Who was the first woman to successfully fly solo around the world?

Introduction / Context:
Many people know the name Amelia Earhart, but fewer remember which aviator actually became the first woman to successfully complete a solo flight around the world. This question checks whether you can distinguish between an attempt that ended tragically and a later, successful record. Such subtle distinctions are common in competitive exams that test careful reading of history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the first woman to successfully fly solo around the world.
• Options include Geraldine Jerrie Mock, Amelia Earhart, Jennifer Murray, None of the above, and Valentina Tereshkova.
• We assume awareness that Earhart disappeared during her round the world attempt.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to differentiate between first attempts and successful completions. Amelia Earhart attempted a world flight in 1937 but vanished over the Pacific. The first woman who actually completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe was Geraldine Jerrie Mock, an American pilot, in 1964. Jennifer Murray also flew around the world but in a helicopter and at a later date. Valentina Tereshkova is the first woman in space, not in round the world aviation. Therefore, the correct answer is Geraldine Jerrie Mock.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the word successfully in the question, which is crucial.Step 2: Recall that Amelia Earhart is famous for her disappearance during a world flight attempt and therefore did not complete the journey.Step 3: Remember that Geraldine Jerrie Mock completed a solo flight around the world in a single engine Cessna in 1964.Step 4: Note that Jennifer Murray later circumnavigated the globe by helicopter, but not as the first woman to do so.Step 5: Recognise that Valentina Tereshkova is associated with space travel, not with solo round the world aviation.Step 6: Therefore, Geraldine Jerrie Mock is the only option that satisfies the condition in the question.

Verification / Alternative check:

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Amelia Earhart is incorrect because, tragically, she never finished her circumnavigation attempt.Jennifer Murray is not the first; she achieved different aviation records later in time.None of the above is wrong because there is a specific known correct answer.Valentina Tereshkova is unrelated to round the world aviation records; she is known as the first woman in space.

Common Pitfalls:
The biggest pitfall is to answer Amelia Earhart simply because her name is more famous and strongly associated with pioneering women's aviation. Many exam takers ignore the word successfully and the requirement of actual completion. Always read such questions carefully and recall specific records rather than relying on fame alone.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Geraldine Jerrie Mock.