Unit Checkpoint
Unit Review
This checkpoint tests your understanding of all concepts covered in the Primary and Secondary Sources unit. Before attempting the checkpoint, make sure you have reviewed:
Key Concepts from This Unit
- Types of Sources: Understanding the difference between primary sources (original, firsthand) and secondary sources (analysis and interpretation)
- Evaluating Reliability: Assessing whether a source is trustworthy by examining author, purpose, bias, and corroboration
- Primary Source Analysis: Using the SOAP method (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose) to systematically analyze documents
- Maps and Data: Reading and interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and data visualizations
- Claim and Evidence Writing: Constructing arguments using the C-E-R framework (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
Skills You Should Have Developed
- Identifying whether a source is primary or secondary
- Analyzing sources for bias, perspective, and reliability
- Reading maps with attention to legend, scale, and context
- Interpreting data from charts and graphs
- Writing clear claims supported by evidence from sources
- Connecting evidence to claims with logical reasoning
Sample Analysis
Putting It All Together
Source: A letter from a Roman merchant to his brother, dated 50 CE, describing trade goods arriving from China
Complete Analysis:
1. Source Type: Primary source - written by someone who lived during the time period
2. SOAP Analysis:
- Speaker: A Roman merchant with direct experience in trade
- Occasion: 50 CE, during the height of Silk Road trade
- Audience: His brother - personal communication, likely honest
- Purpose: To share news about business; may exaggerate profits
3. Reliability Assessment:
- Strengths: Firsthand account, specific details, personal letter suggests honesty
- Limitations: One person's perspective, may focus on interesting/unusual events, possible exaggeration
- Corroboration needed: Compare with other trade records, archaeological evidence, other merchants' accounts
4. Using This Source as Evidence:
[Claim] The Silk Road connected distant civilizations and enabled the exchange of valuable goods. [Evidence] In a letter from 50 CE, a Roman merchant describes receiving silk and spices that had traveled thousands of miles from China and India. [Reasoning] This firsthand account demonstrates that trade networks were functioning effectively, allowing luxury goods to reach Roman markets despite the vast distances involved.
Unit Checkpoint Questions
Answer all questions to test your mastery of this unit's concepts.
1. A textbook chapter about ancient Greece written in 2020 is a:
- A) Primary source because it contains facts
- B) Secondary source because it analyzes and interprets the past
- C) Primary source because textbooks are always primary
- D) Neither primary nor secondary
2. When evaluating a source's reliability, which question is MOST important?
- A) Is the source printed on high-quality paper?
- B) What was the author's purpose and potential bias?
- C) How long is the source?
- D) Does the source have pictures?
3. The "A" in SOAP analysis stands for:
- A) Author
- B) Argument
- C) Audience
- D) Analysis
4. A map from 1400 shows sea monsters in the Atlantic Ocean. This tells historians that:
- A) Sea monsters existed in 1400
- B) Mapmakers of that era had limited knowledge of the Atlantic and included mythological elements
- C) The map is unreliable and should be ignored
- D) Only maps with sea monsters are authentic
5. Which is an example of corroborating evidence?
- A) Reading the same source twice
- B) Finding a second, independent source that confirms the first source's information
- C) Asking a friend if they agree with the source
- D) Copying information from the source
6. A line graph would be the best choice for showing:
- A) The percentage of people in different occupations
- B) Population changes over a 100-year period
- C) The location of ancient cities
- D) The parts of a government
7. In the C-E-R framework, what comes between the claim and the reasoning?
- A) Conclusion
- B) Evidence
- C) Explanation
- D) Example
8. A political cartoon from 1900 criticizing a president would be:
- A) A primary source showing opinions of that time
- B) A secondary source because it is not a photograph
- C) Unreliable because cartoons are not serious
- D) Neither primary nor secondary
9. "Trade routes transformed ancient civilizations by spreading ideas, religions, and technologies." This statement is:
- A) A simple fact
- B) A strong claim that can be supported with evidence
- C) A question
- D) A piece of evidence
10. Why might a government report from 1850 contain biased information?
- A) The government may have wanted to present itself favorably
- B) All government reports are biased
- C) 1850 was too long ago for accurate records
- D) Government reports are never useful sources
11. Which element of a map tells you what the symbols and colors mean?
- A) Scale
- B) Compass rose
- C) Legend/Key
- D) Title
12. A diary entry from a soldier in World War I would be valuable because it:
- A) Provides a firsthand account of experiences and emotions
- B) Contains complete and unbiased information about the war
- C) Was written for publication
- D) Includes official military statistics
Check Your Results
Checkpoint Answers
1. B | 2. B | 3. C | 4. B | 5. B | 6. B | 7. B | 8. A | 9. B | 10. A | 11. C | 12. A
Scoring Guide
- 10-12 correct: Excellent! You have mastered the concepts in this unit.
- 7-9 correct: Good work! Review the lessons for topics you missed.
- 4-6 correct: Keep practicing. Go back and review each lesson carefully.
- 0-3 correct: Start from the beginning of the unit and work through each lesson again.
Concepts to Review If Needed
| If you missed... | Review this lesson |
|---|---|
| Questions 1, 8 | Types of Sources |
| Questions 2, 5, 10 | Evaluating Reliability |
| Questions 3, 12 | Primary Source Analysis |
| Questions 4, 6, 11 | Maps and Data Analysis |
| Questions 7, 9 | Claim and Evidence Writing |
Next Steps
- If you scored 10-12, you are ready to move on to the next unit
- Continue practicing source analysis with real historical documents
- Apply these skills in your other social studies units
- Remember: these skills will help you on the SAT and ACT!