| Question 17-20: Read and choose the correct answer |
THE STORY OF SADAKO SASAKI AND THE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES
Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima on August 6th 1945. The blast threw
her out of the window and although she survived, she and her mother were caught in the nuclear fallout. Her
grandmother went back to the house to get something and was never seen again.
Years went by and Sadako led to a normal childhood up until November 1954, when aged 11, she was diagnosed
with leukemia and told that she only had a year to live. Leukemia was highly prevalent at that time along with
several other cancers, and it became evident that this was largely due to the effects of the bombing nine years before
In the hospital, Sadako’s roommate told her of an old Japanese legend, which says that of you fold 1000 paper
cranes, you will be granted one wish from the gods.
Some versions of the story say that Sadako made 644 origami cranes before dying peacefully in her sleep, and her
friends made the remaining 356 in her honor. However, an exhibit at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum said
she had achieved her goal in August 1955 and continued to fold more cranes right up until her death.
Either way, Sadako Sasaki’s condition sadly continued to deteriorate and she died on October 25th 1995 at the age of
12. She was buried with all 1000 paper cranes.
Following Sadako’s death, her friends and schoolmates raised funds to build a memorial to her and all the other
children who had died as a result of the atomic bomb. Statues of Sadako holding cranes can be found in both
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Seattle Peace Park, the former of which bears the following words: “This is our
cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world”.
The story of Sadako Sasaki and the thousand paper cranes has become known internationally as a reminder of the
effects of war on the innocent. It is told in many schools on the anniversary of the effects of war on the innocent. It is
told in many schools on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing and people all over Japan celebrate August 6th as
an annual peace day.
Everyday, children bring origami cranes to Sadako’s statue in memory of her and all the other innocent children who
have died as a result of war. The crane has long been a symbol of hope and longevity, but in Sadako’s memory, it
has also become as a symbol of peace.
17. How old was Sadako Sasaki when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
18. What is the content of the old Japanese legend?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
19. What did Sadako’s friends and schoolmates do after her death?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
20. What does the crane represent?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
17. How old was Sadako Sasaki when the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima?
……………………she was 2 years old hen the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima …………………………………………………………………………………………
18. What is the content of the old Japanese legend?
……………………………The old japanese legend says that of you fold 1000 paper
cranes, you will be granted one wish from the gods………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
19. What did Sadako’s friends and schoolmates do after her death?
…………………they raised funds to build a memorial to her and all the other
children who had died as a result of the atomic bomb
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
20. What does the crane represent?
………………………………hope and longevity…………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
