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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The pilots hold Konakai seances. What is Konakai?
(a) A hotel near Cape Canaveral.
(b) The title of one of Glenn's philosophical books.
(c) The bar the pilots gathered at after work.
(d) A Japanese warrior tradition.

2. Why do the volunteers report to Lovelace?
(a) To observe rocket testing.
(b) For flight training.
(c) For medical testing.
(d) For psychological testing.

3. Why do the astronauts spend so much time in the procedures trainer?
(a) They are required to stay in the trainer until they successfully complete all of the tasks.
(b) They are being photographed as part of the Life story.
(c) They are just passing time until they can be cleared for take off.
(d) They simulate various flight scenarios and what to do in the case of emergency.

4. What is the top speed attained during the October 14th flight?
(a) Mach 1.10.
(b) Mach 0.80.
(c) Mach 0.96.
(d) Mach 1.05.

5. How much is NASA's press representative paid per year?
(a) $37,500.
(b) $50,000.
(c) $0.
(d) $125,000.

Short Answer Questions

1. The first flight into space will turn one of the seven astronauts into what?

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

3. What record does Bob White set during one of his X-15 flights?

4. Who is Bob White?

5. Who is the only Marine in the group of seven astronauts?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. In detailing the experiences of the astronauts, the author states that "everywhere they went in their travels people stopped what they were doing and gave them a certain look of awe and sympathy." Awe is easily understood. Why do they look at them with sympathy?

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

4. Why do many pilots choose to try to pilot a wounded aircraft to the ground rather than eject?

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

6. What is written in Conrad's file as a reason he isn't selected for the Mercury program?

7. As the number of killed pilots rises, how does that affect the mood of Pete Conrad?

8. What is the procedures trainer?

9. What does Chuck Yeager become convinced of as he pilots the X-1 at near-Mach I speeds?

10. Name three tests conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on the pilots.

(see the answer keys)

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