JFK Space Race

President Kennedy argues that the age is characterized by…

• ignorance and knowledge

• science and literature

• fear and loathing

• growth and tolerance

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How does President Kennedy describe the history of human innovation?

• All of the discoveries that humans have made in recent years have drastically improved life.

• The only important human innovations have taken place in the last 50 years.

• The pace of discovery in recent history has been extremely quick compared to the whole of recorded history

• Throughout human history, the United States has been in direct competition with the U.S.S.R.

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President Kennedy characterizes the American people as…

• a group that has always embraced innovation and who will embrace space exploration.

• A highly fearful group of people who should do everything to prevent the U.S.S.R from reaching space.

• a group of people that has often been reluctant to face the unknown.

• a group that is very prone to taking large risks without fully evaluating the potential negative impacts.

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Why is it so important for the United States to make early strides in space?

• Because the U.S. is running out of resources and is hoping to find more in space.

• Because the U.S. is looking to expand and conquer space before anyone else can

• Because the U.S. will decide if space and its science will become a force for good or bad

• Because the U.S. will decide how space will be used in warfare.

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The decision to go to the moon…

• is only the first step in the space program's goals within the decade.

• came from a challenge issue by the USSR; otherwise, American would not go.

• is a practical one, as the moon is the closest orbiting body and easiest to travel to.

• reflects the American drive to overcome difficult challenges.

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How does President Kennedy describe America's recent work in the field of space exploration?

• He explains how far the U.S. has come in space science and exploration.

• He argues that America has made insufficient progress in recent years.

• He argues that the Soviet Union has more experienced scientists and thus have made greater progress.

• He worries that the Soviets are so far ahead of America and it will be nearly impossible for America to catch up.

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The cost of President Kennedy's space program…

• is to great and cannot be bared by the American people.

• has increased threefold because of its importance in the President's eyes and the jobs it creates.

• has actually decreased in American taxes because of the jobs it creates.

• is not very expensive when one considers the guaranteed benefits it will bring America in the near future.

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President Kennedy promises…

• that they will go to the moon within the year.

• that there is more to be found in space than on Mt. Everest.

• That Rice University will take part in the space program.

• That America will reach space within the decade.

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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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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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