Make use of the article to answer the questions.

Washington (CNN) -- Establishment Republicans, backed by business-friendly outside groups, launched a counter-offensive this year against conservative Senate challengers after two election cycles of hard-right candidates winning GOP primaries but losing in November. 

Republicans need to flip six seats this year to win back the majority and don't want the same scenario to play out again. The tea party's scorecard this year is far different than in 2010 and 2012, when it knocked off several establishment-backed candidates. 

Short-lived tea party victories 

It's too early to say if the party's over, but as Stuart Rothenberg of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report wrote earlier this month, "it's already clear that the pragmatist conservatives have stopped the anti-establishment's electoral momentum." 

Midterm users guide: 15 things to know 

March 4 

• Firebrand Republican Rep. Steve Stockman launched a last-minute bid against Texas Sen. John Cornyn, but he never seriously challenged the incumbent. Cornyn won by more than 40 points. 

May 6 

• North Carolina state House Speaker Thom Tillis won big against his top two conservative opponents, winning enough of the vote in the primary to avoid a costly runoff that would have delayed his general election face-off against Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, one of the nation's most vulnerable incumbents. 

May 13 

• The primary in solidly red Nebraska might have been the high-water mark for the tea party in this cycle. Ben Sasse, a former Bush administration official who was endorsed by high-profile conservatives like Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin as well as the Club for Growth and other well-funded conservative groups, beat his two primary opponents and will likely coast to victory in November. 

1. How many seats do Republicans need for the majority?
2. which kind of Republicans launched a campaign against challengers?
3. What did the Tea Party do in 2010 and 2012?
4. Which man is referred to as a "Firebrand?"
5. who did he run against?
6. in which state were they running?
7. did he win?
8. How much did Stockman lose by?
9. Who is speaker of North Carolina
10. did he win or lose his primary?
11. did he have a run off election?
12. who will he run against in the main election?
13. is this her first time running for office?
14. What president did Ben Sasse work under?
15. Who endorsed him?
16. anyone else?
17. who?
18. any groups?
19. is he expected to win his contest?

Numbered answers:
1. Six
2. Establishment
3. Knocked off several establishment-backed candidates.
4. Steve Stockman
5. John Cornyn
6. Texas
7. Yes, Cornyn did
8. More than 40 points
9. Thom Tillis
10. He won
11. No
12. Kay Hagan
13. No
14. Bush
15. Ted Cruz
16. Yes
17. Sarah Palin
18. Yes
19. Yes