Apollo 13 Listening Comprehension Test
This is a test based on the movie and associated with the California English Language Development Listening standard - Thestudent will listen attentively to stories/information and identify key detailsand concepts using both verbal and non-verbal responses.
If you are taking this test for Mrs. West's class, please put your student ID in with your last name & period:
Example - 123456WEST6
This indicates a student with the student ID # of 123456, last name of West in period 6 took this test.
- 1.
What are the names of the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and Command Module on the Apollo 13 mission? (Choose 2)
- A.
Aquarius
- B.
Odyssey
- C.
Olympiad
- D.
Apollo
- E.
Genesis
Correct Answer(s)
A. Aquarius
B. OdysseyExplanation
The Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and Command Module on the Apollo 13 mission were named Aquarius and Odyssey respectively. These names were chosen to represent the adventurous and exploratory nature of the mission. Aquarius symbolizes the water element, which is associated with exploration and discovery, while Odyssey represents a long and eventful journey.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which major historical space event preceded Apollo 13 approximately a year before? (Choose 1)
- A.
Gene Kranz manned the Lunar Excursion Module in the spring of 1970
- B.
Ken Mattingly flew on the Apollo 12 mission in 1963.
- C.
Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969.
- D.
Jim Swigert was unable to fly on the mission because he got the measles.
- E.
Jim Haise walked on the moon in 1970.
Correct Answer
C. Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969.Explanation
The major historical space event that preceded Apollo 13 approximately a year before was Neil Armstrong walking on the moon in 1969. This event, known as the Apollo 11 mission, marked the first time that humans set foot on the lunar surface. It was a significant achievement in space exploration and paved the way for future missions, including Apollo 13.Rate this question:
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- 3.
How does the story of Apollo 13 relate to our theme, "Striving for Success"? (Choose 3)
- A.
Over a thousand people worked to bring the astronauts home safely.
- B.
As Gene Krantz, the head of mission control, said, this was NASA's "finest moment".
- C.
The LEM was able to land on the moon, even though the command module was not.
- D.
Few people were killed in the explosion in space.
- E.
Apollo 13 was called a "successful failure" because they did not complete their mission, yet the astronauts all made it home safely.
Correct Answer(s)
A. Over a thousand people worked to bring the astronauts home safely.
B. As Gene Krantz, the head of mission control, said, this was NASA's "finest moment".
E. Apollo 13 was called a "successful failure" because they did not complete their mission, yet the astronauts all made it home safely.Explanation
The story of Apollo 13 relates to the theme "Striving for Success" because over a thousand people worked together to bring the astronauts home safely, demonstrating the importance of teamwork and perseverance in achieving success. Additionally, Gene Krantz, the head of mission control, referred to this mission as NASA's "finest moment," highlighting the determination and dedication of the individuals involved. Furthermore, Apollo 13 is considered a "successful failure" because although they did not complete their mission to land on the moon, the fact that all the astronauts made it home safely showcases their ability to overcome challenges and achieve success in the face of adversity.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is the government agency responsible for all space exploration, is commonly known as ______________.
Correct Answer(s)
NASAExplanation
NASA is the commonly used acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is the government agency that is responsible for space exploration. The use of the acronym NASA is widely recognized and understood by the general public, making it the correct answer to the question.Rate this question:
- 5.
True or False: The Apollo 13 mission was challenged with many factors including a shortage of electrical power and breathable air.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true. The Apollo 13 mission faced various challenges, including a shortage of electrical power and breathable air. During the mission, an oxygen tank exploded, causing a significant loss of power and oxygen supply. The crew had to rely on backup systems and work together with ground control to find solutions and ensure their safe return to Earth. These challenges made the Apollo 13 mission one of the most notable and dramatic events in space exploration history.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What is a NASA/military way of saying “okay?"
Correct Answer
RogerExplanation
In the context of NASA and the military, "Roger" is a way of saying "okay" or acknowledging a message. It is derived from the phonetic alphabet, where "R" stands for "Roger." This term is used to indicate that a message has been understood and will be complied with. It is a concise and efficient way of confirming communication and ensuring clarity in high-pressure situations.Rate this question:
- 7.
What is the NASA/military way of saying “please wait a moment?”
Correct Answer
StandbyExplanation
The correct answer is "Standby." In the NASA/military context, "standby" is used to indicate that someone should wait for a moment or be prepared for further instructions. It is a concise and direct way of requesting patience or alertness.Rate this question:
- 8.
True or False: Mission Control is located in space.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Mission Control is not located in space. It is a ground-based facility where teams of experts monitor and control space missions. Mission Control is responsible for communicating with astronauts, monitoring spacecraft systems, and making critical decisions to ensure the success and safety of the mission.Rate this question:
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- 9.
One of the most famous lines from the actual Apollo 13 mission as shown in the movie was "Houston, we've got a problem." This was said shortly following the system breakdown when multiple master alarms were going off and the astronauts began to lose oxygen. Now, people use that phrase to mean what? (Choose 1)
- A.
This phrase is used to indicate that we should go to Houston to visit the NASA mission control to know what it was really like then.
- B.
It is used to say that NASA is experiencing another major problem with a ship.
- C.
It is said when bad weather is in the forecast.
- D.
People say this when they want to communicate that there is some major problem occurring.
- E.
It is said when a person wants to watch a movie.
