Radium Girls Article Questions

A historical scene featuring Radium Girls at work in a bright, vintage setting, showing the contrast between their optimism and the dangers of radium exposure, with elements representing justice and health reform.

Uncovering the Story of the Radium Girls

Test your knowledge about the Radium Girls and their fight for justice in the dangerous radium industry. This quiz covers key aspects of their story, including the science of radium, the struggles faced by these women, and their legacy in worker’s rights.

Learn about the dangers of radium exposure
Understand the historical context of the Radium Girls
Explore the impact of their story on labor laws in the U.S.

10 Questions2 MinutesCreated by CaringHistory101

5. What were some of the symptoms Mollie Maggia and other workers at the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation suffered?

All correct: ulcers, tooth/jaw removal, bleeding, death

6. How did the radium industry react to studies claiming/proving the dangers of radium?

All correct: refused to accept, tried to discredit, commissioned additional studies

7. Why is the legacy of the Radium Girls so important in the United States?

First time a company was held responsible for the health and safety of its employees

Led to reforms, including creation of OSHA

8. Based on this excerpt from the text, which sentence best describes the tone of the article? “Facing a downturn in business because of the growing controversy, the company finally commissioned an independent study of the matter, which concluded that the painters had died from the effects of radium exposure. Refusing to accept the report’s findings, the company commissioned additional studies that came to the opposite conclusion, and it decried the girls who had taken ill.”

A. The author trusts the radium company’s intentions.

B. The author believes the girls' accounts of negligence.

C. The author is confused by the conflicting reports on radium’s safety.

D. The author celebrates the positive uses of radium.

9. Based on this excerpt from the text, which sentence best describes the tone of the article? “The radium industry tried to discredit Martland’s findings, but the Radium Girls themselves fought back. Many knew that their days were numbered, but they wanted to do something to help their colleagues still working with the deadly substance.”

A. The author admires the Radium girls.

B. The author doubts the Radium girls.

C. The author worries about the Radium girls.

D. The author blames the Radium girls.

10. Which form of media did you find more helpful in learning the story of the Radium Girls (video or article)? Why?

Either one, just as long as you have a specific reason

Radium Girls Article Questions

Uncovering the Story of the Radium Girls

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