WW2 SATs Reading Practice

Name:

Date:

📖 Reading Text

The Blitz

During World War 2, from September 1940 to May 1941, German aircraft bombed British cities almost every night. This period became known as 'the Blitz'. London was the main target, but cities like Birmingham, Liverpool, and Coventry were also heavily attacked.

People had to take shelter wherever they could find it. Many families spent their nights in Underground stations, which were deep enough to protect them from the bombs falling above. Others built Anderson shelters in their gardens - small metal structures that could hold about six people. Children often slept on the cold, hard platforms of tube stations, using their coats as blankets.

Despite the constant danger, people showed remarkable courage. Shops and schools tried to stay open during the day. Firefighters worked tirelessly to put out the blazes caused by incendiary bombs. The government encouraged everyone to 'Keep Calm and Carry On'.

📝 Part 1: Retrieval Questions

1. How long did the Blitz last?

2. Name three cities that were bombed during the Blitz.

3. What were Anderson shelters made from?

Wood

Metal

Brick

Concrete

4. According to the text, what did the government encourage people to do?

🧠 Part 2: Inference and Analysis

5. Why do you think Underground stations were popular places to shelter? Use evidence from the text.

6. What does the phrase "remarkable courage" suggest about how people behaved during the Blitz?

7. The text says children "used their coats as blankets". What does this tell us about conditions in the Underground stations?

They were warm and comfortable

They were cold and uncomfortable

They had proper beds

They were only for adults

8. Challenge: Explain how the author shows that life was difficult during the Blitz, but people tried to continue as normally as possible. Give two examples from the text.