Subjects · Leaving Cert History
Leaving Cert History: Documents-based question
How often Documents-based question comes up on the History papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Quick ones on Documents-based question.
- Secondary source
- Primary source
- Tertiary source
- Precedent
- Paraphrase
- Provenance
- Propaganda
- Chronology
- Corroboration
Show the answers
(a) Primary source
(b) Provenance
(c) Propaganda
Higher Level
Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Ireland Topic 2 (DBQ) |
| 2025 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2024 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2023 | Ireland Topic 5 (DBQ) |
| 2022 | Ireland Topic 5 (DBQ) |
| 2021 | Europe Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2019 | Ireland Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2018 | Ireland Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2017 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2016 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Documents-based question questions
Documents-based question, 2 marks
The people a source was written for are its…
- Provenance
- Bias
- Audience
Show the answer
Audience
Knowing the audience helps explain a source's tone and content. A speech to supporters may differ from one aimed at opponents.
Documents-based question, 2 marks
Deliberately leaving important facts out of a source is a form of bias by…
- Corroboration
- Omission
- Exaggeration
Show the answer
Omission
Leaving out facts can give a misleading picture without saying anything false. It is a common form of bias.
Documents-based question, 2 marks
A newspaper editorial mainly gives…
- The paper's own opinion
- Neutral facts only
- Official statistics
Show the answer
The paper's own opinion
An editorial gives the newspaper's view on an issue. It is useful evidence of opinion but less reliable for facts.
Ordinary Level
Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Ireland Topic 2 (DBQ) |
| 2025 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2024 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2023 | Ireland Topic 5 (DBQ) |
| 2022 | Ireland Topic 5 (DBQ) |
| 2021 | Europe Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2019 | Ireland Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2018 | Ireland Topic 6 (DBQ) |
| 2017 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
| 2016 | Europe Topic 3 (DBQ) |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Documents-based question questions
Documents-based question, 2 marks
What does DBQ stand for in the Leaving Certificate History exam?
- Detailed Background Question
- Document Briefing Question
- Documents-Based Question
Show the answer
Documents-Based Question
The DBQ is based on a documents topic that is announced in advance, so you can study the background before the exam.
Documents-based question, 3 marks
What is a primary source?
- Any source found in a library
- A source created at the time of the event
- An account written much later by a historian
Show the answer
A source created at the time of the event
Letters, photographs, speeches, diaries and newspapers from the time are primary sources. They bring you closest to the event itself.
Documents-based question, 3 marks
What is a secondary source?
- An account written later by someone who did not witness the event
- A source written at the time by someone who saw the event
- A source kept in a national archive and not yet published
Show the answer
An account written later by someone who did not witness the event
Textbooks, biographies and documentaries are secondary sources. They interpret the evidence rather than provide it first hand.