Primary vs Secondary Sources

In this lesson, we will discuss how the GED test includes primary and secondary sources in its questions.

This lesson is a part of Onsego GED Prep.

Video Transcription

In this lesson, we will discuss how the GED test includes primary and secondary sources in its questions.

Primary sources are original, firsthand documents or evidence directly related to a historical event, person, or time period. Examples include speeches, letters, diaries, or photographs created by someone with firsthand knowledge of an event. When you see a question that says, “This is an excerpt from the speech…”, it’s mostly a primary source. Questions might ask, “What’s the main idea?” or “What’s the summary of this excerpt?” The provided choices are possible interpretations of the passage, and you need to choose the best summary.

Secondary sources are created by someone at a later time who did not have firsthand knowledge of the event. They usually provide interpretations and summaries of primary sources. For example, if a question says, “This is a summary of a speech…”, the passage already summarizes and analyzes primary sources. Questions might ask you to infer something based on the evidence in the passage, meaning your task is to make a prediction based on the passage.

Example of Primary Source Question:

Passage: “This is an excerpt from a speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963: ‘I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”‘”

Question: What is the main idea of this excerpt? A) Nationalism B) Economic equality C) Racial equality D) Political power

Correct Answer: C) Racial equality

Example of Secondary Source Question:

Passage: “This is a summary of several speeches given during the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing the need for racial equality and justice. Leaders called for peaceful protests and legal reforms to achieve these goals.”

Question: What is a logical inference based on this passage? A) The Civil Rights Movement focused on economic reforms. B) Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement advocated for violence. C) The movement aimed to achieve racial equality through peaceful means. D) Political power was the primary goal of the Civil Rights Movement.

Correct Answer: C) The movement aimed to achieve racial equality through peaceful means.

In the following lessons, we will discuss how to answer these types of questions in more detail. For now, remember that on the GED test, primary sources are excerpts of speeches that you need to summarize accurately. Secondary sources provide analysis, and you will be asked to evaluate the passage.

Last Updated on October 19, 2025.