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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 15, The Gates of the Wonder World Open, Chapter 16, Scaling Heaven.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following is one of the "great demotions" that Sagan cites?
(a) Light and magnetism are the same thing.
(b) There are planets orbiting other stars.
(c) The Earth is 6 billion years old.
(d) There may have been life on Mars.

2. What was Neptune's position in the solar system as of the writing of this book?
(a) It's position was uncertain.
(b) It was last.
(c) It was third to last.
(d) It was the last known planet.

3. What does Neptune's moon have less of compared to Titan?
(a) Potassium.
(b) Iron.
(c) Ice.
(d) Carbon.

4. What element does Sagan say motivated the space programs of the 60s and 70s?
(a) Curiosity.
(b) Brinksmanship.
(c) Scientific endeavor.
(d) Nationalism.

5. Sagan compares the human need for religion to what?
(a) An infant's need for a parent.
(b) A blind person's need for a cane.
(c) A man's need for water.
(d) An injured person's need for aid.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. At the time this book was written, how many planets were known to exist around other stars?

3. What is the most important thing that would immediately be apparent to any alien intelligence that found the Voyager probes?

4. Where does Sagan think that life will most likely be eventually found?

5. How does Sagan characterize most of the benefits gleaned from the space programs of the 60s and 70s?

(see the answer key)

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