Grade 7 · English Language Arts · Unit 5 of 10
Source Check
Credibility, bias and citing
What your child practises
Researching responsibly: judging whether a source is trustworthy and current, noticing bias, separating fact from opinion, and giving credit through quotation, paraphrase and citation.
BC Curriculum learning standard: Strategies and processes: evaluating the credibility, bias and purpose of sources; fact and opinion; primary and secondary sources; citation, paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
You're researching the latest advice on bike helmet safety. Which detail makes a source less useful for this topic?
- It was published 25 years ago.
- It comes from a recognized safety organization.
- It names the author and their expertise.
- It lists the sources it used.
Show answer
It was published 25 years ago.
Hint: For “latest advice,” how recent the source is matters a lot.
Question 2
Which question is LEAST helpful when judging whether a website is credible?
- When was it published or last updated?
- Is the website's design colourful?
- Does it cite sources that I can check?
- Who wrote it, and what are their qualifications?
Show answer
Is the website's design colourful?
Hint: Credibility is about who, when and what evidence, not how the page looks.
Question 3
Which sentence from a news story shows bias?
- The park will include a playground and a garden.
- Construction on the park will begin in May.
- The council approved $2 million for a new park.
- The reckless council wasted money on a useless new park.
Show answer
The reckless council wasted money on a useless new park.
Hint: Biased writing uses judging words like “reckless” and “useless” instead of just reporting.
Question 4
You're writing a report on how bees make honey. Which source is most likely to be credible?
- A comment under an online video
- A post from a stranger on social media
- An advertisement for a honey brand
- An article from a university's biology department
Show answer
An article from a university's biology department
Hint: Credible sources come from experts who have no reason to mislead you.
Question 5
Sort each statement: fact or opinion?
Sort into: 📋 Fact · 💭 Opinion
- ❄️Winter is the best season.
- 📅A week has seven days.
- 🕷️Spiders have eight legs.
- 🐱Cats make better pets than dogs.
- 🌧️Rainy days are boring.
- 🌊Canada has three ocean coastlines.
Show answer
📋 Fact: A week has seven days., Spiders have eight legs., Canada has three ocean coastlines. · 💭 Opinion: Winter is the best season., Cats make better pets than dogs., Rainy days are boring.
Hint: A fact can be checked and proven. An opinion is what someone thinks or feels, and people can disagree.
Question 6
An article praising a new running shoe was written by the company that makes it. What is its main purpose most likely?
- To persuade readers to buy the shoe
- To tell an entertaining story
- To explain the history of running
- To compare all running shoes fairly
Show answer
To persuade readers to buy the shoe
Hint: Think about what the company wants readers to do after reading.