To answer this question correctly, students must see both the strengths and weaknesses of Nelson's interview as evidence of the conditions facing slaves at the end of the Civil War. For Question 1, students must explain that the interview is useful because Nelson's stories were informed by his parents, who were slaves at the end of the war. For Question 2, students must explain that Nelson's account is second-hand information offered long after the time period in question, making it less useful as evidence.
Level: Proficient
Question 1
Student explains that the interview is useful evidence in that it consists of stories told by people who experienced the circumstances in question.
Question 2
Student explains that the interview is less useful as evidence because it contains second-hand information recounted long after the period in question, which might distort one's understanding of what conditions were really like.
Level: Emergent
Question 1
Student sees that the interview provides some evidence of the conditions facing slaves at the end of the war but makes assumptions about the interview that go beyond the warrants of the evidence or does not fully explain how the interview could provide useful evidence.
Question 2
Student sees that the interview has limitations but provides an incomplete explanation about why the interview is less useful as evidence.
Level: Basic
Question 1
Student does not provide a relevant explanation for how the interview could be useful as evidence.
Question 2
Student does not identify or explain the limitations of the interview as evidence.
