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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What innovation was crucial in discovering Titan?
(a) Newton's laws of motion.
(b) The theory of general relativity.
(c) The chemical rocket engine.
(d) The telescope.

2. What is notable about the Sun's light in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?
(a) It creates a halo around the Earth.
(b) It is extremely dim.
(c) It appears as many distinct shafts of light.
(d) It appears to bathe the Earth in light.

3. Where does Neptune fall in the mission plan for the Voyager probes?
(a) It is their final planetary destination.
(b) They will return to the inner solar system after passing it.
(c) They will pass by it only at an immense distance
(d) They will go into decaying orbit around it.

4. Kuiper discovered that Titan has what chemical vital to the development of life?
(a) Hexamine.
(b) Methane.
(c) Argon.
(d) Cytozine.

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

6. Einstein's work undermined what concept?
(a) That the Sun is unique.
(b) That light is the fastest thing in the universe.
(c) That humans can travel to distant stars.
(d) That our frame of motion is stationary.

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

8. Sagan helped to discover that Saturn provides what critical element to Titan?
(a) Hydrogen.
(b) Energy.
(c) A magnetosphere.
(d) Tidal forces.

9. What does Sagan say that philosophy and religion should provide?
(a) Guidance.
(b) Kindness.
(c) Comfort.
(d) Truth.

10. What visual resolution would be required to determine the existence of intelligent life on Earth?
(a) 1,000 meters.
(b) 100 meters.
(c) 1 meter.
(d) 10 cm.

11. Sagan expects both Voyager spacecrafts to continue to broadcast data through what year?
(a) 2030.
(b) 2010.
(c) 2015.
(d) 2050.

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

13. When were the Voyager spacecraft launched?
(a) 1972.
(b) 1982.
(c) 1969.
(d) 1977.

14. What abstract concept does Sagan specifically say he is optimistic about?
(a) The human prospect.
(b) Human destiny.
(c) The future.
(d) The human capacity for love and discovery.

15. William Herschel, the discoverer of Uranus, had what unusual profession?
(a) Poet.
(b) Musician.
(c) Actor.
(d) Magician.

Short Answer Questions

1. What criticism does Sagan make of NASA in Chapter 6, "The Triumph of Voyager"?

2. What does Sagan suggest that cavemen were usually looking for when they wandered?

3. Sagan describes humans as which of the following, with respect to their arrival in the universe?

4. What did Galileo demonstrate?

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

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