The Right Stuff Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 174 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.

The Right Stuff Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

This set of Lesson Plans consists of approximately 174 pages of tests, essay questions, lessons, and other teaching materials.
Buy The Right Stuff Lesson Plans
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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. From the pilots' point of view, what is the only thing lacking during their astronaut training?

2. In every flight class, what ratio of new trainees do not earn their wings?

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

4. What is Chuck Yeager's signature flying move?

5. When asked by a reporter how many of the astronauts expect to return from space, how many of them raise their hands?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is written in Conrad's file as a reason he isn't selected for the Mercury program?

2. According to the author, why does every pilot sound the same and talk with a lilting, vaguely Southern-sounding drawl?

3. Contrast flight training with astronaut training.

4. Why does Gus Grissom find the selection of Scott Carpenter as an astronaut odd?

5. As the number of killed pilots rises, how does that affect the mood of Pete Conrad?

6. Why do the pilots come to hate Lovelace?

7. Why don't the wives ever discuss the dangers their husbands face each day?

8. In detailing the experiences of the astronauts, the author states that "everywhere they went in their travels people stopped what they were doing and gave them a certain look of awe and sympathy." Awe is easily understood. Why do they look at them with sympathy?

9. Why does the Army fire Slick Goodlin and give the X-1 piloting assignment to Yeager?

10. In 1952 at Edwards Air Force Base, 62 Air Force pilots died in the course of a 36-week training session. In 11 weeks of combat training at Nellis Air Force Base, 22 pilot trainees were killed. In Pete Conrad's own class in Florida, 10 out of 20 had been killed. In the opinion of the pilots, these rates of death are considered "extraordinary," yet they really are not. Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At various times during the lifespan of Project Mercury, there are opposing interests as to the policies and priorities of NASA and the astronauts. Describe the struggle for leadership between the following men.

a. John Kennedy and James Webb?

b. John Glenn and John Kennedy?

c. James Webb and John Glenn?

Essay Topic 2

During the period in which Project Mercury was being launched, the Cold War was in full swing.

a. How did the Cold War affect Project Mercury and its projected time frame?

b. How did the Soviet's successes in space affect and/or change NASA's projects?

c. What fears did the Soviet successes raise?

Essay Topic 3

To say that the Original Seven astronauts were looked up to would be a gross understatement; they were adored and admired national heroes. Yet, in spite of their fame, they only had one magazine, Life, that told their stories.

a. What were the reasons for the press restrictions?

b. Why was Life magazine selected?

c. In today's world, would heroes agree to only one magazine with exclusive coverage? Why or why not?

d. If the intense hype surrounding the astronauts back then surrounded them in today's environment, identify three differences in how the astronauts would have been "marketed" to the nation.

(see the answer keys)

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