The War of the Worlds Broadcast

What event caused a nationwide panic on October 30, 1938?

• The release of the novel "War of the Worlds"

• Orson Welles' broadcast of "War of the Worlds"

• A real Martian invasion of Earth

• A dance music performance on the radio

What was the initial reaction of the public to the "War of the Worlds" broadcast?

• They recognized it as a fictional story

• They were amused and entertained

• They panicked thinking it was a real invasion

• They ignored the broadcast completely

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Where did the large meteor supposedly crash in the "War of the Worlds" broadcast?

• Grovers Mills, New Jersey

• Springfield, Illinois

• Roswell, New Mexico

• Grovers Mill, New York

What event caused panic among the American public as described in the text?

• A) A real Martian invasion

• B) A radio play about a Martian invasion

• C) A television broadcast about an alien sighting

• D) A national emergency drill

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How did Orson Welles respond when news of the real-life panic reached the CBS studio?

• A) He apologized on air for the confusion

• B) He went on air as himself to remind listeners it was just fiction

• C) He confirmed the events as true to increase the drama

• D) He shut down the broadcast immediately

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What was the outcome for Orson Welles after the controversy surrounding "War of the Worlds"?

• A) His career was ruined

• B) He was banned from radio broadcasting

• C) He landed a contract with a Hollywood studio

• D) He retired from public life

Use the information in the article to identify which events were fiction and which were real.

• New York was destroyed

• both

• People panicked

• reality

• Orson Welles said it was fiction

• fiction

Do you find this story plausible? Why or why not? Use evidence from "Welles Scares a Nation" to support your response. 

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Use the information in the article to determine which events were fiction and which were real.

• Several martian spacecrafts landed in US

• both

• People tried to flee

• reality

• People believed it was the end of world

• fiction

What were the consequences of airing this drama on the radio? Explain your answering using evidence from "Welles Scares A Nation" to support your response. 

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