ED DWIGHT: THE 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN ASTRONAUT TRAINEE

1.Ed Dwight was the first African American to do what?

• A. be trained as an astronaut

• B. be trained as a doctor

• C. work as a sculptor and artist

• D. be trained as a pilot

2.How does the author of this text describe Dwight’s time training as an astronaut?

• A. It was fun because he was working with cool people.

• B. It was funny because he was always playing jokes on other astronauts.

• C. It was challenging because he faced racial discrimination.

• D. It was relaxing because there was not much work to do.

3.Dwight turned his passion for art into a successful career.

What evidence from the passage supports this conclusion?

• A. “He had always loved making art. He began sculpting and has now made over 18,000 sculptures...Many of his sculptures are now on public display throughout the United States.”

• B. “He went through numerous tests and flew experimental aircraft carriers. He watched as NASA chose astronauts from the Air Force, leaving him out, but he kept training.”

• C. “Then, President John F. Kennedy’s administration selected him out of many people to train as the first-ever African American astronaut. He instantly became a household name; everyone knew who Ed Dwight was!” 

• D. “Ed Dwight was born on September 9, 1933. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953 to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. He earned his engineering degree from Arizona State University.” 

4.How might you describe Dwight’s approach to his goals throughout his life?

• A. He always had his mind set on one very specific goal.

• B. He got upset and gave up entirely after he didn’t achieve his goal.

• C. He never had a specific goal in mind so he never got upset.

• D. He adjusted his goals as he experienced different setbacks.

5.What is the main idea of this passage?

• A. John F. Kennedy was the president of the United States in the 1960s, and many people were sad when he was killed.

• B. Ed Dwight worked hard to train as an astronaut despite the racial discrimination that he faced, before leaving the Air Force and becoming an artist.

• C. The Air Force is one branch of the United States armed forces that specializes in training pilots.

• D. Ed Dwight worked with cutting-edge technology during his time training as an astronaut at NASA.

6.WHAT DOES BARRIER MEAN?

• A. to teach skills or actions

• B. the act of treating some people unfairly because of prejudice

• C. to spend time doing; work at; practice

• D. anything that gets in the way of action or progress

7.WHAT DOES DISCRIMINATION MEAN?

• A. to teach skills or actions

• B. the act of treating some people unfairly because of prejudice

• C. to spend time doing; work at; practice

• D. anything that gets in the way of action or progress

8.WHAT DOES PURSUE MEAN?

• A. to teach skills or actions

• B. the act of treating some people unfairly because of prejudice

• C. to spend time doing; work at; practice

• D. anything that gets in the way of action or progress

9.WHAT DOES TRAIN MEAN?

• A. to teach skills or actions

• B. the act of treating some people unfairly because of prejudice

• C. to spend time doing; work at; practice

• D. anything that gets in the way of action or progress

10.The civil rights movement fought to bring an end to ____________ in this country.

• A. BARRIER

• B. PURSUE

• C. TRAIN

• D. DISCRIMINATION