View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the geometric theory of gravitation published by Albert Einstein in 1916?

2. What is a member of a class of very luminous variable stars?

3. Which astronomer discovered that some nebulae had spiral structures?

4. Where was Charles Darwin from?

5. SETI was first proposed in 1959 by Giuseppe Cocconi and whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the strengths of Darwin's "The Origin of the Species," according to the author in Chapter 14: "The Evolution of Atoms and Stars"?

2. What evidences does the author suggest implies extraterrestrial life in Chapter 19: "Mind and Matter"?

3. How are nebulae defined in Chapter 8: "Deep Space"? What are the different classes of nebulae?

4. What does the author state mankind has come to with the universe in Chapter 20: "The Persistence of Mystery"? Why?

5. What does the author assert to be the scientist's method and approach in Chapter 20: "The Persistence of Mystery"?

6. What were the main premises of "The Origin of the Species," according to the author in Chapter 13: "The Age of the Earth"?

7. What led to the origination of spectroscopy and astrophysics, according to the author in Chapter 10: "Einstein's Sky"?

8. Why did Darwin delay the publication of "The Origin of the Species" according to the author in Chapter 14: "The Evolution of Atoms and Stars"?

9. How have advancements in the sciences improved mankind, according to the author in Chapter 19: "Mind and Matter"?

10. How does the author compare telescopes and accelerators in Chapter 17: "The Axis of History"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the life and work of Nicolaus Copernicus. When and where was Copernicus born? Where did Copernicus study? What ancient astronomers influenced him? What advancements did Copernicus make to science? How did he impact history?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss the early models of the universe as discussed in Chapter 2: "Raising (and Lowering) the Roof." How did these systems differ from how the universe is modeled today? How did the concept of inertia change this view?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the journey of Captain James Cook in 1768. Who funded Cook's voyage? What was determined by the trip? How did this voyage further the sciences? What impact did it have on history?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 916 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample