Final answer:
The arrangement of the ships at Pearl Harbor helped the Japanese in their attack by allowing their bombers and torpedo planes to target multiple ships effectively. The concentration of ships made it easier to cause significant damage with few lost Japanese aircraft. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Do you think the arrangement of the ships in Pearl Harbor helped or hindered the Japanese in their attack?' pertains to the historical event of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The correct answer, based on historical records, is that the arrangement of the ships helped the Japanese in their attack. This is because the closely grouped ships made it easier for Japanese bombers and torpedo planes to inflict major damage. The surprise and effectiveness of the attack were due in part to the concentrated positioning of the fleet, which allowed the Japanese to hit multiple targets in quick succession.
Aircraft carriers, which are vital assets in naval warfare, were not present in the harbor during the attack, because they were out on maneuvers. This unintentional absence of the carriers inadvertently saved them from destruction and would later prove to be a crucial factor in the United States' naval response in the Pacific War.
So, the answer that best fits the historical account of the attack on Pearl Harbor is option A: 'It helped because they could simply aim in a straight line as they were flying above them.'