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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 5, Is There Intelligent Life on Earth?, Chapter 6, The Triumph of Voyager.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the analogy Sagan makes in Chapter 5 the reader is asked to imagine they are seeing Earth from what perspective?
(a) Very close up.
(b) For the first time.
(c) From a distorted frame of reference.
(d) From an immense distance.

2. How many planets were known to ancient people?
(a) Three.
(b) Five.
(c) Six.
(d) Four.

3. What is notable about the Sun's light in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?
(a) It appears to bathe the Earth in light.
(b) It creates a halo around the Earth.
(c) It appears as many distinct shafts of light.
(d) It is extremely dim.

4. Einstein's work undermined what concept?
(a) That our frame of motion is stationary.
(b) That humans can travel to distant stars.
(c) That light is the fastest thing in the universe.
(d) That the Sun is unique.

5. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that Sagan says life seems to be?
(a) Meaningless.
(b) Absurd.
(c) Insignificant.
(d) Intentional.

Short Answer Questions

1. About how long does Sagan suggest that human beings have been "settled down"?

2. What scientist is credited with making the first discoveries that caused problems for the geocentric theory?

3. The "great demotions" are changes in thinking about the status of what?

4. At the time of the writing of this book, what is the farthest planet that humans had reached through the use of exploratory probes?

5. What is notable about pictures taken of the Earth from the moon?

(see the answer key)

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