S3U

History / Historical sources / Grade 12 / hscdi

Test Competing Historical Explanations - Practice 1

An explanation should state what evidence would distinguish it from alternatives.

All worksheets
5 questions0m 0s
Learn the skill

An explanation should state what evidence would distinguish it from alternatives. Repeating a preferred claim is not a test. Seek appropriate records, compare scope and provenance, and be willing to revise. All scenarios below are invented.

Worked example

To separate a transport explanation from a demand explanation for trade growth, examine transport costs and demand indicators, not just the growth total.

To separate a transport explanation from a demand explanation for trade growth, examine transport costs and demand indicators, not just the growth total.
To separate a transport explanation from a demand explanation for trade growth, examine transport costs and demand indicators, not just the growth total.
Question 1 Invented case 1: trade rose after a canal opened. Explanations: lower transport costs or higher demand. Which evidence best helps distinguish them?
Question 2 Invented case 2: town population grew. Explanations: in-migration or more births. Which evidence best helps distinguish them?
Question 3 Invented case 3: grain prices rose. Explanations: lower supply or higher demand. Which evidence best helps distinguish them?
Question 4 Invented case 4: factory output rose. Explanations: more working hours or higher hourly output. Which evidence best helps distinguish them?
Question 5 Invented case 5: school attendance rose. Explanations: new enrollments or better daily attendance among existing pupils. Which evidence best helps distinguish them?