Firsthand or Secondhand 1
What is a firsthand account?
A firsthand account is a description of an event from someone who was there to experience it.
She felt her way along the bushes. She raised her head to catch the smell
of the spring flowers. Often she would visit the garden and bury her face
in the soft green leaves. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. Although she
could not see, she knew the plants and flowers by touch.
It was one of her favorite places.
Is this passage told from firsthand account or secondhand account? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Secondhand Account
What does it mean to contrast different accounts?
a. to discuss how they are similar
b. to discuss how they are different
c. to define what they reader means
d. to understand the author's purpose
b. to discuss how they are different
What does it mean to compare an account?
a. to discuss how they are similar
b. to discuss how they are different
c. to define what it means
d. to identify who is telling the story.
a. to discuss how they are similar
I walked onto the pitcher’s mound and faced the batter. He took a couple of practice swings and then looked straight at me, waiting for the pitch. As soon as I threw the ball, I knew it would be a strike. He swung and missed as the ball sailed right over the plate!
What point of view is that passage told from?a. First person
Even in the days before my teacher came, I used to feel along the square
stiff boxwood hedges, and, guided by the sense of smell would find the first
violets and lilies. There, I went to find comfort and to hide my hot face in the
cool leaves and grass. What joy it was to lose myself in that garden of flowers.
Is this passage told from firsthand account or secondhand account? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Firsthand Account.
The Oregon Trail
In 1843, thousands of people began traveling across America to the open lands of the West. Most of these people followed a path known as the Oregon Trail. Pioneers set out from towns along the Missouri River in the Midwest. They made a 2,000-mile trek to their new homes in California and Oregon. Some traveled in covered wagons. Others were on foot or horseback. The route was filled with danger and hardship.
Is this passage told from firsthand account or secondhand account? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Secondhand Account
Which statement BEST describes how the texts "The Unsinkable Titanic" and "The Sinking of the Titanic are similar?
a. both describe the events of the titanic and how the ship sank
b. both describe the way in which people were put into lifeboats
c. both describe someone's experience
d. both describe the way the ship was built.
a. both describe the events of the titanic and how the ship sank
Which statement from the text BEST describes how the texts "The Unsinkable Titanic" and "The Sinking of the Titanic" are different?
a. one account discussed the experience from someone who was there and one account discussed by someone who was reporting it
b. both accounts discussed the experience from someone who was there
c. one account discussed the experience from someone who was there and one account was discussed by someone who wasn't reporting it
a. one account discussed the experience from someone who was there and one account discussed by someone who was reporting it
Daquan worked really hard on his sight words. He thought that he was ready to read them to the teacher, so he asked her to listen in. She thought he did wonderful!
What point of view is that passage told from?
a. First Person
b. Third Person Limited
c. Third Person Omniscient
c. Third Person Omniscient
August 1st we nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte [River]. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion. When performing this feat that afternoon, my dress caught on an axle helve. I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my leg before my father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury … The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set …
Is this passage told from firsthand account or secondhand account? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Firsthand account
What is a secondhand account?
A secondhand account is a description of an event based on research or told by someone who was NOT there to see it.
Passage 1: Even in the days before my teacher came, I used to feel along the square
stiff boxwood hedges, and, guided by the sense of smell would find the first
violets and lilies. There, I went to find comfort and to hide my hot face in the
cool leaves and grass. What joy it was to lose myself in that garden of flowers.
Passage 2: She felt her way along the bushes. She raised her head to catch the smell
of the spring flowers. Often she would visit the garden and bury her face
in the soft green leaves. It was a beautiful and peaceful place. Although she
could not see, she knew the plants and flowers by touch.
It was one of her favorite places.
What do you think a reader might benefit from reading both accounts?
a. That Helen Keller was sad that she was blind.
b. That Helen Keller used her sense of touch to feel around the garden.
c. That Helen Keller was grateful for her teacher.
d. That Helen Keller's favorite flowers were violets and lilies.
b. That Helen Keller used her sense of touch to feel around the garden.
Passage 1
Around 9:30 last night, Metro Airport was quite busy. An international plane of Feather Airlines had trouble landing. The captain reported a problem with the landing gear. The plane, which was full, safely landed 40 minutes late.The passengers rushed out of the plane. They ran into the arms of their friends and family members in the waiting area. The airplane will be checked for any problems.
