Define Key Words
Dating History
Who's Who
What a Historian Does
Interpreting History
100

What is continuity?

A. A sudden change in history
B. The way things stay the same over time
C. A type of government
D. A historical document

B. The way things stay the same over time.

100

Which term means the same thing as BCE?

A. CE
B. AD
C. BC
D. Gregorian

C. BC

100

Who studies written records from the past?

A. Paleontologist
B. Historian
C. Archeologist
D. Anthropologist

B. Historian

100

What is historical inquiry?

A. Predicting future events
B. The study of writings and objects from the past
C. Writing fictional stories about history
D. Memorizing dates only

B. The study of writings and objects from the past

100

What does it mean to interpret history?

A. To memorize dates only
B. To explain the meaning of events using evidence and reasoning
C. To guess what happened in the past
D. To rewrite history books

B. To explain the meaning of events using evidence and reasoning

200

What is evidence?

A. A guess about the past
B. A personal opinion
C. Something that shows proof
D. A future prediction

C. Something that shows proof

200

What calendar is most commonly used in the United States today?

A. Lunar Calendar
B. Roman Calendar
C. Gregorian Calendar
D. Egyptian Calendar

C. Gregorian Calendar

200

Which scientist studies artifacts like tools, pottery, and weapons left behind by people?

A. Archeologist
B. Paleontologist
C. Historian
D. Astronomer

A. Archeologist

200

Which of the following is a primary source?

A. A modern history textbook
B. A documentary made in 2020
C. A diary written during World War II
D. A biography written years later

C. A dairy written during World War II. 

200

Which word clue often shows a cause-and-effect relationship?

A. Before
B. Compare
C. Because
D. Similar

C. Because

300

A student copies information from a website and turns it in as their own work. Which key word describes this action?

A. Continuity
B. Evidence
C. Bias
D. Plagiarize

D. Plagiarize

300

The Sumerians invented writing in 3200 BCE and were conquered by Sargon in 2340 BCE. About how many years passed between these events?

A. 860 years
B. 1,000 years
C. 320 years
D. 5,540 years

A. 860 years

300

A scientist studies fossilized dinosaur bones to learn about life long ago. Which type of scientist are they?

A. Historian
B. Anthropologist
C. Paleontologist
D. Archeologist

C. Paleontologist 

300

A student uses a website article written by a historian in 2024 about Ancient Egypt. What type of source is this?

A. Primary source
B. Secondary source
C. Artifact
D. Fossil

Correct Answer: B. Secondary source

B. Secondary source
300

A historian studies people from the Middle Ages using only today’s ideas about rights and society. According to historians, why is this a problem?

A. Modern ideas may not match the beliefs and values of that time period
B. Ancient history should not be studied
C. Historians should ignore evidence
D. Middle Ages history is fictional

A. Modern ideas may not match the beliefs and values of that time period

400

A historian refuses to consider facts because they already strongly dislike a historical leader. Which term best describes this behavior?

A. Bias
B. Continuity
C. Evidence
D. Timeline

A. Bias

400

Which date would be the MOST recent?

A. 500 BCE
B. 100 BCE
C. 2026 CE
D. 44 BCE

C. 2026 CE

400

An anthropologist studies traditions, beliefs, and laws to understand how people lived. What is the anthropologist mainly studying?

A. Fossils
B. Culture
C. Tree rings
D. Weapons

B. Culture
400

A historian asks, “How might this person’s culture and experiences affect how they understand an event?” Which idea is the historian examining?

A. Evidence
B. Continuity
C. Frame of reference
D. Plagiarism

C. Frame of reference

400

A student reads that a civilization built roads, traded goods, and developed written laws. The student concludes that the civilization had an organized government. What skill is the student using?

A. Sequencing
B. Categorizing
C. Making a generalization
D. Predicting

C. Make a generalization
500

A historian studies how schools have changed over 100 years but notices students still attend classes daily and learn core subjects. Which term best describes what stayed the same?

A. Bias
B. Plagiarism
C. Continuity
D. Evidence

C. Continuity 

500

A historian says an empire lasted from 750 BCE to 250 BCE. Which statement is correct?

A. The empire lasted 250 years
B. The empire lasted 500 years
C. The empire lasted 1,000 years
D. The empire lasted 2,500 years

B. The empire lasted 500 years

500

A wooden tool is discovered at an ancient settlement. Scientists compare the rings in the wood to known tree ages to determine how old it is. Which dating method are they using?

A. Radiocarbon dating
B. Thermoluminescence dating
C. Tree-ring dating
D. Depth in Ground

C. Tree-ring dating

500

A historian studies a speech written by a civil rights leader during the 1960s. Why would this source be especially valuable for historical inquiry?

A. It was written recently
B. It gives a firsthand perspective from the time period
C. It summarizes many historians’ opinions
D. It avoids all possible bias

B. It gives a firsthand perspective from the time period.

500

A passage explains that a king raised taxes, which caused protests, and the protests eventually led to a rebellion. What is the BEST inference a historian could make?

A. The king wanted to help citizens
B. High taxes may create unrest in society
C. All rebellions are successful
D. Taxes were invented during this event

B. High taxes may create unrest in society