Subjects
Grades
Determine Changes and Continuities
Concept sheet | History
Secondary
1-4
Table of contents
- Top of page
- What Is Continuity?
- What Is Change?
- What Are the Typical Tasks of This Intellectual Operation?
- 1. Indicate a fact that shows that a reality is transforming.
- 2. Indicate a fact that shows that a fact stays the same.
- 3. Show that a historical reality is transforming or is staying the same.
- Examples of a Complete Process
- Example for Cycle One
- Example for Cycle Two
- See Also
- Exercices
More than one answer may be correct in some of the examples or exercises you will see. Also, all the answers might not be listed.
What Is Continuity?
A continuity is something that barely or never changes over time. So this element stays stable throughout the period studied.
Indicate a continuity between the two images.
See solution
What Is Change?
A change is something that varies over time. Change can occur at different rates in different cases. Some changes happen quickly, while others happen more slowly.
Indicate a change between the two images.
See solution
What Are the Typical Tasks of This Intellectual Operation?
You can encounter this intellectual operation in two main forms. You could either be asked to indicate a change or a continuity in relation to a historical reality, or you could be asked to indicate whether the documents you are presented with show a change or continuity, and to justify your choice. Here are some concrete examples of tasks you might encounter.
When we talk about a historical reality that is transforming, we are talking about a change.
When we talk about a historical reality that stays the same, we are talking about continuity.
1. Indicate a fact that shows that a reality is transforming.
Using the following documents, state one change in Chris Hemsworth’s physical appearance.
See solution
Sometimes you will only have one document to rely on. In this case, you will have to determine the change using what you know.
Click on the example if you want more details.
2. Indicate a fact that shows that a fact stays the same.
Using the following documents, state one continuity in Chris Hemsworth’s physical appearance.
See solution
Sometimes you will only have one document to rely on. In this case, you will have to determine the continuity using what you know.
Click on the example if you want more details.
3. Show that a historical reality is transforming or is staying the same.
Using the following documents, indicate whether there is continuity or change in the division of the territory. Justify your answer.
Document 1
Data source: Monot, Alexandra, and collab. Atlas géopolitique. Les enjeux du monde contemporain, 2017, p. 25.
Document 2
See solution
Examples of a Complete Process
It is highly recommended that you read the concept sheet on intellectual operations to fully understand how to complete the tasks for the different intellectual operations.
The two examples below are similar to what you might see on an exam. Try to complete the task before looking at the detailed solution. This will help you to see how well you can do the intellectual operations.
The two examples below are related to concepts that you might not have seen before. If so, don’t worry, you’ll learn them when they are introduced in class.
The example for Cycle One (Secondary 1) is from the unit The Emergence of a Civilization.
The example for Cycle Two (Secondary 4) is from the unit The Formation of the Canadian Federal System (1840-1896).
Example for Cycle One
Statement: Using documents 1 and 2, identify a change in writing in Mesopotamia.
Document 1
Source: Mbzt, 2013.
Document 2
Tablet from the Palace of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, Assyria.
Source: IR Stone, Shutterstock.com
See solution
Example for Cycle Two
Statement: Using Document 1, identify a change between the first and second phases of industrialization in Quebec.
Document 1
A Hydroelectric Plant in 1932