Passage 2
At first, the captain or the flight attendants did not say anything to us. We knew the captain was taking his time to land the plane. We weren’t worried at first. We were already at the airport, and we could see the other planes on the ground. When more than 10 minutes passed and the plane was still in the air, people started complaining. The kids started whining. I did not want to worry my mother, who was sound asleep. I was worried.
Which statement BEST describes how these two passages are similar?
a. a plane that had whining passengers.
b. how busy Metro Airport was at night.
c. the problem with landing a plane.
d. the people in the plane who were worried.
c. the problem with landing a plane.
Thomas made a bet with his friend Stephen that he could hold the globe up for the entire class period. Stephen thought for sure he would win, but Thomas knew that he could do this all day.
What point of view is this passage told from?
a. First Person
b. Third Person Limited
c. Third Person Omniscient
b. Third Person Limited
In 1900, a powerful hurricane wrecked the
city of Galveston, Texas. It destroyed many
homes. This boy watched the hurricane as it
was happening. His description of the event
would be a firsthand account that includes
his thoughts and feelings. He wants to retell
what he experience.
Is this passage told from firsthand account or secondhand account? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
Secondhand Account
Becoming a teacher was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I loved helping my students learn and improve. I look back on my time as a teacher with memories that leave me smiling. I keep that smile as I look forward to the day when I return to the classroom once more.
There were so many responsibilities when I was given my first class. I remember being surprised at how much work goes into being a teacher. I had to plan a lesson in each subject, get the necessary materials and deliver the lesson in a way that students would learn. I couldn’t be boring, but I also couldn’t become best friends with my students. My job was to prepare students for success in the future. I left for work at 5:30 in the morning and went home at 6:30 at night.
How would this article compare to an article about teaching that is written by someone who is not a teacher?
a. This article relies on what the author has heard instead of experienced directly.
b.Both articles rely on lots of research into life as a teacher.
c.Neither article would be able to explain the life of a teacher to readers.
d.This article uses personal experience to color the details, while a secondhand account would not.
d.This article uses personal experience to color the details, while a secondhand account would not.
Passage 1: August 1st we nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte [River]. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion. When performing this feat that afternoon, my dress caught on an axle helve. I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my leg before my father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury … The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set …
Passage 2: In 1843, thousands of people began traveling across America to the open lands of the West. Most of these people followed a path known as the Oregon Trail. Pioneers set out from towns along the Missouri River in the Midwest. They made a 2,000-mile trek to their new homes in California and Oregon. Some traveled in covered wagons. Others were on foot or horseback. The route was filled with danger and hardship.
Which two are similarities between both passages?
A. Both happened in 1843.
B. Both are about the Oregon Trail.
C. Both passages are told from a firsthand account
D. Both passages show that traveling the Oregon Trail was scary but fun.
E. Both tell about the danger and hardship people experienced on the Oregon Trail.
B. Both are about the Oregon Trail.
E. Both tell about the danger and hardship people experienced on the Oregon Trail.
Passage 1
Doing the yard work was very hard. Not only did I have to mow the lawn, but I had to pull weeds out of the garden as well. It was so hot outside. I got very sweaty and tired. After I was done, I enjoyed a cold glass of water and thought about all the fun I would have now that I was free for the rest of the day.
Passage 2
Now that the lawn is mowed and the weeds have been removed, the yard looks so much better. Jack must have worked very hard, especially considering how hot it is outside. He really deserves the cold glass of water he is drinking. Jack did a great job on his chores and learned the value of hard work.
Which statement from the text BEST describes the difference between the two accounts?
a. It was a hot day.
b. The work made Jack sweaty and tired.
c. The work was very hard.
d. Jack mowed the lawn.
b. The work made Jack sweaty and tired.
Coach Thompson knew that the boys could do better than their last track meet. All of the boy, however, felt like they had given their best.
Which point of view is used in this paragraph?
a. First Person
b. Third Person Limited
c. Third Person Omniscient
c. Third Person Omniscient
Passage 1: In 1843, thousands of people began traveling across America to the open lands of the West. Most of these people followed a path known as the Oregon Trail. Pioneers set out from towns along the Missouri River in the Midwest. They made a 2,000-mile trek to their new homes in California and Oregon. Some traveled in covered wagons. Others were on foot or horseback. The route was filled with danger and hardship.
Passage 2:
August 1st we nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte [River]. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion. When performing this feat that afternoon, my dress caught on an axle helve. I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my leg before my father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury … The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set …
What can a reader gain by read both passages?
a. From the secondhand account (Passage 1), the reader gets more background information about why people traveled on the Oregon Trail. From the firsthand account (Passage 2), the reader gets a better understanding why people enjoyed traveling on the Oregon Trail.
b. From the secondhand account (Passage 1), the reader learned how long the Oregon Trail was. From the firsthand account (Passage 2), the reader learned when people traveled on the Oregon Trail.
c. From the secondhand account (Passage 1), the reader gets more background information about what the Oregon Trail was. From the firsthand account (Passage 2), the reader gets a better understanding why it was so dangerous.
d. From the secondhand account (Passage 1), the reader learned all the hardships face on the trip . From the firsthand account (Passage 2), the reader gets a better understanding of why a little girl broke her leg.
c. From the secondhand account (Passage 1), the reader gets more background information about what the Oregon Trail was. From the firsthand account (Passage 2), the reader gets a better understanding why it was so dangerous.
Misty Copeland is a ballet dancer who changed the way the world saw ballerinas. She challenged stereotypes in the ballet world. Her dancing combines elegance and strength, and she continues to inspire dancers of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Misty joined her school drill team at age 13. Her coach knew Misty had something special. She encouraged Misty to attend a ballet clinic at the Boys and Girls Club. Cynthia Bradley was the instructor of the class. She was so impressed that she asked Misty to join her local ballet school. Misty spent long hours training and followed a very strict diet. This type of training can affect a dancer’s body. At 19, she started medicine to help strengthen her bones, but it caused her to gain 10 pounds. She felt very insecure.
How would this text be different if it were written by someone who was there?
a. It would include details about Misty’s personal feelings.
b. It would have details about the events from a first-hand perspective.
c. It would include Misty’s opinion on she started ballet.
d. It would have to rely on just the facts.
b. It would have details about the events from a first-hand perspective.
Passage 1: In 1843, thousands of people began traveling across America to the open lands of the West. Most of these people followed a path known as the Oregon Trail. Pioneers set out from towns along the Missouri River in the Midwest. They made a 2,000-mile trek to their new homes in California and Oregon. Some traveled in covered wagons. Others were on foot or horseback. The route was filled with danger and hardship.
Passage 2:
August 1st we nooned in a beautiful grove on the north side of the Platte [River]. We had by this time got used to climbing in and out of the wagon when in motion. When performing this feat that afternoon, my dress caught on an axle helve. I was thrown under the wagon wheel, which passed over and badly crushed my leg before my father could stop the team. He picked me up and saw the extent of the injury … The news soon spread along the train and a halt was called. A surgeon was found and the limb set …
How are the accounts different?
May 10, 1874
We have been walking west for nearly ten days. My family nearly lost our wagon as we tried to cross a river. Yesterday a bear tried to attack us. We barely escaped.
During the 1800s, thousands of families traveled west to claim land. The journey was dangerous with thousands of travelers never reaching their destination. Rivers and animals were threats.
Which statement provides the BEST comparison of these two accounts?
a. Both of the accounts include information about bear attacks
b. Both describe how families traveled west
c. Both describe how harsh and dangerous traveling west was
d. Both discuss how to cross a river
c. Both describe how harsh and dangerous traveling west was
“Good day to make a fire,” Grandpa said, looking out the window at the
gray winter sky. “I’ll need to cut some wood.”
“Can I help?” I asked.
“Sure, Calvin,” he said. “You’re old enough now to handle a saw.”
We grabbed our coats and walked to the garage. I felt excited when he
handed me a saw and a pair of gloves. I had wanted to learn how to use a saw
for some time. We walked to the woodpile outside. Grandpa placed a log on
an old stump, which he used as a sort of worktable. He moved the saw back
and forth across the log. Soon, the sawed half dropped to the ground.
“Now you try,” he said, placing another log on the stump and handing
me the saw. I pressed the blade on the log and tried to push the saw. The
blade jerked and jammed in the wood.
“I can’t do it,” I said, feeling my excitement turn to disappointment.
“You’re trying too hard,” Grandpa said. “Let the tool do the work.”
I relaxed my grip on the handle, and sure enough, the saw moved easily
through the wood. When the log fell in half, I felt proud. “I did it!” I said.
Which point of view is used in the passage? Use evidence to support your answer.
First person