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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 planet did Sagan spend a great deal of time studying when an important space probe passed near it in 1976?
(a) Mercury.
(b) Saturn.
(c) Mars.
(d) Venus.

2. What concept does Sagan suggest that the image of the "pale blue dot" mocks?
(a) Individuality.
(b) Human achievement.
(c) Human conceit.
(d) Technology.

3. What planet represents the farthest distance from Earth that the Voyager craft were intended to function at?
(a) Mars.
(b) Jupiter.
(c) Saturn
(d) Uranus.

4. What was the state of the knowledge and belief about life on other planets at the time the book was written?
(a) It was believed there was abundant life on Mars.
(b) No signs of life were known to exist.
(c) Most believed life on other planets was impossible.
(d) Scientists expected to find life on most of the planets and moons.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sagan claim is the key element of humanity's future?

2. What is notable about the stars in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?

3. What astronomical discovery did Galileo make that significantly damaged the geocentric theory?

4. What did ancient people notice about planets that set them apart from the stars?

5. How fast was Voyager I moving in 1990?

(see the answer key)

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