Question

You have asked us to comment on the initial use of the new weapon. . . . [W]e recognize our obligation to our nation to use the weapons to help save American lives in the Japanese war.

The opinions of our scientific colleagues on the initial use of these weapons are not unanimous: they range from the proposal of a purely technical demonstration to that of the military application best designed to induce surrender. Those who advocate a purely technical demonstration would wish to outlaw the use of atomic weapons, and have feared that if we use the weapons now our position in future negotiations will be prejudiced. Others emphasize the opportunity of saving American lives by immediate military use, and believe that such use will improve the international prospects, in that they are more concerned with the prevention of war than with the elimination of this specific weapon. We find ourselves closer to these latter views; we can propose no technical demonstration likely to bring an end to the war; we see no acceptable alternative to direct military use.

—J. Robert Oppenheimer, June 16, 1945Which of the following statements are supported by the information in the text?

The scientists were in agreement on their position regarding the use of the bomb.

The scientists felt that saving American lives had to take priority in the war.

No scientist believed that the use of atomic weapons in warfare should be outlawed.

Most of the scientists believed using the bomb to force a surrender was the only option.

Answer 1

Only the second statement is supported.

- The scientists were in agreement on their position regarding the use of the bomb. — Not supported. The text explicitly says their opinions “are not unanimous” and describes a range of views.
- The scientists felt that saving American lives had to take priority in the war. — Supported. The passage says they “recognize our obligation … to use the weapons to help save American lives,” and others “emphasize the opportunity of saving American lives by immediate military use.”
- No scientist believed that the use of atomic weapons in warfare should be outlawed. — Not supported. The text says those favoring a purely technical demonstration “would wish to outlaw the use of atomic weapons.”
- Most of the scientists believed using the bomb to force a surrender was the only option. — Not supported. The passage notes a range of opinions and only states that “we find ourselves closer to these latter views,” not that most scientists held that position.