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WorksheetsWomen Pilots and Public Opinion - Passage
Total questions: 73
Worksheet time: 37mins
According to the passage, what was the general opinion of the newspapers about women participating in air races?
Women should be encouraged to race
Women should not participate in hazardous air races
Women are better pilots than men
Women should receive more prizes
What does the phrase "They stood firm" mean in the context of the passage?
The officials did not give in to the pressure and maintained their decision.
The officials were physically standing in one place.
The officials were confused and unsure.
The officials changed their minds after some time.
Who believed that air races were suitable only for men and not for women?
The mayor of El Paso, Texas
Amelia Earhart
Charles Lindbergh
The president of the United States
What did the Knoxville Journal suggest about Marvel's death?
Her death was too great a sacrifice for any honors or prizes.
Her death was celebrated as a heroic victory.
Her death was considered a tragic accident.
Her death was ignored by the public.
According to the passage, what was the cause of Marvel's crash being investigated?
The cause of Marvel's crash was being investigated because claims that planes of several entrants had been tampered with were under investigation.
The cause of Marvel's crash was being investigated due to weather conditions.
The cause of Marvel's crash was being investigated because Marvel was inexperienced.
The cause of Marvel's crash was being investigated because of engine failure.
Who sent a message to the racers to 'Fly with all precaution, and consider winning secondary to finishing at Cleveland'?
Cliff Henderson
Roscoe Turner
Amelia Earhart
Jimmy Doolittle
What did Louise Thaden say was the only thing she worried about during the race?
Whether some sort of mechanical trouble would force her to drop behind.
Whether the weather would suddenly change.
If she would lose her way during the race.
If her competitors would overtake her.
How did Amelia Earhart feel about Marvel's death, according to the passage?
She felt terrible about Marvel's death, but knew they had to finish the race.
She was indifferent to Marvel's death and focused only on winning.
She was happy that Marvel was no longer a competitor.
She did not know about Marvel's death until after the race.
Who painted 'Mexico or Bust' on the side of her plane after her Mexican detour?
Pancho Barnes
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Harriet Quimby
On Day Four of the derby, who was in first place?
Louise Thaden
Amelia Earhart
Pancho Barnes
Blanche Noyes
What did Pancho Barnes gain on Louise Thaden during the race?
Thirty minutes
Ten minutes
Five minutes
Twenty minutes
Who are the two individuals shown in the photograph with helmet hair and unpowdered noses on proud display?
Ruth Elder and Pancho
Louise Thaden and Gladys O'Donnell
City police and soldiers
Movie star and a pilot
As the pilots landed in El Paso, who was the first one surrounded by fans?
Louise Thaden
Gladys O'Donnell
Ruth Elder
Pancho
Fill in the blank: She was now just seconds behind ______ and moving up fast.
Pancho
Miguel
Sofia
Carlos
According to the passage, what did the newspaper artist complain about regarding Gladys O'Donnell and Louise Thaden?
They didn't sign autographs
They didn't powder their nose or comb their hair
They refused to race
They were late to the event
What rumor did the Yuma Morning Sun print about the air race?
That a powerful gambling ring was seeking to make the race a 'sure thing.'
That the race would be cancelled due to weather.
That all pilots were inexperienced.
That the planes were sabotaged.
Fill in the blank: Null guessed that Marvel Crosson must have panicked and ______ out of the plane at the last second.
jumped
slept
laughed
sang
What was Pete Hill's theory about Marvel Crosson's crash?
He was convinced that Marvel had suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning.
He believed Marvel's plane was sabotaged.
He thought Marvel lost control due to bad weather.
He suspected engine failure was the cause.
What was the jury's ruling regarding Marvel Crosson's death?
Accidental death
Homicide
Suicide
Natural causes
What advice did Pancho Barnes offer that was described as 'very un-Pancho-like'?
'It is much better to be one of the oldest, than one of the bravest who have passed on.'
'Always play it safe.'
'Never give up.'
'Take risks.'
Fill in the blank based on the passage: The pilots stayed in El Paso and many of the women crossed the border to ________, Mexico, where they enjoyed a delicious dinner with no overcooked chicken, no speeches—and no Prohibition.
Juárez
Cancún
Monterrey
Tijuana
According to the passage, what did most of the flyers refuse to indulge in during their dinner in Juárez?
