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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. In every flight class, what ratio of new trainees do not earn their wings?

2. Why do the pilots report to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base?

3. Which of the astronauts had separated from his wife, but reconciles with her after the psychological interviews at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base because he thinks it will improve his chances for astronaut selection?

4. At the insistence of the astronauts, what feature is finally designed into the capsule?

5. While NASA is introducing and promoting Project Mercury, what is the Air Force trying to promote?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why don't the wives ever discuss the dangers their husbands face each day?

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

10. What are John Glenn and Alan Shepard in serious disagreement about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the early days of the space program, while the Americans were blowing up more rockets than they were successfully launching, an international conference was held that was attended by both the Soviets and the Americans.

a. What did the United States learn as a result of attending the conference?

b. What fears were assuaged for the United States by the international conference?

c. Had the Cold War not been ongoing, could the United States and Russian programs worked together to enhance both programs? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

The book is entitled "The Right Stuff".

a. In your own words, describe what is meant by the right stuff.

b. How did the pilots know if they (or the other pilots around them) had "it" or not?

c. Are there various levels of having "it"? Support your answer with an example from the book.

Essay Topic 3

The Original Seven astronauts underwent medical and psychological testing as part of their selection process.

a. Describe the three tests conducted on the astronauts at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. What information were the psychologists trying to gain from these tests?

b. Why did Pete Conrad rebel as a result of all of the tests? Give one example of his rebellious streak from the Lovelace tests. Give one example of his rebellious streak from the Wright-Patterson tests.

(see the answer keys)

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