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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 5 Sagan asks the reader to imagine that they are which of the following?
(a) An alien.
(b) An ancient person.
(c) An ant.
(d) A time traveler.

2. What role does Sagan suggest that religion has played in the development of science?
(a) Religion informs and guides scientific development.
(b) Science progressed in spite of religion.
(c) Religiously-minded individuals often become scientists.
(d) Religion has aided science in significant ways.

3. What is notable about pictures taken of the Earth from the moon?
(a) No landmasses can be seen.
(b) The Earth is always in a half-eclipse.
(c) The Earth appears completely dark.
(d) There is no visible sign of mankind.

4. What does Sagan say is an easy way to visually identify planets?
(a) The color of their atmospheres.
(b) Their movements.
(c) Their brightness.
(d) Their size.

5. What is one trait of human beings that Sagan cites as being responsible for our belief in our importance in the universe?
(a) Insecurity.
(b) Ignorance.
(c) Creativity.
(d) Industry.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is unusual about Uranus's orientation?

2. Which planet was Voyager 2 intended to visit first?

3. How much bigger is Neptune than Earth?

4. What does the Geocentric theory state?

5. At the time this book was written, how many planets were known to exist around other stars?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Sagan's involvement in the passage of Mars by the Viking probe?

2. Why does Sagan believe that the image of the "pale blue dot" undermined the "imagined self-importance" of humanity?

3. What does the image of the "pale blue dot" suggest to Sagan?

4. What "malevolent" theology does Sagan describe in Chapter 3, "The Great Demotions"?

5. How was Sagan involved in discoveries about Titan?

6. As of 1990, what had the Voyager spacecraft achieved?

7. What advantage make it more likely that the Voyager records will eventually be found?

8. Why did ancient people believe there could not be any other planets beyond the ones they knew about?

9. What message do the Voyager craft carry with them from Earth?

10. What is the problem of perspective in estimating the importance of human beings?

(see the answer keys)

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