To answer this question correctly, students must see both the strengths and weaknesses of a painting as evidence of what doctors wore in the 17th century. For Question 1, students must explain that the painting is useful in that it is based on a first-hand account of what doctors wore when treating the plague in the 17th century. For Question 2, students must explain how the fact that the painting is an artist’s rendering from over two centuries after the account was recorded might make it less useful as evidence.
Level: Proficient
Question 1
Student explains that the painting might be useful evidence in that it was based on an account from someone who witnessed the plague in the 17th century.
Question 2
Student explains that the painting is less useful because it was an artist's interpretation created over two centuries after the Manget account was recorded.
Level: Emergent
Question 1
Student sees that the painting provides evidence of what doctors wore, but the student makes assumptions about the painting that go beyond the warrants of the evidence or does not fully explain how the painting could provide useful evidence.
Question 2
Student sees that the painting has limitations but provides an incomplete explanation of why its usefulness is limited.
Level: Basic
Question 1
Student does not provide a relevant explanation for how the painting could be used as evidence.
Question 2
Student does not identify or explain the limitations of the painting as evidence.
