View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was one requirement of the blockade plan?
(a) All ship that enter the blockade be inspected.
(b) A promise to withdraw weapons from Berlin.
(c) That no ships could pass the blockade.
(d) A meeting with the Organization of American States.

2. How did the members of Ex Comm avoid arousing suspicion when visiting the White House at 9:15 at night?
(a) They all rode with Robert.
(b) They took the secret entrance.
(c) They arrived at different times.
(d) Not all went to the meeting.

3. On October 18th, photographs showed what disturbing new information?
(a) The missiles were complete.
(b) The Cubans were testing missiles.
(c) Atomic missiles were being directed at certain American cities.
(d) There were no missiles, it was a mistake.

4. When Robert meets with Dobrynin after the blockade is put into effect, what does Dobrynin say the ships will do?
(a) Take military action against boarders.
(b) Turn back to Russia.
(c) Continue as planned.
(d) Re-route to another country.

5. How many ships either stopped or turned back before reaching the blockade?
(a) 10.
(b) 14.
(c) 4.
(d) 25.

6. What disturbing news increased the danger of intercepting a Russian ship?
(a) The air crafts following the ships.
(b) The nuclear devices being transported were unstable.
(c) The Russian refusal to stop.
(d) A Russian submarine approached as well.

7. What happened around 10:30, October 27th, the first day of the blockade?
(a) The Russian ships stopped.
(b) The Russian ships fired upon a U-2.
(c) The Cubans shot down a plane.
(d) The Cubans overran the U.S. embassy.

8. Who does Robert speak to about the President's concern about missiles in Cuba on September 4th?
(a) The President.
(b) The Deputy Attorney General.
(c) Soviet Chairman Nikita Khrushchev.
(d) Ambassador Dobrynin.

9. What type of non-fiction is Thirteen Days?
(a) Essay.
(b) Textbook.
(c) Memoir.
(d) Biography.

10. In the section entitled, "It was now up to one single man," when did JFK hope to broadcast his plan to the nation?
(a) Sunday.
(b) Never.
(c) Tuesday.
(d) Monday.

11. What was the main reason that the President did not attend all of the Ex Comm meetings?
(a) Evasion of responsibility.
(b) To avoid arousing suspicion.
(c) Important diplomatic duties.
(d) Busy schedule.

12. While Ex Comm was making final decisions regarding their recommendations, JFK was where?
(a) New York.
(b) Washington D.C.
(c) Russia.
(d) Chicago.

13. What did Adlai Stevenson suggest that offended many members of Ex Comm?
(a) The U.S. remove weapons from other countries in exchange for Russian removal of missiles.
(b) The nuclear bombardment of Cuba.
(c) Both a blockade and an air strike.
(d) JFK should hold a summit before any action is taken.

14. What was the name of the first tanker to reach the barrier?
(a) Gagarin.
(b) Essex.
(c) Komiles.
(d) Bucharest.

15. Who said, "You are in a pretty bad fix, Mr. President" (29)?
(a) John F. Kennedy.
(b) General LeMay.
(c) General Shoup.
(d) Robert F. Kennedy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does "Ex Comm" stand for?

2. Who said, "if the Russians' response makes a military action or invasion inevitable, I want to be able to feel that we will not have to waste any days having to get ready" (47).

3. How far was the original line of interception for the blockade?

4. Who suggested that the US take military action against Cuba for America's safety, not knowing about the missiles?

5. Robert describes the conflict in Cuba as one between two atomic nations. What are the two atomic nations he refers to?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 578 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample