Checking a Claim Before You Repeat It · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Tracing a claim to its source

English · Reading Comprehension · ages 14-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A second page repeats the first story word for word. What is it?

    • An independent confirmation
    • A stronger primary source
    • An echo, not a second source

  2. You meet a shocking claim online. What is your very first move?

    • Share it before it disappears
    • Trace it back to its first source
    • Rewrite it in your own words

  3. If you cannot find where a claim started, you should not repeat it.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A source shows strong evidence but admits one gap. How should you read that?

    • As honest about its limits
    • As weaker than loud certainty
    • As proof the claim is false

  5. Which pair gives a claim real support?

    • Two sources that each checked the facts alone
    • Two pages copying the same post
    • One post plus its own screenshot

  6. To test a claim, ask what would have to be true, then check the sources show it.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. Two outlets confirm a claim, but both quote the same unnamed post. What is missing?

    • A genuinely independent check
    • A longer headline
    • A newer screenshot

  8. A juice post traces back only to the shop selling the juice. What should you do?

    • Repeat it, shops know best
    • Stop: the trail ends at the seller
    • Repeat it with a question mark
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_alX03luQ-m-s1

Answer key

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

Tracing a claim to its source W1-mt_alX03luQ-m-s1

  1. An echo, not a second source · A copy gathered nothing on its own. Only independent checking confirms.
  2. Trace it back to its first source · Speed spreads falsehood. Tracing first shows whether the claim has roots.
  3. True · No origin means no roots. Unrooted claims must not be passed on.
  4. As honest about its limits · Admitting gaps is a mark of trust. Loud certainty with no gaps is the warning sign.
  5. Two sources that each checked the facts alone · Real support needs two lots of independent legwork, not two copies.
  6. True · Claims stand or fall on their hidden musts. Check each one in the sources.
  7. A genuinely independent check · Two outlets quoting one post share one root. Independence is still missing.
  8. Stop: the trail ends at the seller · A seller praising its own juice is the trail stopping, not a confirmation.
Worksheet · LightMySky