Research & Citing Sources — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
I found this fact on a random blog so it must be true.
Corrected: I should verify this fact using a reliable source such as an encyclopedia or a .edu website.
The corrected sentence is: "I should verify this fact using a reliable source such as an encyclopedia or a .edu website.". The original sentence "I found this fact on a random blog so it must be true." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Wikipedia says dogs live 15 years so I will copy that into my report.
Corrected: I will check the information from Wikipedia against a published reference book before using it in my report.
The corrected sentence is: "I will check the information from Wikipedia against a published reference book before using it in my report.". The original sentence "Wikipedia says dogs live 15 years so I will copy that into my report." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
This website has no author or date so it is probably fine to use.
Corrected: This website has no author or date, so it is not a reliable source for my research project.
The corrected sentence is: "This website has no author or date, so it is not a reliable source for my research project.". The original sentence "This website has no author or date so it is probably fine to use." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A source ending in .edu usually belongs to a school or university.
University websites (.edu) are maintained by academic institutions and go through review processes, making them generally more reliable than personal blogs.
2. A reliable source has a known author, a clear date, and facts that can be checked.
Reliable sources are accurate, trustworthy, and fact-based. Checking who wrote a source and where it was published helps determine reliability.
3. Websites ending in .gov are run by government agencies and are usually trustworthy.
.gov websites are maintained by official government agencies and typically provide accurate, up-to-date factual information.
4. Before trusting a website, check whether the author is an expert on the topic.
Knowing who wrote a source — their credentials and expertise — is a key step in evaluating whether a source is trustworthy and authoritative.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Name two signs that a website might NOT be a reliable source for a school report.
Sample answer: Two signs are that the website has no author listed and there is no date showing when the information was published or last updated.
Reliable sources have identifiable, credentialed authors; are up to date; are free of obvious bias; and cite their own evidence. Missing any of these signals lower reliability.
2. Why is an encyclopedia a more reliable source than a personal blog?
Sample answer: An encyclopedia is written and reviewed by experts who check the facts, while a personal blog may contain one person's opinions without any fact-checking.
Encyclopedias go through editorial review processes by subject matter experts. Blogs lack this oversight, making their accuracy variable and harder to verify.