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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. What fault does Sagan admit that science has?
(a) It is marred by human perception and arrogance.
(b) It fails to uplift human spirits.
(c) It is always inaccurate.
(d) It can only develop theories, not laws.

2. What scientist is well-known for writing about the differences between species of animals?
(a) Dawkins.
(b) Hawking.
(c) Darwin.
(d) Maxwell.

3. What space probe was an important part of Sagan's career, and passed by a major planet in 1976?
(a) Tesla.
(b) Ion.
(c) Newton.
(d) Viking.

4. What is the constituent particle of light?
(a) The neutrino.
(b) The neutron.
(c) The photon.
(d) The electron.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How old does Sagan state that "fundamentalist monotheists" believe the Earth to be?

2. About how long does Sagan suggest that human beings have been "settled down"?

3. Einstein's work undermined what concept?

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

5. What abstract concept does Sagan specifically say he is optimistic about?

(see the answer key)

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