Liquors
Desserts
Appetizers
Soft drinks
Why did Louise Thaden buy a jug of her favorite cocktail and bring it back to the airfield?
She brought it back for the mechanics at the airfield.
She wanted to celebrate her flight with her friends.
She was thirsty after a long journey.
She planned to use it as fuel for her plane.
What concern did the newspapers raise about women participating in the trans-continental race, according to the passage?
They questioned whether women could endure the physical and mental strain of the race.
They worried that women would receive unfair advantages.
They believed women would dominate the competition.
They thought women would not follow the rules.
Who was the loudest critic of the race, and what was his main argument against women participating?
Erle Halliburton was the loudest critic. He argued that women have been dependent on men for guidance for so long that when they are put on their own resources they are handicapped.
Amelia Earhart was the loudest critic. She argued that women should not participate due to safety concerns.
Charles Lindbergh was the loudest critic. He argued that women lacked the necessary skills for the race.
Howard Hughes was the loudest critic. He argued that women were not interested in aviation.
Who was Marvel Crosson?
A reporter
A woman pilot
A race organizer
A mechanic
Why did the racers dislike Halliburton's actions?
Because Halliburton tried to use Marvel's death to get the race canceled and keep women out of the sky, which went against what Marvel had lived for.
Because Halliburton wanted to win the race at any cost, even by cheating.
Because Halliburton refused to help other racers during the competition.
Because Halliburton was disrespectful to the memory of Marvel by ignoring her achievements.
According to Louise Thaden, what was more important than life or death?
The successful completion of the derby.
Winning a medal.
Receiving public recognition.
Flying the fastest plane.
What did Ruth Elder do before taking off?
She blew a kiss to her adoring fans.
She checked the weather report.
She adjusted her goggles.
She waved to the mechanics.
Why was Day Five considered the toughest day of the derby?
Because the pilots had to fly six hundred miles with multiple stops, and it would go a long way toward determining the winner.
Because the weather was perfect and made flying too easy.
Because the pilots had to fly at night without any navigation tools.
Because the derby was cancelled on Day Five due to technical issues.
Who was gaining confidence in the cockpit of her Vega during the race?
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Harriet Quimby
Jacqueline Cochran
What mechanical problem did Pancho Barnes experience on Day Five of the race?
Her motor began misfiring and she had to patch a leaky gas line.
Her propeller broke and she had to land immediately.
Her radio failed and she lost communication with the ground crew.
Her landing gear jammed and she could not retract it.
What was the worst nightmare for a pilot flying a plane made of wood, according to the passage?
Fire in the air
Engine failure
Bird strike
Heavy turbulence
Blanche Noyes had a parachute but had never used one before.
True
False
Who was cautiously moving up the standings, exactly as planned?
Ruth Nichols
Amelia Earhart
Charles Lindbergh
Bessie Coleman
What advice did Blanche remember from her husband when she was learning to fly?
Always land at Cleveland Airport
If you ever have a fire in your ship, remember to keep it out of your face! Side-slip!
Never use the fire extinguisher
Aim for a flat patch of desert
What did Blanche do when the fire extinguisher wouldn't come out?
She gave up
She called for help
She yanked with such force that the entire extinguisher case came free, along with the screws
She jumped out of the plane
Read the passage and fill in the blank: Blanche aimed for a flat patch of ______ and straightened out at the last moment.
desert
grass
snow
water
Who tossed aside and ripped the compartment open to throw out her burning bag, beating the flames in the plane dead with her bare hands?
Ruth Nichols
Gladys O'Donnell
Blanche Noyes
Pancho Barnes
What was the main thought in Blanche Noyes's head after she stood beside her damaged plane?
I need to get on to Pecos. The clock is running.
I need to find an ambulance.
I need to repair my plane.
I need to call for help.
Fill in the blank: Ruth Nichols flew first into Pecos, with ______ seconds behind.
Gladys O'Donnell
Amelia Earhart
Louise Thaden
Bobbi Trout
Pancho Barnes made up for lost time by flying faster than anyone.
True
False
What happened when Pancho Barnes landed her plane?
She landed smoothly.
Her plane spun to a stop in a cloud of dust after hitting a parked car.
She crashed into another plane.
She was greeted by fans.
