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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. What is Chuck Yeager's signature flying move?

2. While not logging any flying time comes to bother all seven of the astronauts, which is the astronaut who finally voices their complaint?

3. Who does NASA hire to be the astronauts' press representative?

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

5. When a pilot is in the air and looking down at the ground, what does he most often feel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Contrast flight training with astronaut training.

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

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

4. According to the author, why does every pilot sound the same and talk with a lilting, vaguely Southern-sounding drawl?

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

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

7. Describe Jane Conrad's nightmares and hallucinations?

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

9. Why do so many fighter pilots accept the Mercury mission?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When Glenn finally goes up, his flight is remarkably different from Shepard's flight, as is the resulting celebration upon Glenn's safe return.

a. List three perks Shepard received after his first flight.

b. List three perks Glenn received after his first flight.

c. How does the success of Glenn's flight change their relationship?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Throughout the book, the "pyramid" is discussed.

a. Define what the "pyramid" and how each group (Edwards' pilots vs. Mercury's astronauts) ranked on the period before Mercury is underway, during Project Mercury, and at the conclusion of the Project.

b. Identify and discuss three events that occur (both at Edwards and at NASA) to change and redefine the perception of both the pilots and the astronauts.

(see the answer keys)

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