all births.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A noon mart poll claims full town views. What is the slant?

    • Night hands missed the poll
    • Noon is too hot
    • Marts lack charm

  5. A price mark trebled since 1850. A wage of 6 coins then buys what in now coins?

    Answer: ______________

  6. Bread cost and thefts climb as one, so cost drives theft.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. A count of taxed goods is quoted as full trade. What is wrong?

    • Smuggled goods fled the log
    • Ships float
    • Tax is fair

  8. Which set proves a long run beats a lone note?

    • One love note
    • A shopping list
    • Ten year logs of ships in port
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Counting what clerks wrote down W1-mt_U3Fc_UVWJ5-s1

  1. Split by the price mark of each year · Pick a wage, split by both marks, and own the rough fit.
  2. Sums and drifts across years · Same forms year on year bare trends no letter proves.
  3. False · Unchristened babes slip past the clerk.
  4. Night hands missed the poll · Easy-to-reach lots skew counts; bulk never cures it.
  5. 18 · Times three turns 6 into 18, though baskets still differ.
  6. False · One lean harvest may drive both lines at once.
  7. Smuggled goods fled the log · The log kept taxed freight, not hidden casks.
  8. Ten year logs of ships in port · Long runs prove drifts; lone notes prove moments.
Worksheet · LightMySky