View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the capsule splashes down and Shepard is detaching all of the hoses so that he can leave the capsule, what sound does he hear?
(a) Cheers over his radio.
(b) The President's voice.
(c) Water seeping into the capsule.
(d) Electrical circuits popping.

2. Based on the magazine article that is run on Glenn, Grissom, and Shepard, what do these three become known as?
(a) The Lucky Ones.
(b) The Golden Boys.
(c) The First Three.
(d) The Chosen.

3. On what day does Shepard's Mercury capsule launch?
(a) May 12.
(b) May 10.
(c) May 25.
(d) May 5.

4. What is the pervading feeling as the launch approaches?
(a) The Russians already beat us. Why bother?
(b) This time it will work.
(c) We can do this.
(d) Our boys always botch it.

5. Which astronaut is scheduled for the next space flight?
(a) John Glenn.
(b) Gus Grissom.
(c) Deke Slayton.
(d) Alan Shepard.

Short Answer Questions

1. The first "manned" space flight by Russia does not have a man aboard. What living thing do the Russians send into space?

2. John Glenn's flight and his taking on "the mighty Soviet Integral" causes comparisons with what Biblical story?

3. After countless delays and several launch attempts, on what day is the manned flight finally launched?

4. Who is James Webb?

5. When the men return from their trip to the White House, what question is on the mind of each of their wives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the general assumption regarding why the capsule's hatch blew before the helicopter hooks on?

2. What does Grissom say to the second group of astronauts to keep them in their place?

3. When Bob Gilruth calls the astronauts together for an emergency meeting just before Christmas, what is the purpose of the meeting?

4. What irks the Original Seven wives about the Next Nine wives?

5. Why does the next group of astronauts selected contain fourteen trainees instead of the intended eleven trainees?

6. During the delay before the launch, Shepard found his biggest issue to be his need to use the restroom. However, no device for urination was designed into the capsule. Why not?

7. Why is Betty Grissom so upset at the treatment of Gus after his flight?

8. During an international space conference attended by the Russians to publicize their successes in space, what reassuring fact does the United States learn?

9. What is the effect on Shepard of having so many pre-flight simulations?

10. The evening before the second Mercury flight, Joe Walker runs into Gus Grissom. Walker tries to get Grissom's goat by insisting that the X-15 program will soon pass the Mercury program and that he and the other Edwards pilots are the "real" pilots. Why do these remarks not bother Grissom at all?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 831 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample