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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 1, You Are Here, Chapter 2, Aberrations of Light.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the major unknowns that Sagan says he will address in this book?
(a) Whether or not there is intelligent life on nearby planets.
(b) Why humans should explore space.
(c) How humans can explore space.
(d) What humanity's future is.

3. At the time of the writing of this book, what is the farthest planet that humans had reached through the use of exploratory probes?
(a) Pluto.
(b) Saturn.
(c) Uranus.
(d) Neptune.

4. What strange motion do all of the stars in the sky exhibit?
(a) They move in identical tiny ellipses.
(b) They tend to move towards each other.
(c) They appear to drift towards the Earth.
(d) They change directions randomly.

5. According to Sagan, which of the following was the most notable historical tool that humans used to explore the world?
(a) Roads.
(b) Ships.
(c) Compasses.
(d) The Wheel.

Short Answer Questions

1. What major component of the Voyager craft was threatened in Sagan's plan to take a distant picture of Earth?

2. What means does Sagan suggest that humans use to represent and express their desire to wander?

3. How many planets were known to ancient people?

4. What is notable about the Sun's light in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?

5. What punishment did Galileo suffer as a result of his works?

(see the answer key)

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