Hidden Figures | Chapters 15-20

Multiple Choice

What was the Soviet Union's scientific achievement that sparked concern in the United States in 1957?

• Launching the first satellite, Sputnik

• Launching Sputnik II and III

• Advancing their space technology

• Outpacing the U.S. in the Space Race

Multiple Choice

What was the primary goal of the National Defense Education Act initiated by President Eisenhower?

• To improve racial integration in schools

• To cultivate intellectual talent for space exploration

• To increase funding for black schools in the South

• To promote Soviet-American cooperation in space

Multiple Choice

What was the reaction of the black community in the U.S. to the events in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957?

• They supported the integration efforts at Central High School.

• They linked America's inadequacy in space to the treatment of black students.

• They were indifferent to the school integration issues.

• They protested the use of U.S. Army troops to escort the black students.

Multiple Choice

What was Christine Mann's academic performance in high school?

• She was the class valedictorian.

• She demonstrated a knack for numbers and analytics.

• She attended one of the best black high schools in the country.

• All of the above.

Multiple Choice

Where did Christine Mann go after graduating from high school?

• Hampton Institute in Virginia

• Central High School in Little Rock

• Allen School in Asheville, North Carolina

• Worked for the U.S. space program

Multiple Choice

What was the overall message conveyed in Chapter 15 regarding the relationship between racial segregation and America's technological progress in the Space Race?

• Racial segregation had no impact on America's technological progress.

• Racial segregation was a distraction that hindered America's technological progress.

• Racial segregation was a necessary sacrifice for America's technological progress.

• Racial segregation and technological progress were unrelated issues.

Multiple Choice

What was the primary reaction of Americans, including Katherine Johnson, to the launch of Sputnik in 1957?

• Excitement and pride

• Indifference and apathy

• Consternation and admiration

• Anger and resentment

Multiple Choice

How did the Soviet advances in space technology affect the work at Langley's Flight Research Division?

• It had no impact, as the division was focused on other projects.

• It caused the division to be shut down due to lack of funding.

• It breathed new life into the division and its rocket development efforts.

• It led to the division being merged with the Pilotless Aircraft Research Division.

Multiple Choice

What was the impact of the Space Act of 1958 on the space effort in the United States?

• It created a single, high-profile agency to lead the space program - NASA.

• It led to increased competition and rivalry between various government agencies.

• It resulted in the closure of the Langley Research Center and its relocation.

• It had no significant impact on the space program, as the efforts continued as before.

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the space program under President Eisenhower?

• Expansion of human knowledge

• National defense and global prestige

• Fulfilling a longing to explore space

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What was Katherine Johnson's role in the space program at Langley?

• She attended the lectures and editorial meetings.

• She prepared charts and equations for the lectures.

• She was responsible for writing the final reports.

• She was the director of the Aerospace Mechanics Division.

Multiple Choice

How did Katherine Johnson respond to being excluded from the editorial meetings?

• She accepted the decision and did not challenge it.

• She complained to her superiors about the unfair policy.

• She persisted in asking to attend the meetings.

• She left Langley and pursued a different career.

Multiple Choice

What was the outcome of Katherine Johnson's persistence in attending the editorial meetings?

• She was permanently barred from the meetings.

• She was allowed to attend the meetings occasionally.

• She was eventually allowed to attend the meetings.

• The meetings were open to both men and women.

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of NASA's "Project Mercury"?

• To launch a manned spacecraft into orbit around the Earth

• To investigate the effects of space travel on the human body

• To safely recover both the spacecraft and the astronaut

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Which division at Langley Research Center was Katherine Johnson assigned to?

• Flight Research Division

• Pilotless Aircraft Research Division

• Space Task Group

• Aerospace Mechanics Division

Multiple Choice

How did Johnson's personal life change during this time period?

• She got married to a U.S. Army officer and Korean War veteran

• She changed her name

• She was promoted to head the Aerospace Mechanics Division

• She had two ba

Multiple Choice

What was the "epicenter" of the new American space agency, NASA?

• The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)

• The Langley Aeronautical Laboratory

• The Langley Research Center

• The Space Task Group

Multiple Choice

What was significant about Levi, Mary Jackson's son, competing in the Soap Box Derby race?

• He was the first black child to ever enter the race.

• He was able to overcome the belief that black children could not win.

• He proved that black children were just as capable as white children.

• He received special permission to compete that other black children did not.

Multiple Choice

How did the "sit-in" protests at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina impact the civil rights movement?

• They inspired similar protests to spread to other states.

• They immediately led to the desegregation of the Woolworth's store.

• They were the first time white and black students protested together.

• They directly resulted in the closing of the West Area Computing facility.

Multiple Choice

How did the closing of the West Area Computing facility impact Dorothy Vaughan and other "West computers"?

• They were forced to find new jobs outside of Langley.

• They were able to transition into more advanced computing roles.

• They were required to work alongside former "East computer" employees.

• They lost their positions and were no longer able to work at Langley.

Multiple Choice

How did the success of Alan Shepherd's suborbital flight impact NASA's efforts?

• It led to President Kennedy's pledge to land a man on the Moon.

• It caused NASA to slow down their efforts and take a more cautious approach.

• It led to the immediate launch of the first orbital spaceflight.

• It had no significant impact on NASA's efforts.