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The Right Stuff Trivia Quiz

This is a Tom Wolfe best seller about the space race, aeronautics and the issues surrounding test pilots and astronauts. The quiz will ask about some of the basic facts outlined in his book.

A multiple-choice quiz by lout62001. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
lout62001

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
364,721

Updated
Aug 27 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
692

Last 3 plays: Guest 74 (4/10), Guest 174 (10/10), 173Kraut (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which early American space program is the only one covered in the book? Hint

Gemini

Skylab

Apollo

Mercury

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Question 2 of 10

2. The book depicts a group of seven astronauts who were involved in the pilotage of the first manned spaceflights. Which of the following was not in that group? Hint

Neil Armstrong

Gus Grissom

John Glenn

Alan Shepard

3. The story distinguishes between astronauts and test pilots, outlining their suitability to space module flight. Which famous test pilot had the credentials to become an astronaut but was never selected? Hint

George Bulman

Alan Poindexter

Chuck Yeager

Alan Bean

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Question 4 of 10

4. The book makes mention of political reasons for launching astronauts into space on missions that were only for promotional purposes, as the spacecraft were not initially flown but rather guided by ground control. Which American president insisted on the use of pilots? Hint

Eisenhower

Johnson

Kennedy

Truman

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Question 5 of 10

5. For the most part, the book emphasizes the space race as opposed to the exploration of space. Which country was competing with the USA for space dominance? Hint

France

Soviet Union

Germany

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Question 6 of 10

6. The storyline also explains the use of non-humans in the development of unmanned spacecraft launches. What type of mammal did NASA first send up to space? Hint

Dog

Rat

Cat

Monkey

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Question 7 of 10

7. The book discusses the second "Project Mercury" flight, known as "Liberty Bell 7", and the controversy which arose during splashdown. NASA officials initially blamed the astronaut for causing the capsule to sink in the Atlantic Ocean. Who was that astronaut? Hint

Gordon Cooper

Alan Shepard

Gus Grissom

Scott Carpenter

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Question 8 of 10

8. The title of the book "The Right Stuff" is in reference to the attributes of the test pilots and astronauts during the 1940s and 1950s. What was the "right stuff" that these individuals all shared? Hint

Bravery

Belligerence

Cowardice

Frenzy

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Question 9 of 10

9. Was there a movie version of "The Right Stuff"?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Did Tom Wolfe ever receive any literary awards for "The Right Stuff"?

Yes

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 09 2024 : Guest 74: 4/10
Nov 09 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Oct 31 2024 : 173Kraut: 9/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which early American space program is the only one covered in the book?

Answer: Mercury

"Project Mercury" lasted between 1959-1963 and featured "The Mercury Seven", a group of seven astronauts. It was the personal aspects of the astronauts' lives that was chiefly depicted, as opposed to the technicalities of the missions themselves.

2. The book depicts a group of seven astronauts who were involved in the pilotage of the first manned spaceflights. Which of the following was not in that group?

Answer: Neil Armstrong

The group included Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, Gordon Cooper and Deke Slayton. Neil Armstrong did not make a space flight until he commanded Gemini 8 in 1966 and was the first man on the moon in 1969.

Answer: Chuck Yeager

Yeager was not selected as an astronaut because he did not have the necessary education, even though his experience and training could have qualified him for the job. He indicated that flying in a capsule would not have the same effect as a fighter jet.

Answer: Eisenhower

The first Mercury spacecraft was launched in 1959 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, and the entire flight was controlled from the ground by tracking stations. The astronauts, however, had the option of overriding the ground command in the event of an emergency.

5. For the most part, the book emphasizes the space race as opposed to the exploration of space. Which country was competing with the USA for space dominance?

Answer: Soviet Union

"Project Mercury" was in response to efforts by the Soviet Union to put the first man in space. The Soviets won that race when Yuri Gagarin reached space in April of 1961, a month ahead of Alan Shepard. About a year later, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth.

6. The storyline also explains the use of non-humans in the development of unmanned spacecraft launches. What type of mammal did NASA first send up to space?

Answer: Monkey

Albert II was a rhesus monkey first launched into space in 1948 by NASA. Unfortunately, the monkey died upon re-entry to earth.

Answer: Gus Grissom

Upon splashdown in 1961 the hatch bolts blew off, causing the capsule to flood, which nearly killed Grissom. The capsule sank with its data lost, but the astronaut was rescued. Years later, Grissom was exonerated and the spacecraft was eventually recovered in 1999.

Answer: Bravery

The crux of Wolfe's book is the capture of the feelings and attitudes that these people shared, in particular that of Chuck Yeager. It was this silent code of bravery that motivated the men to fly in dangerous rockets and planes.

9. Was there a movie version of "The Right Stuff"?

Answer: Yes

In 1983 a film was made about Wolfe's book, directed by Phillip Kaufman. It included a blockbuster cast, some of whom included Sam Shepard, Dennis Quaid, Ed Harris and Jeff Goldblum. Wolfe did not like the movie as it had many deviations from his book.

10. Did Tom Wolfe ever receive any literary awards for "The Right Stuff"?

Answer: Yes

In 1980, Tom Wolfe received the National Book Award for Nonfiction and also the Columbia Journalism Award. He was also the runner up for the National Book Critics Circle Award the previous year.

Source: Author lout62001

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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