Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Prologue-Part 1

Reading Check

1. Who figures out that uranium fission can form the basis for an atomic bomb?

2. Who sends a letter to President Roosevelt warning that Germany is trying to make an atom bomb?

3. What event gets the US into World War II?

4. What is the code name for Oppenheimer’s project to build an atom bomb?

5. Whom does Norwegian anti-Nazi resistance fighter Knut Haukelid try to kidnap?

6. What US agency frustrates Soviet attempts to steal US atomic bomb plans?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What makes Robert Oppenheimer eager to help the American atomic bomb project?

2. Why does Harry Gold decide to smuggle American industrial secrets to the Soviets?

3. Why does the Soviet Union decide to steal atomic bomb plans from the US?

Paired Resource

“Adolph Hitler’s Rise to Power”

• This article from the National WWII Museum outlines the causes and events surrounding the Nazi takeover of Germany prior to World War II.
• Provides background on why the US and Britain felt a great urgency about designing an atomic bomb
• Relates to the theme The Race to Build a Bomb
• How did Hitler’s rise to power affect the US decision to pursue the atomic bomb project?