KS2 Investigating History | How to Discover the Past

History Quiz - Investigating History (Questions)

Historians are like detectives of the past. They study clues, sources, and timelines to find out what really happened many years ago.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Primary sources come from the time being studied, for example a diary written during the Second World War.

In KS2 History, investigating history means using sources, evidence, and questions to understand the past. Pupils learn how to compare different accounts and decide which evidence is most trustworthy.

Key Terms

Primary source: A piece of evidence made at the time of the event, such as a diary, photograph, or letter.
Secondary source: Information created later that describes the past, such as a textbook, website, or modern history book.
Evidence: Clues from the past that help historians answer questions about what happened and why.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why do historians use different sources in KS2 History?

Historians use different sources in KS2 History so they can compare ideas, check facts, and spot bias. Using more than one source helps them build a fair picture of the past.

What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?

Primary sources come from the time of the event, while secondary sources are created later. Secondary sources often use primary sources to explain or describe what happened.

How do historians investigate the past in primary school?

In primary school, historians investigate the past by looking at sources, asking questions, placing events on timelines, and comparing different pieces of evidence to build a fair picture.

Try These Related Quizzes

What is the name given to people who dig to find old things in the ground?

[ ]	Architects
[ ]	Archaeologists
[ ]	Historians
[ ]	Gardeners

What is the name of objects studied by historians and archaeologists?

[ ]	Articles
[ ]	Artefacts
[ ]	Artisans
[ ]	Artists

What is the name of the records which have recorded everyone living in Britain since 1801?

[ ]	Centuries
[ ]	Senses
[ ]	Census
[ ]	Archives

How often is the census done?

[ ]	Every year
[ ]	Every 10 years
[ ]	Every 20 years
[ ]	Every 50 years

When did the registering of births become compulsory?

[ ]	1801
[ ]	1875
[ ]	1901
[ ]	1975

Which records can be used to find people before registration came in in 1837?

[ ]	Parish or church records
[ ]	Archives
[ ]	Registers
[ ]	Census

Where are local records kept?

[ ]	Archives
[ ]	Schools
[ ]	Vicarages
[ ]	Book shops

What is oral history?

[ ]	Written information found in old documents
[ ]	Information from artefacts
[ ]	Spoken information from people who lived during those times
[ ]	Information from portraits

What are historians looking for to prove their theories about history?

[ ]	Records
[ ]	Maps
[ ]	Artefacts
[ ]	Evidence

10.

Not all historians agree about the past. Their view depends on their what?

[ ]	Their sources
[ ]	Their records
[ ]	Their interpretation
[ ]	Their evidence

History Quiz - Investigating History (Answers)

What is the name given to people who dig to find old things in the ground?

[ ]	Architects
[x]	Archaeologists
[ ]	Historians
[ ]	Gardeners

The word archaeology comes from the Ancient Greek for antiquarian lore or ancient knowledge

What is the name of objects studied by historians and archaeologists?

[ ]	Articles
[x]	Artefacts
[ ]	Artisans
[ ]	Artists

Artefacts are things made by humans long ago and thy can give us some idea of what life was like at the time they were made

What is the name of the records which have recorded everyone living in Britain since 1801?

[ ]	Centuries
[ ]	Senses
[x]	Census
[ ]	Archives

A census is done regularly and the names and addresses of everyone living in the country are written down

How often is the census done?

[ ]	Every year
[x]	Every 10 years
[ ]	Every 20 years
[ ]	Every 50 years

Every household in UK has to fill it in

When did the registering of births become compulsory?

[ ]	1801
[x]	1875
[ ]	1901
[ ]	1975

Before 1875 only half of all births were registered

Which records can be used to find people before registration came in in 1837?

[x]	Parish or church records
[ ]	Archives
[ ]	Registers
[ ]	Census

Churces kept a record of all the baptisms and funerals they performed

Where are local records kept?

[x]	Archives
[ ]	Schools
[ ]	Vicarages
[ ]	Book shops

Archives are often within your local library

What is oral history?

[ ]	Written information found in old documents
[ ]	Information from artefacts
[x]	Spoken information from people who lived during those times
[ ]	Information from portraits

The word oral means spoken