Final answer:
The term 'smithereens' signifies small fragments or pieces, typically resulting from destruction or a shattering force. In the context of the question, 'shelled to smithereens' suggests heavy bombardments leading to something being reduced to fragments, therefore, option D. Fragments is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term smithereens refers to very small pieces or fragments. When something is described as being shelled to smithereens, it implies that it has been heavily bombarded to the point where it has been broken up into such pieces.
This is vividly depicted in historical contexts where bombardments have led to significant destruction, and in physical contexts, such as shattering glass, where something is broken into many pieces but without any chemical change. Thus, the correct answer to the question is D. Fragments.
Examples in history and literature show structures, glass, or other objects being reduced to fragments or smithereens through acts of violence or strong impacts.