In 1958, NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) began its first project, named “Project Mercury.” Here are some notes passed between two men involved in the project. Each sentence is missing one or more words. When you see (1), go to question 1 and choose the correct answer. Do this for all of the numbers. When you are finished, check back here for your score. Click on the underlined words for a definition.
October 4, 1958
4:30 pm
Dear David,
I am very excited about Project Mercury, which (1) in three days. (2) a suit to the press conference? (3) up. I think formal clothing is appropriate for this historic event. (4) a wonderful first project for NASA. What is our first move (5)?
Sincerely,
Max Windsor
October 6, 1958
9:00 am
Dear Max,
(6) a suit. My wife has already chosen one out for me. (7) your family to the press conference? I think (8). My son is very excited about sending people into space; he wants to be an astronaut someday.
Our first move (9) to choose the astronauts for the project. Our three goals (10) the following:
1. To put a man into orbit around Earth
2. To study that man’s performance and reaction to the harsh conditions in space
3. To recover the man and the spacecraft safely
I want to hear back from you, and (11) to dinner with the rest of the staff tonight?
Sincerely,
David Manley
October 6, 1958
11:30 am
Dear David,
Those objectives look good. I have some questions, though. We (12) how a human being functions in weightlessness, but (13) to be the astronauts? What qualifications will they need?
And yes, I am going to dinner tonight; thanks for inviting me.
Sincerely,
Max Windsor
October 6, 1958
3:00 pm
Dear Max,
We (14) the qualifications for the astronauts at dinner tonight. Here’s what I’m thinking about, though. As you know very well, the conditions in space are similar to the conditions test pilots experience. (15) through a list of talented test pilots. (16) personally interview all of them, since there are too many. Instead, (17) together a committee who will test them. (18) written tests and tough interviews. Also, our team (19) the pilots to mental tests, like x-rays and pressure suit tests.
(20) you tonight, and then again on the 7th.
Sincerely,
David Manley
Written by Caitlin Myles