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

2. By the end of the chapter, which one of the seven is beginning to assume the natural leadership role?

3. When Gus Grissom's wife gives birth to their first child, where is Gus?

4. As a result of his record-setting flight, where does Bob White show up?

5. What does "pushing the outside of the envelope" refer to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Gus Grissom feel that the reporter's question regarding whether or not the pilots feel they would come back from space is a stupid question?

3. Why do the astronauts not refer to themselves or the other astronauts as "astronauts"?

4. The morning after the press conference, the newspapers are full of stories about the astronauts. What do the stories highlight?

5. What is the begrudging consensus finally reached from the Konakai Séance regarding their "off hours" behavior?

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

7. Where is Muroc Field and what is is the significance of the project taking place there?

8. Name two reasons that fighter pilots hate to declare an emergency.

9. Why do Chuck Yeager's comments in Phoenix almost set off a national scandal? What happens to avoid the scandal?

10. NASA originally needs six astronauts for the Mercury program, but is going to take twelve astronauts. Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two most prominent of the seven astronauts are arguably Alan Shepard and John Glenn. The book pits the two against each other in several ways.

a. Identify and explain the points-of-view of both Shepard and Glenn regarding the off-duty behaviors of the astronauts while at the Cape. Why did their views cause dissension among the remaining astronauts? What was the role of the Konakai Séance in the resolution of their dispute? How was their dispute resolved?

b. Shepard and Glenn are both competing to be selected as the first man into space. Compare how each man prepares for selection. Contrast their reactions when the selected individual is finally named. Compare their behaviors after the selection is made.

Essay Topic 2

Identify and discuss the main political events that hastened the creation of Project Mercury.

a. What specifically occurred to speed up NASA's time frame for space travel?

b. What perceived threats resulted from these events?

c. How did the creation of Project Mercury address these perceived threats?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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