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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When was Neptune discovered?

2. Einstein's work undermined what concept?

3. Which of the following does Sagan NOT cite as evidence for the age of the universe?

4. Which other nation besides the United States led the way in space exploration?

5. Sagan suggest that modern religious thinking treats scientific evidence in what way?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the moon Titan?

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

3. Why is it difficult to detect intelligent life on Earth?

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

5. What may have happened to other planets from the early solar system?

6. What are the "great demotions" that Sagan refers to?

7. What does the Strong Anthropomorphic principle suggest?

8. Describe the planet Neptune.

9. How did ancient people know about the planets?

10. What seemingly important features of humanity does Sagan deny to be distinguishing?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sagan presents a thought experiment in Chapter 5, "Is There Intelligent Life on Earth?" He suggests that the observations that a visiting alien might make of Earth would not necessarily reveal the presence of intelligent life.

1) Discuss the thought experiment that Sagan proposes in Chapter 5, and describe the obvious characteristics of the Earth from the perspective of this visitor.

2) Describe the types of observations a visitor to Earth would have to make in order to determine the presence of intelligent life on the planet.

3) Explain how this thought experiment demonstrates Sagan's point about "missing" important details in the search for life in the solar system.

Essay Topic 2

Uranus was the first new planet discovered, aside from the five known to ancient cultures.

1) Discus the discovery of Uranus and what made this discovery unusual and unique.

2) Describe the planet Uranus, including a discussion of its unique inclination and theories to explain this feature.

3) Discuss Sagan's impression of the planet and the likelihood that it or its moons could harbor life.

Essay Topic 3

Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the most Earth-like of all of the moons in the solar system, making it a good candidate for finding extraterrestrial life.

1) Describe the characteristics of the moon Titan, including a discussion of its atmosphere and hydrocarbon lakes.

2) Assess the specific characteristics of the moon that make it suitable for life.

3) Discuss Sagan's personal involvement in the study of Titan, its importance to him, and why he believes the moon warrants further study.

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