THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA

Why did the United States target Hiroshima?

• It was an important military location.

• It was where the Japanese kept their prisoners of war.

• It was the capital of Japan.

• It was the easiest city for the U.S. to reach.

The bomb...

• was less powerful than expected.

• did not destroy the hospital.

• was incredibly destructive.

• was meant to only destroy a bridge.

Why did Japan eventually surrender?

• The bombing of Hiroshima killed many civilians.

• Japan didn't think it could survive more nuclear bombs.

• Japan realized that the long-term effects of the bomb would be serious.

• More people died in the bombing of Nagasaki than Hiroshima.

Which of the following was NOT a long-term effect of the bombing?

• Civilians developed illnesses from radiation.

• Civilians affected by the bombing couldn't have children.

• People who survived the bombing struggled mentally.

• People affected by the bomb were treated differently.

The United States' bombing of Japan is controversial because…

• the war was already over.

• atomic weapons were not legal at the time.

• Japan never recovered from the bombings.

• people question whether the bomb was necessary.

PART A: Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

• While the act of bombing Japan was severe, it was a necessary decision to bring the war to an end.

• The atomic bombs ended the United States' war with Japan, but their use was and continues to be controversial.

• Atomic bombs are no longer used in war because of the wide-spread damage inflicted on Japan by the United States.

• The United States has acknowledged that the use of atomic weapons on Japan caused more harm than necessary.

PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• "This event was one of the most important factors in Japan's surrender to American forces six days later and the end of the war." ( Paragraph 1)

• "The radius of total destruction was about 1 mile, but heat and force caused fires to spread over another 4.4 miles in every direction." ( Paragraph 5)

• "Nuclear scientists in 1945 were just beginning to fully understand the dangers of radiation, and it was unclear how much it would affect the people and environment in the coming years." ( Paragraph 7)

• "Nuclear scientists in 1945 were just beginning to fully understand the dangers of radiation, and it was unclear how much it would affect the people and environment in the coming years." ( Paragraph 7)

Which sentence describes the short-term and long-term effects of the bombing of Hiroshima?

• The short-term effects of the bomb resulted in death and bodily injuries, while long-term effects involved mental and social problems.

• The short-term effects of the bomb were mostly severe burns, while long-term effects resulted in physical deformities.

• The short-term effects of the bomb were anxiety and depression, while long-term effects were illnesses passed on to later generations.

• The short-term effects of the bomb were radiation poisoning, while long term effects were physical and mental disabilities.

How does the author describe the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima in the text?

• They describe it as a weapon that should never be used.

• They stress that it was the only way to end the war.

• They portray it as a very important weapon in the war.

• They describe it as a poorly understood weapon.