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Putting Two Sources Side by Side is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on comparing what different sources say, aligned to Common Core standard D2.His.10.3-5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 16 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Putting Two Sources Side by Side

D2.His.10.3-5

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.Why is a single source rarely enough for a question like this?
  • A.One source is illegal
  • B.Sources are usually false
  • C.Each one was made for its own purpose and leaves things out
2.The 2015 book says the valley gained more than it lost. How do you test that?
  • A.Reject it: it is recent
  • B.Accept it: it is recent
  • C.Check it against the register and the directory yourself
3.The directory shows 11 porters and 4 wharf labourers. What does the register add?
  • A.It names people the numbers only counted
  • B.It repeats the directory
  • C.It contradicts the directory
4.Two sources agree on the opening date. What does that give you?
  • A.Proof of everything else
  • B.A reason to drop one
  • C.Better confidence in the date than either source alone
5.The petition says 200 families lived by the canal. How would you check it?
  • A.Reject it: it is a petition
  • B.Trust it: it is handwritten
  • C.Look for a census or a directory that counts them independently
6.The newspaper praises the railway; the petition opposes it. What follows?
  • A.One must be a forgery
  • B.Neither can be used
  • C.Both are evidence, and each tells you whose interest it speaks for
7.The timetable gives fares; the register gives no wages. Why does that matter?
  • A.You cannot tell who could afford to travel without both
  • B.Fares are unimportant
  • C.Wages were all the same
8.Two sources disagree about who benefited. What should you do?
  • A.Split the difference
  • B.Ask who made each one and what they stood to gain
  • C.Believe the older one

LessonPrint · D2.His.10.3-5 · Set 16 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Putting Two Sources Side by Side

Set 16. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Each one was made for its own purpose and leaves things out
  2. 2.Check it against the register and the directory yourself
  3. 3.It names people the numbers only counted
  4. 4.Better confidence in the date than either source alone
  5. 5.Look for a census or a directory that counts them independently
  6. 6.Both are evidence, and each tells you whose interest it speaks for
  7. 7.You cannot tell who could afford to travel without both
  8. 8.Ask who made each one and what they stood to gain

More practice for D2.His.10.3-5

Compare what different sources say about the same past.

Teaching this next? Two Sources Side by Side is the 45-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 3 to Grade 5 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.10.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.