Who shouted, 'It's going to crack up!' and called for fire extinguishers and an ambulance?
Ruth Nichols
Gladys O'Donnell
Louise Thaden
Blanche Noyes
Fill in the blank: Blanche Noyes's face was coated with ______ after she landed her damaged plane.
soot
mud
oil
dust
Who got out of her plane after a fire and emergency landing?
Blanche
Amelia
Harriet
Bessie
What did the other racers think caused the fire at the El Paso airfield?
A fan
A mechanic
A still-smoldering cigarette butt
A bird
Who asked Blanche, 'How in the world did you manage to get the ship into the air again?'
Louise Thaden
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Harriet Quimby
According to the passage, what is one of the big differences in reaction between women and men pilots?
Women sometimes cry, and men usually go out and get drunk.
Women usually laugh, and men tend to get angry.
Women often celebrate, and men usually stay silent.
Women tend to ignore problems, and men usually ask for help.
Who covered the rips in her wing fabric with thick tape and stayed in the race?
Blanche Noyes
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Jacqueline Cochran
Who was first into Midland, inching closer and closer to the front?
Ruth Nichols
Amelia Earhart
Bessie Coleman
Harriet Quimby
What kind of snake did the woman in Myanmar warn Chubbie Miller about?
Cobra
Krait
Python
Viper
What did Bill point out and cry when the plane tilted and bounced?
Bird
Snake
Storm
Parachute
What type of snake entered Chubbie's cockpit?
A venomous krait
A python
A cobra
A rattlesnake
How did Chubbie get rid of the snake from the plane?
She lifted it with shaking hands and flung it over the side of the plane.
She called for help and waited for someone to remove it.
She trapped it under a seat and left it there.
She used a stick to push it out of the window.
What did Chubbie describe as 'a miniature twister'?
The swirling air that flipped her plane upside-down and tossed her into a downward spin.
A small tornado she saw from her window.
A dust devil on the runway.
A sudden gust of wind during takeoff.
Chubbie was able to use her parachute during the incident.
True
False
Who announced the conclusion of the investigation into charges of sabotage at the airfield?
Deputy District Attorney C. O. Thompson
Sheriff William H. Parker
Chief Inspector John Smith
Mayor Linda Johnson
What was the turnout at Kinsolving Field in Abilene, Texas, compared to the previous men's cross-country derby?
It was a much larger turnout.
It was a much smaller turnout.
The turnout was about the same.
There was no turnout at all.
Who was the first pilot to reach Abilene in the air race?
Ruth Nichols
Amelia Earhart
Gladys O'Donnell
Vera Dawn Walker
According to the passage, what did Louise Thaden ask for after posing for a photo?
A drink
A blanket
A meal
A map
Fill in the blank: Race rules required each plane to carry a ______ of water.
gallon
liter
quart
cup
Who received the biggest ovation of all in Abilene?
Amelia Earhart
Vera Dawn Walker
Margaret Perry
Ruth Nichols
True or False: Margaret Perry was the first pilot to reach Abilene.
True
False
What did the airport manager promise the pilots?
Free fuel
No sabotage
Extra water
A hotel room
Fill in the blank: The last leg of the brutal day was ______ miles east to Fort Worth.
150
120
200
175
Who flew low and fast over the plains, zipping past fast-moving cars and trains, past Gladys O'Donnell and Amelia Earhart?
Amelia Earhart
Gladys O'Donnell
Louise Thaden
None of the above
What did Louise Thaden recall about her position at Fort Worth?
I finished last
I oozed into first position
I crashed
I was disqualified
Fill in the blank: Police officers stretched a rope between the field and the crowd of twenty thousand. Nice idea, but it didn't hold—not when the fans saw ______ descending toward the runway.
Amelia's Vega
the mayor's helicopter
the marching band
the blimp
What did the banquet's host present to Amelia Earhart?
A gold medal
A huge cowboy hat
A trophy
A bouquet of flowers
What was served for dinner at the banquet?
Beef steak
Chicken
Fish
Pork
Gladys O'Donnell refused to eat another bite of chicken because:
she was tired of eating chicken
she was allergic to chicken
the chicken was undercooked
she became a vegetarian
Who composed an anthem for the derby that was played at the banquet?
The pilots
Two songwriters
Louise Thaden
Gladys O'Donnell
