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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3, The Great Demotions, Chapter 4, A Universe Not Made For Us.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which other nation besides the United States led the way in space exploration?
(a) France.
(b) The Soviet Union.
(c) China.
(d) Japan.

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that Sagan says life seems to be?
(a) Insignificant.
(b) Absurd.
(c) Meaningless.
(d) Intentional.

3. What astronomical discovery did Galileo make that significantly damaged the geocentric theory?
(a) Planets move in ellipses.
(b) Jupiter has its own moons.
(c) Gravity moves the planets.
(d) Stars are stationary relative to the Earth.

4. What punishment did Galileo suffer as a result of his works?
(a) He was put under permanent house arrest.
(b) He was burned at the stake.
(c) He was imprisoned for life.
(d) He was beheaded.

5. At the time of the writing of this book, what is the farthest planet that humans had reached through the use of exploratory probes?
(a) Saturn.
(b) Neptune.
(c) Uranus.
(d) Pluto.

Short Answer Questions

1. What other medium was used to express the desire to wander, according to Sagan, as human civilization developed?

2. What major component of the Voyager craft was threatened in Sagan's plan to take a distant picture of Earth?

3. What is one trait of human beings that Sagan cites as being responsible for our belief in our importance in the universe?

4. What means does Sagan suggest that humans use to represent and express their desire to wander?

5. Sagan suggest that modern religious thinking treats scientific evidence in what way?

(see the answer key)

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