Correct Answer
D. People say this when they want to communicate that there is some major problem occurring.Explanation
The phrase "Houston, we've got a problem" is now commonly used to communicate that there is a major problem occurring. It has become a popular saying to indicate that something significant has gone wrong or that a challenging situation has arisen. The phrase originated from the actual Apollo 13 mission when the astronauts encountered a system breakdown and were in a critical situation.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The entire mission took place over the course of how long? (Choose 1)
- A.
A month.
- B.
2 weeks.
- C.
Less than a week.
- D.
Approximately one day.
- E.
Only a few hours.
Correct Answer
C. Less than a week.Explanation
The correct answer is "Less than a week." This means that the entire mission took place in a duration of time that is shorter than seven days.Rate this question:
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- 11.
True or False - Mt. Marilyn is a mountain range in Wyoming that is named after the wife of astronaut, Jim Lovell.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The given statement is false. Mt. Marilyn is not a mountain range in Wyoming named after Jim Lovell's wife.Rate this question:
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- 12.
What caused the mission to fail? (Choose 1)
- A.
A damaged coil caused an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks during a routine procedure.
- B.
One of the astronauts, Fred Haise, because very ill.
- C.
Their heating unit was damaged and they were too cold.
- D.
They ran out of oxygen in the Command Module.
- E.
The LEM was unable to support all three astronauts.
Correct Answer
A. A damaged coil caused an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks during a routine procedure.Explanation
The mission failed because a damaged coil caused an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks during a routine procedure.Rate this question:
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- 13.
True or False: Apollo 13 is only a fictional account of what could happen on a space mission.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
The statement "Apollo 13 is only a fictional account of what could happen on a space mission" is false. Apollo 13 is not a fictional account, but rather a real-life event that took place in 1970. It was the seventh crewed mission in NASA's Apollo space program and was intended to be the third mission to land on the Moon. However, an oxygen tank explosion onboard the spacecraft led to a critical situation that jeopardized the lives of the crew. The mission became a famous example of NASA's ingenuity and teamwork in successfully bringing the astronauts back to Earth safely.Rate this question:
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- 14.
True or False: Ken Mattingly did not want to help the astronauts because the flight surgeon prevented him from flying on Apollo 13.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Ken Mattingly did want to help the astronauts despite the flight surgeon preventing him from flying on Apollo 13. This is evident from the fact that he played a crucial role in the mission by assisting the ground team in solving the technical issues faced by the astronauts during their journey. Mattingly's dedication and commitment to the mission demonstrate that he was willing to contribute in any way possible, even if he couldn't physically be on the spacecraft.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Who flew on the Apollo 13 mission? (Choose all that are appropriate)
- A.
Jim Lovell
- B.
Tom Hanks
- C.
Fred Haise
- D.
Jack Swigert
- E.
Ken Mattingly
Correct Answer(s)
A. Jim Lovell
C. Fred Haise
D. Jack SwigertExplanation
Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert flew on the Apollo 13 mission. Tom Hanks and Ken Mattingly are not correct answers as they are not astronauts and did not participate in the mission.Rate this question:
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- 16.
True or False: When the astronauts re-entered the atmosphere, they normally "go dark," which means they are unable to communicate, for several minutes.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
When astronauts re-enter the atmosphere, they experience a period known as "communications blackout" or "going dark." During this time, the spacecraft is surrounded by ionized gases that interfere with radio signals, making it impossible to establish communication with the ground. This blackout can last for several minutes, leaving the astronauts temporarily unable to communicate with mission control or anyone else on Earth. Therefore, the statement that astronauts "go dark" and are unable to communicate for several minutes when re-entering the atmosphere is true.Rate this question:
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- 17.
True or False: NASA engineers had to figure out a way to filter the air out so they wouldn't suffer from carbon dioxide poisoning.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
NASA engineers had to figure out a way to filter the air out to avoid carbon dioxide poisoning. This suggests that the statement is true.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Just before the mission launch, the astronauts were allowed to see their families from across a road but not close enough to touch. Choose the response that best explains this.
- A.
NASA was afraid the astronauts might change their mind about going on such a dangerous mission if they could spend too much time with their families.
- B.
NASA did not want to risk the astronauts getting sick.
- C.
There was a chance of something illegal being smuggled onto the rocket and put the mission at risk.
- D.
One of the astronauts did not have any family to speak of and NASA did not want him to feel bad.
Correct Answer
B. NASA did not want to risk the astronauts getting sick. -
- 19.
True or False: None of the astronauts who flew on Apollo 13 ever went into space again.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true. None of the astronauts who flew on Apollo 13, namely James Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert, ever went into space again. After the Apollo 13 mission, which encountered a critical oxygen tank failure and had to be aborted, the crew did not have another opportunity to fly in space. Lovell had previously flown on Apollo 8 and Apollo 11, but Apollo 13 was the last mission for all three astronauts.Rate this question:
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- 20.
True or False: Reporters and news agencies followed the Apollo 13 mission closely from the moment they took off until they returned home safely.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Reporters and news agencies did not follow the Apollo 13 mission closely from the moment they took off until they returned home safely. This is because the mission encountered a critical failure in its oxygen tank, which led to the cancellation of the lunar landing and a focus on the safe return of the astronauts. The media coverage of the mission was extensive during the crisis, but it diminished as the mission became primarily focused on survival and reentry. Therefore, the statement is false.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 18, 2008Quiz Created by
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