Question

Introduction to World War II
USHistory.org
2017
PART A: Which of the following identifies the central idea of the text?

A. WWII was a global war, with battlefronts in many countries, and the war had a dramatic impact.
B. While many suffered during WWII, the United States was primarily benefited by an improved economy and an increase of national morale.
C. The United States was an eager participant in WWII, as it realized that the spread of fascism would compromise their right to a democracy.
D. While WWII resulted from the unresolved conflicts of WWI, it ushered in a time of peace.
PART B: Which section from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A. "Storm clouds gathered around the world throughout the 1930s. Americans struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression. Meanwhile, fascism swept Italy and Germany." (Paragraph 1)
B. "Led by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States used its industrial power to start supporting the Allies — the democratic countries fighting against the fascist 'Axis' countries of Germany, Japan, and Italy." (Paragraph 4)
C. "Because of the increased employment opportunities, Americans who had been struggling since the Great Depression finally enjoyed a high standard of living again." (Paragraph 6)
D. "In both Europe and Asia, the Axis powers had established a firm foothold prior to American entry into the conflict. However, slowly but surely, the Allies closed in on Nazi Germany." (Paragraph 8)

Answer 1

PART A: A

PART B: D

Reason: Choice A captures the text’s main point that WWII was a global conflict with major consequences. Paragraph 8 (choice D) explicitly references fighting in both Europe and Asia and the Allied push against the Axis, which best supports that central idea.