Apollo 13 Listening Comprehension Test

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  • ELD
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Quizzes Created: 2 | Total Attempts: 1,216
| Attempts: 985 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Mar 21, 2025
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1. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is the government agency responsible for all space exploration, is commonly known as ______________.

Explanation

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.

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About This Quiz
Apollo 13 Listening Comprehension Test - Quiz

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... see moreID 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.
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2. 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.

Explanation

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.

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3. True or False: The Apollo 13 mission was challenged with many factors including a shortage of electrical power and breathable air.

Explanation

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.

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4. True or False:  When the astronauts re-entered the atmosphere, they normally "go dark," which means they are unable to communicate, for several minutes.

Explanation

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.

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5. True or False:  Mission Control is located in space. 

Explanation

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.

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6. What caused the mission to fail? (Choose 1)

Explanation

The mission failed because a damaged coil caused an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks during a routine procedure.

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7. True or False:  Apollo 13 is only a fictional account of what could happen on a space mission.

Explanation

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.

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8. What is a NASA/military way of saying  “okay?"

Explanation

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.

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9. True or False: Ken Mattingly did not want to help the astronauts because the flight surgeon prevented him from flying on Apollo 13.

Explanation

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.

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10. Which major historical space event preceded Apollo 13 approximately a year before? (Choose 1)

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.

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11. 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.

Explanation

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12. 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)

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.

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13. True or False:  None of the astronauts who flew on Apollo 13 ever went into space again.

Explanation

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.

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14. True or False - Mt. Marilyn is a mountain range in Wyoming that is named after the wife of astronaut, Jim Lovell.

Explanation

The given statement is false. Mt. Marilyn is not a mountain range in Wyoming named after Jim Lovell's wife.

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15. Who flew on the Apollo 13 mission? (Choose all that are appropriate)

Explanation

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.

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16. What is the NASA/military way of saying  “please wait a moment?”

Explanation

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.

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17. The entire mission took place over the course of how long? (Choose 1)

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.

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18. What are the names of the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and Command Module on the Apollo 13 mission? (Choose 2)

Explanation

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.

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19. True or False:  Reporters and news agencies followed the Apollo 13 mission closely from the moment they took off until they returned home safely.

Explanation

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.

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20. How does the story of Apollo 13 relate to our theme, "Striving for Success"? (Choose 3)

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.

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The ...
True or False: NASA engineers had to figure out a way to filter the...
True or False: The Apollo 13 mission was challenged with many factors...
True or False:  When the astronauts re-entered the atmosphere,...
True or False:  Mission Control is located in space. 
What caused the mission to fail? (Choose 1)
True or False:  Apollo 13 is only a fictional account of what...
What is a NASA/military way of saying  “okay?"
True or False: Ken Mattingly did not want to help the astronauts...
Which major historical space event preceded Apollo 13 approximately a...
Just before the mission launch, the astronauts were allowed to see...
One of the most famous lines from the actual Apollo 13 ...
True or False:  None of the astronauts who flew on Apollo 13 ever...
True or False - Mt. Marilyn is a mountain range in Wyoming ...
Who flew on the Apollo 13 mission? (Choose all that are appropriate)
What is the NASA/military way of saying  “please wait ...
The entire mission took place over the course of how long? (Choose 1)
What are the names of the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and Command...
True or False:  Reporters and news agencies followed the Apollo...
How does the story of Apollo 13 relate to our theme, "Striving for...
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