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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 6, "On the Balcony".

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the astronauts' wives has been previously divorced--a matter of public record that is not reported in the Life article?
(a) Gordon Cooper.
(b) Deke Slayton.
(c) Gus Grissom.
(d) Wally Schirra.

2. Why do the pilots report to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?
(a) For medical testing.
(b) For flight protocol training.
(c) For launch preparation.
(d) For psychological and stress testing.

3. Why does Janet Conrad support her husband's decision to join the astronaut program?
(a) She wants her husband to be a famous astronaut.
(b) She wants to move out of the desert.
(c) She thinks it will be safer than flying high-performance jet fighters.
(d) She thinks it will vault his career to the top.

4. What is the top speed attained during the October 14th flight?
(a) Mach 0.96.
(b) Mach 0.80.
(c) Mach 1.10.
(d) Mach 1.05.

5. While NASA is introducing and promoting Project Mercury, what is the Air Force trying to promote?
(a) The superior hand-to-hand fighting skills of the pilots.
(b) Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier.
(c) Their new recruiting practices.
(d) The high number of kills in the Korean conflict.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Ted Whelan die?

2. How many planes does a pilot have to shoot down in combat to be considered an "ace"?

3. What is focused on as being the pilots' best qualification for their selection to the Project Mercury astronaut program at the press conference?

4. Which of the astronauts had separated from his wife, but reconciles with her after the psychological interviews at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base because he thinks it will improve his chances for astronaut selection?

5. How much time passes after the press conference before the astronauts are though of as national heroes?

(see the answer key)

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