Text Evidence
“Attack at Sea”
February/March 2016
Core Skills Workout–HL
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Find the Evidence
Directions: Read each question below carefully. Some will ask you to select two or three pieces of text
evidence—or details in the story—to support a statement. Others will ask you to respond in your own words,
supporting your ideas with text.
1. The captain of the Lusitania ignored information that the ship could be attacked. Circle the letters of
TWO pieces of text evidence that describe this information.
a. “A few days before the Lusitania left New York, the German embassy in Washington, D.C., had sent a
warning to Americans: Any ships sailing near England would be attacked.”
b. “New weapons were causing death and destruction like the world had never seen before.”
c. “In the United States, most people didn’t want to get involved in Europe’s problems.”
d. “Those first years of the 1900s were exciting. To many, it seemed like humans could do anything.”
e. “Captain William Turner had received notices about U-boat sightings from the British Navy throughout
the voyage.”
f. “The first two days at sea were cold and dreary.”
2. In your own words, explain why the Lusitania was a symbol of progress. Use details from the text.
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3. Circle the letters of THREE pieces of text evidence that best demonstrate why passengers on the
Lusitania believed they would be safe on the ship.
a. “The Lusitania had been carrying many tons of war supplies for Germany’s enemies.”
b. “Because the Lusitania was not a military ship, few passengers worried.”
c. “ The captain of the German U-boat U-20 was a bright and well-respected man named Walther
Schwieger.”
d. “If any passengers were nervous, however, crew members were quick to calm their jitters.”
e. “ In first class, wealthy passengers stayed in spacious cabins and dined in classy restaurants . . .”
f. “It was too fast. Nothing could catch it.”
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© 2016 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.
Text Evidence
Core Skills Workout–HL
“Attack at Sea”
February/March 2016
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ________________
Find the Evidence, p. 2
4. In your own words, explain how the Hook family survived the sinking of the Lusitania. Use details
from the text.
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5. You can infer that World War I was one of the bloodiest wars ever fought. Choose THREE pieces of
text evidence that support this inference.
a. “New discoveries in science and technology had made life safer, more exciting, and more connected.”
b. “. . . 9 million people had died—nearly the population of New York City today.”
c. “New weapons were causing death and destruction like the world had never seen before.”
d. “In 1918, Germany finally surrendered.”
e. “It took only 18 minutes for the Lusitania to sink.”
f. “Thousands of soldiers were being killed every month by poison gases and rapid-fire machine guns.”
6. From the article, you can infer that the Hook family was close-knit and devoted to one another. Use
text evidence to explain why you can make this inference.
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7. The sinking of the Lusitania is described as a “turning point” that influenced the United States to enter
World War I. Use text evidence to explain why.
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© 2016 Scholastic Inc. Teachers may make copies of this page to distribute to their students.