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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. What did Steven Hawking worry about with regard to black holes?
(a) That they were growing larger with time.
(b) That there were varied types of them.
(c) That they could migrate into the solar system.
(d) That they could tear space-time.

2. Sagan estimates that intelligent life might arise on average in one out of how many stars?
(a) One million.
(b) Ten thousand.
(c) One trillion.
(d) One billion.

3. What is the main component of the atmosphere of Venus?
(a) Sulfuric acid.
(b) Quicklime gas.
(c) Phosphate.
(d) Hydrogen.

4. Sagan cautions that the beliefs he endorses could lead to an overabundance of what?
(a) Pride.
(b) Technology.
(c) Population.
(d) Confidence.

5. How does Sagan characterize most of the benefits gleaned from the space programs of the 60s and 70s?
(a) They were intangible.
(b) They were unexpected.
(c) They were underestimated.
(d) They were relatively unimportant.

Short Answer Questions

1. Sagan suggests that ancient people did not think of the moon as which of the following?

2. What type of missions does Sagan recommend in order to prepare to deal with Earth-bound asteroids?

3. According to Sagan, what was the major advantage of the attitude of the government towards the Apollo project?

4. When did the belief that Venus was a "sister planet" to Earth become dispelled?

5. When does Sagan think that the human race will be "on its way"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What would the process of "terraforming" on Mars be like?

2. Why does Sagan believe that America sent men to the moon?

3. What does Sagan conclude about the morality of terraforming and planetary colonization?

4. What does Sagan believe would be necessary for the safety of the human race to be secured?

5. What does Sagan want to see on Mars?

6. What is unusual about the surface of Venus?

7. What does Sagan say that it is probably the fate of humanity to "live in the dark"?

8. What does Sagan believe black holes have to offer?

9. How is Venus similar to Earth?

10. What types of strategies are most practical for stopping an Earth-bound asteroid?

(see the answer keys)

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