Decide how far to trust a source: author, purpose, audience, and a second source
Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
Use this
Card A (April 25, 1775): "Captain John Parker's sworn statement". Who made it: John Parker, captain of the Lexington militia. For whom: the Massachusetts colonial leaders. Why: to give his side under oath. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Parker says he ordered his men to break up and not to fire, and that the British troops fired on them without any cause. How far can I trust it? For: He saw it himself and swore to it six days later. Against: He led one side and wanted his men to look blameless. Card B (printed 1835): "A Concord report printed in 1835". Who made it: Nathan Barrett and other Concord men, printed in Lemuel Shattuck's history of Concord. For whom: readers of a town history. Why: to record what Concord heard that morning. Summary in our words, not a quotation: A scout, Reuben Brown, brought word that shots had been fired at Lexington, but he could not tell whether they were live ammunition. How far can I trust it? For: It reports what a scout said that same morning. Against: The scout was not sure what kind of shots were fired. Card C (today): "April 19, 1775". Who made it: historians at Minute Man National Historical Park. For whom: visitors and readers today. Why: to explain the day from many accounts. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Accounts vary. Mounted British officers rode toward the militia, and a shot rang out from an unknown source. Then British soldiers fired. Eight militiamen lost their lives and ten were wounded. How far can I trust it? For: It compares accounts from both sides. Against: It was written long after, by people who were not there.
Which card supports Parker's statement that shots were fired at Lexington, Zee asks?
- No other card mentions shots
- Card C says no shots were fired
- Card B, the Concord report
- Card A supports itself
Does card C back Parker's claim about who fired first, Ari asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Yes; it says the militia fired first
- No; it says no shots were fired
- Yes; it says the British fired first
- No; it says the source is unknown
On which point do cards A and C agree, Bo asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- No one was hurt that day
- Historians know who fired the first shot
- British soldiers fired on the militia
- The militia fired first
Why is the scout's report weaker evidence about the first shot, Jun asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- The scout could not tell the shots
- It was written by Parker
- It names the person who fired first
- It was printed the same day
Why is card C able to compare both sides, Kira asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Its writers read both sides' accounts
- It was written in 1775
- Its writers stood on the green that day
- It was sworn under oath
Luz must say who fired the first shot. Which answer is most careful?
Use the picture in question 1.
- It is not known; sources disagree
- The scout, who heard it
- The militia, as no card says
- The British, as Parker swore under oath
Which card is strongest evidence of what Lexington's militia captain said, Milo asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Card A, Parker's own statement
- Card C, written today
- Card B, the scout's report
- No card gives his words
Parker swore an oath. Does an oath settle who fired first, Noah asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- No; oaths did not exist then
- Yes; the British agreed
- Yes; sworn words must be true
- No; he still saw from one side
Pia's note says, "Card B was written on April 19, 1775." Which fix is right?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Change 1775 to 1798
- Leave it: it reports that morning
- Change it: printed in 1835
- Change card B to card C
Ren's note says, "Every source agrees the British fired first." Which fix is right?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Change it: only Parker says so
- Leave it: the cards agree
- Change British to militia
- Change first to last
