Question

select the correct answer.
which of these is the best definition of a primary source?

a. created by someone who didn’t directly experience an event

b. a firsthand account of an event or time period

c. a summary of firsthand accounts of events or time periods

d. research collected from other sources

e. an authentic retelling of events or time periods

Explanation:

To determine the best definition of a primary source, we analyze each option:

• Option A: A primary source is created by someone who directly experienced the event, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: A firsthand account of an event or time period matches the definition of a primary source (e.g., diaries, original research, eyewitness accounts).
• Option C: A summary of firsthand accounts is a secondary source, not primary.
• Option D: Research collected from other sources is secondary (or tertiary) as it relies on existing sources.
• Option E: "Authentic retelling" is vague; primary sources are direct, unfiltered accounts, not just retellings.

Answer:

B. a firsthand account of an event or time period