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. In which branch of government does Robert believe rank often plays a role?
(a) Judicial.
(b) Legislative.
(c) Executive.
(d) Congressional.

2. How far was the original line of interception for the blockade?
(a) 750 miles.
(b) 500 miles.
(c) 8000 miles.
(d) 800 miles.

3. When did John F. Kennedy call his brother, Robert, to the White House to discuss the photographs taken over Cuba?
(a) September 4, 1962.
(b) October 15, 1964.
(c) October 16, 1962.
(d) October 20, 1964.

4. What did the intelligence community tell JFK on September 19th, regarding the possibility of Russians putting offensive weapons in Cuba?
(a) Russia would put offensive weapons in Cuba.
(b) Russia would put offensive weapons in Cuba, but they would not be a threat.
(c) Russia would not put offensive weapons in Cuba.
(d) Russia would use offensive weapons if in Cuba.

5. What is SAM an acronym for?
(a) Strategy against missiles.
(b) Submarine aquatic mission.
(c) Surface attack mission.
(d) Surface-to-air-missile.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who said that Russia only wanted to "give bread to Cuba in order to prevent hunger in that country" (34)?

3. Who does Robert speak to about the President's concern about missiles in Cuba on September 4th?

4. What did Robert sarcastically claim to be the advantage to being wrong in the case of military action?

5. Who, due to his role in the government, might have been the leader of Ex Comm if he had been able to attend more meetings?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was one argument against a blockade?

2. How did the US obtain their information about Russian activity in Cuba?

3. When was Congress told, and how did Congress react to the news of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

4. Which countries immediately supported the U.S. in the decision for a blockade? Why did JFK favor a blockade over a surgical air strike?

5. What did Adlai Stevenson suggest was a third option for the President to consider? Why was it rejected?

6. Why does RFK defend Adlai Stevenson's suggestion?

7. What did Ambassador Dobrynin provide as evidence that USSR would not be a threat to the United States?

8. What was one argument for a blockade?

9. What information did the Intelligence Community have about the missiles in September, but did not inform the President about at that time? Why were they not passed on?

10. What distinguishes Thirteen Days as a memoir (besides the subtitle) and not just an autobiography?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,214 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample