Quiz on the 1960 U.S. Presidential Debates

In what year did the first televised presidential debates in American history take place?

• 1960

• 1956

• 1964

• 1972

Who were the two candidates in the first televised presidential debates?

• John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon

• Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Goldwater

• Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson

• Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter

What event heightened fears about communism in the Western Hemisphere during the 1960 election?

• The launch of Sputnik

• The Cuban Missile Crisis

• The rise of Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba

• The Berlin Wall construction

What injury did Richard Nixon sustain during his campaign?

• A broken arm

• A sprained ankle

• A bashed knee

• A concussion

Where did the first televised presidential debate take place?

• New York City

• Los Angeles

• Washington, D.C.

• Chicago

What was the outcome of Nixon's injury before the debate?

• He gained weight.

• He appeared frail and underweight.

• He was unable to attend the debate.

• He fully recovered.

What was the public perception of Nixon's appearance during the debate?

• He looked energetic and healthy.

• He appeared drained and unwell.

• He seemed confident and strong.

• He looked younger than Kennedy.

What was Kennedy doing in preparation for the first of the "Great Debates"?

• Traveling across the country

• Practicing with his aides in a hotel

• Giving public speeches

• Attending a political rally

What was a significant factor in the discrepancy between radio listeners and television viewers' opinions of the debate?

• The time of the debate

• The location of the debate

• Television being a new medium

• The debate topics

What was Nixon's mistake during the debates?

• He spoke too softly

• He looked off to the side

• He wore a bright suit

• He was too aggressive