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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 the stars in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?
(a) An immense number are visible.
(b) Very few are visible.
(c) They appear very close.
(d) They have many different colors.

2. What does the Geocentric theory state?
(a) The Earth is a flat disc.
(b) The planets and heavens are all fixed.
(c) The sun moves around the Earth.
(d) The Earth moves in a perfect circle.

3. Sagan suggests that throughout history, many have claimed that our species is what?
(a) Essentially good.
(b) Unique.
(c) Irredeemable.
(d) Worthless.

4. Which of the following is a major point opponents of space exploration raise?
(a) The problems on Earth should be solved first.
(b) No good has ever come of space exploration.
(c) Space exploration exists for national prestige only.
(d) There is nothing of value anywhere else in the solar system.

5. In what century was the geocentric theory conclusively disproved?
(a) The 13th century.
(b) The 21st century.
(c) The 11th century.
(d) The 19th century.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the time of the writing of this book, what is the farthest planet that humans had reached through the use of exploratory probes?

2. Sagan suggests that the image of the "pale blue dot" teaches the need for what?

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

4. What is the major difference between space exploration and human exploration in the past?

5. What scientist is credited with making the first discoveries that caused problems for the geocentric theory?

(see the answer key)

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