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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. In what year was Einstein's vocal support of the Zionist cause recognized?

2. The publication of what book made Einstein declare, " If I were wrong, then one would've been enough."

3. Galileo belied that the earth did what?

4. Why did the universe not collapse back on itself shortly after the big bang?

5. Einstein proposed who should have control over nuclear weaponry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Real time is described in math using what?

2. Hawking says that when the universe loses all order, what will happen with life?

3. Addressing the question of why the universe exists was once the job of philosophers, but now is not done because of what reason?

4. Why do physicists want to detect black holes?

5. What is the difference between string theory and the other theories?

6. What is one theory about what happens when particles match up with their anti-particles on the event horizon of a black hole?

7. According to Hawking, people are naturally curious about what?

8. Einstein preferred what over the fleeting nature of politics?

9. What punishment did the Inquisition order for Galileo?

10. What does a weak form of the anthropic principle hold for the view of the universe?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is Hawking's definition of a scientific theory? Using this definition, discuss why (or why not) various theories in the book are scientific theories. Discuss at least three theories and use the book to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

What is the theory of relativity? How is the theory of relativity important, and related to, the understanding of the universe? Please use the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Based on your reading of the book, why does humanity try to understand the universe and what progress has humanity made in understanding it? Please support your answers with examples from the text.

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This section contains 544 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample