JFK's "Race to Space" Speech

PART A: Which statement best summarizes a central idea of the speech?

• America was in a "Space Race" with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, which prompted all of the United States' effort to reach the moon.

• The U.S. should and will be the first to reach the moon, thus securing its place at the forefront of the era of space exploration.

• President Kennedy single-handedly backed the space program, against the wishes of many.

• At the time, human history was at its peak of scientific discovery and technological progress, with little left to learn.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

PART B: Which TWO of the following quotes best support the answer to Part A?

• "…the vast stretches of the unknown and the unanswered and the unfinished still far outstrip our collective comprehension." (paragraph 5)

• "…some would have us stay where we are a little longer to rest, to wait." (paragraph 9)

• "Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first" (paragraph 13)

• "Whether it [space] will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war." (paragraph 16)

• "…they [satellites launch by the United States] were far more sophisticated and supplied far more knowledge to the people of the world than those of the Soviet Union." (paragraph 19)

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

How does President Kennedy frame the history of progress in this speech?

• He condenses the past 50,000 years of human history to showcase the rapidity of recent technological progress

• He condenses the past 50,000 years of human history to highlight America's major part in recent progress and industrialization.

• He compares the shortness of known human history to the lengthiness of pre-history, effectively showing us that the future is a wide expanse to be found in space.

• He compares the shortness of known human history to the lengthiness of pre-history, effectively showing us that progress as we know it has just started.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

As used in paragraph 14, what does the word "pre-eminence" mean?

• High rank, importance, or superiority

• Self-importance

• First place

• A state of lofty behavior

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

According to the text, what impact did the space race have on the American economy?

• The space race had a detrimental effect on the American economy.

• In general, the space race generated a number of new jobs and salaries, thus creating a positive effect on the American economy.

• The large budget of space exploration and technological development proved to be too much for the American economy.

• None of the above.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

In this speech, what is the relationship between space, peace, and war? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Use the sentence frame below if you need it!

The relationship between space, peace, and war is____________________. I think this because the text says, "______________________". This means/This supports my point because______________________________.

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CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

According to JFK, what does the space race represent to the American public? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Use the sentence frame below if you need it!

The space race represents____________________ to the American public because ______________. I think this because the text says, "______________________". This means/This supports my point because______________________________.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3