Checking sources against each other · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Do the sources agree?

History · Historical Thinking · ages 8-10
Name ______________________   Date ____________
  1. Why compare other clues after reading a source carefully?

    • To replace checking with a bigger group
    • To choose the easiest story to summarize
    • To test details with other clues
  2. A book says a bridge was built in 1200. Which action checks outside that book?

    • Look for the same year elsewhere within that book
    • Check whether the book's chapters give matching dates
    • Compare it with a separate record about that bridge
  3. A card says a tower was finished in 1820. Which separate source directly addresses when that tower was finished?

    • A clock catalog printed in another country
    • An 1820 record saying that tower was finished
    • A town picture showing several different buildings
  4. Three people had clear views of a gate opening. They made records without copying one another. The records give the same opening time. What does this add?

    • More support for the time they report
    • Proof of every detail about the opening
    • A reason to stop checking all the records
  5. Two diaries put a fair in the morning and two in the afternoon. What could help check the difference?

    • A program listing opening and later activities
    • Another person's vote for either morning or afternoon
    • A count of pages in the morning and afternoon diaries
  6. One letter says a shop first opened on Monday. Another says Tuesday. Both describe the same first opening. Mia has no other clues to settle the difference. What should she report?

    • The first opening day is still uncertain
    • The shop definitely first opened on both days
    • The later day must be the actual opening day
  7. Students disagree whether recess began before or after lunch. Which next step can check that order?

    • Ask another student to choose a version
    • Keep the time repeated by more of the students
    • Check the plan and records of that day
  8. The chart counts reports of castle-fire years. How many reports are in the largest group?

    121521216512173

    Answer: ______________

  9. Writers describing a flood could observe its start day and made records without copying one another. They agree on that day but estimate different depths. Which conclusion fits?

    • Use the largest depth estimate as the final answer
    • Reject the start day because the depths are different
    • The day has support; check the depth further
  10. Two spectators disagree about which half had a goal. Which record most directly checks this?

    • A poll asking other fans which half they prefer
    • A match record listing goals in each half
    • A team list naming all the players at the match
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Answer key

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

Do the sources agree? W1-mt_wWlZoLQBR6-s1

  1. To test details with other clues · Other clues may test details or reveal things the source left out.
  2. Compare it with a separate record about that bridge · A separate bridge record gives an outside comparison. Repeated dates and matching chapters are checks within the book.
  3. An 1820 record saying that tower was finished · The completion record addresses the same tower and event.
  4. More support for the time they report · Separate records from people with clear views can add support for the time. They do not make mistakes impossible.
  5. A program listing opening and later activities · The program may show different activities at different times. It is a plan, so also check records of what happened.
  6. The first opening day is still uncertain · The letters describe the same first opening but give different days. With no clue to settle the conflict, Mia should report the day as uncertain.
  7. Check the plan and records of that day · The plan and records of the day can help test the order. A plan alone does not prove what happened.
  8. 5 · The tallest bar contains 5 reports. This does not prove the actual fire year.
  9. The day has support; check the depth further · The stated separate records support the day. Their different depth estimates still need checking.
  10. A match record listing goals in each half · A record of goals by half addresses when the goal happened.
Worksheet · LightMySky