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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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?
(a) John Glenn.
(b) Gordon Cooper.
(c) Deke Slayton.
(d) Scott Carpenter.

2. Who is in charge of testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?
(a) NASA engineers.
(b) The Secretary of the Navy.
(c) General Schwickenberg.
(d) Psychiatrists.

3. What is the name Yeager gives to his plane?
(a) Soaring Eagle.
(b) Rocketing Rickshaw.
(c) Glamorous Glynnis.
(d) Guns of Death.

4. Who originally pilots the X-1 aircraft?
(a) Pete Conrad.
(b) Jim Lovell.
(c) Slick Goodlin.
(d) Chuck Yeager.

5. Why is Pete Conrad transferred to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland?
(a) Because he is promoted to Lieutenant.
(b) Because he requested a post involving less danger.
(c) Because he has to prepare for combat missions in Korea.
(d) Because he is entering the Navy's test-pilot school.

6. 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) The high number of kills in the Korean conflict.
(c) Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier.
(d) Their new recruiting practices.

7. What record does Bob White set during one of his X-15 flights?
(a) The new longest flight duration record.
(b) The new altitude record.
(c) The new distance record.
(d) The new speed record.

8. What is Jim Lovell's nickname?
(a) Ace.
(b) Scooby.
(c) Ears.
(d) Shaky.

9. Why should Yeager be grounded and not allowed to fly the test flight to break the sound barrier on October 14th?
(a) He has the flu.
(b) He has two broken ribs.
(c) His wife is having a baby.
(d) He has been out drinking the night before.

10. In what year does the story begin?
(a) 1948.
(b) 1955.
(c) 1967.
(d) 1960.

11. When Pete receives his top-secret orders, what is the project he is being asked to volunteer for?
(a) The Mercury Project.
(b) The X-1 Project.
(c) The Moon Project.
(d) The Saturn Project.

12. What is the unofficial tradition at Cape Canaveral?
(a) No drinking is allowed.
(b) The pilots fly themselves to the Cape.
(c) The pilots work around the clock so they can get back to Langley.
(d) No wives are allowed.

13. Why are the wives calling each other at the beginning of the story?
(a) They are planning a surprise party for the pilots.
(b) They are trying to figure out who's husband was killed.
(c) They are angry over a new testing policy for the pilots.
(d) They are sharing news of a new baby.

14. What do the engineers see as the most difficult, challenging, and pioneering part of the project?
(a) The courage necessary to fly in the capsule.
(b) The flight itself.
(c) The technology.
(d) The flying capsule.

15. How many fighter jocks volunteer for the top-secret civilian program?
(a) 37.
(b) 56.
(c) 29.
(d) 12.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Gus Grissom awarded for his actions during combat in Korea?

2. What does every fighter jock also think of himself as?

3. While most fighter pilots revel in driving fast sports cars, John Glenn does not. What car does he drive?

4. Complete this flying theorem: "There are no accidents and no fatal flaws in the machines..."

5. Who is known as the "king of the test fighter pilots"?

(see the answer keys)

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