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Grade 5social-studiesStudents analyze letters, speeches, and photographs to identify a source's creator, purpose, perspective, and historical evidence.

Reading Primary Sources

Practice analyzing letters, speeches, and photographs with 10 problems, an answer key, and a free printable PDF for Grade 5.

10 problems · Standards: D2.His.10.3-5, D2.His.11.3-5 · Difficulty: medium

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✅ Answer key included · ✅ Free for home & classroom use

Highlights

Grade
Grade 5
Pages
3 · worksheet + answer key
Answer key
✅ Included
Class time
about 15 min

What's inside

  1. 1. A photograph from 1920 shows a large group of women holding signs that say 'Votes for Women.' What is one thing you can learn from this primary source?
  2. 2. A letter begins: 'Dear Mayor Johnson, I am writing to ask you to fix the broken streetlights on Oak Avenue.' Who is the audience for this letter?
  3. 3. A photograph from 1935 shows a long line of people waiting outside a building with a sign reading 'Free Soup.' What can you observe directly from this photograph?
  4. 4. A speech from 1850 states: 'We must build a railroad connecting our town to the capital city so farmers can sell their crops more easily.' What was the speaker's purpose?
  5. 5. A diary entry from 1862 reads: 'Today I sewed bandages for the hospital. My brother is fighting far away, and I worry about him every day.' What is the writer's perspective about the events happening?
  6. 6. A newspaper article from 1905 has the headline 'New Factory Opens, Promises 500 Jobs' and includes a photograph of the factory owner shaking hands with the governor. Who likely arranged for this photograph to be taken?

Showing 6 of 10 problems. The free PDF includes every problem plus the full answer key.

Preview

Page 1 preview of Reading Primary Sources
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Page 2 partial preview of Reading Primary Sources
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The free PDF includes all 3 pages — every problem plus the full answer key.

What’s included

  • 10 problems across 3 pages (worksheet + answer key)
  • Answer key included — every answer, ready to check
  • Standards: D2.His.10.3-5, D2.His.11.3-5
  • Skill: Students analyze letters, speeches, and photographs to identify a source's creator, purpose, perspective, and historical evidence.
  • Suggested use: classwork, homework, or sub plans

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