What problem arises with this recording method?

• A. The oral histories are considered more authoritative than the written records.
• B. The written records are the sole basis for rights.
• C. The oral and written records can disagree on key aspects.
• D. No attempts are made to reconcile languages.

Answer: (C)

When you record history using both oral histories and written records, you can encounter disagreements between the sources because each captures aspects the other might miss. Oral histories carry memory, interpretation, and cultural meaning from the people who lived the experience, but they rely on memory and storytelling, which can shift over time. Written records reflect the perspectives, biases, and purposes of their authors and may emphasize different details or events, sometimes omitting important context. Because these two kinds of records come from different sources with different aims, they can present conflicting accounts of dates, causes, or outcomes. The challenge is not choosing one over the other, but understanding how both perspectives contribute to a fuller picture and carefully reconciling their differences.