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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Sagan, what was the major advantage of the attitude of the government towards the Apollo project?
(a) Computers advanced in power rapidly.
(b) There was plenty of funding for space.
(c) Rocket science progressed quickly.
(d) New propulsion systems were developed.

2. Mars apparently once had what resource?
(a) Organic compounds.
(b) Oceans of hydrocarbons.
(c) Ice sheets.
(d) Liquid water.

3. What hazard from nuclear weapons causes "nuclear winter"?
(a) The erosion of land after plant life is wiped out.
(b) Acid rain.
(c) Smoke particles in the upper atmosphere.
(d) Cloud scattering.

4. About how many channels does SETI search for signs of extraterrestrial communication on?
(a) Thousands.
(b) A few hundred.
(c) Millions.
(d) One hundred.

5. Sagan describes the "myth" that he believes should be created as centering around what?
(a) Science.
(b) Discovery.
(c) Encouragement.
(d) Tolerance.

6. How does Sagan characterize most of the benefits gleaned from the space programs of the 60s and 70s?
(a) They were relatively unimportant.
(b) They were unexpected.
(c) They were underestimated.
(d) They were intangible.

7. Why does Sagan say that Mars is a more desirable target for human exploration than the moon?
(a) It has more resources.
(b) It has more to teach.
(c) It is more like Earth.
(d) It is more inhabitable.

8. Sagan suggests that ancient people did not think of the moon as which of the following?
(a) As a real object.
(b) As having an opposite side.
(c) As moving.
(d) As a place.

9. It is believed that some of Saturn's rings may eventually form into what?
(a) Comets.
(b) Asteroids.
(c) Meteors.
(d) Moons.

10. When did NASA's SETI program go online?
(a) 1992.
(b) 1984.
(c) 1996.
(d) 1978.

11. What fuel source might be viable within asteroids?
(a) Bacteria byproducts.
(b) Methane.
(c) Hexane.
(d) Organic solids.

12. At the time this book was written, how many Mars Observers had been flown successfully?
(a) Three.
(b) One.
(c) None.
(d) Five.

13. Sagan cautions that the beliefs he endorses could lead to an overabundance of what?
(a) Pride.
(b) Confidence.
(c) Technology.
(d) Population.

14. According to the plans Sagan discussed, how would nuclear weapons typically be used to stop an asteroid from colliding with the Earth?
(a) By reversing its orbit.
(b) By pushing it off-course.
(c) By splitting it in two.
(d) By destroying it completely.

15. What is the primary way that humans add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
(a) Carburetor emissions.
(b) Drilling for natural gas and oil.
(c) Heavy industry byproducts.
(d) Burning fossil fuels.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the shape of the galaxy closest to the Milky Way?

2. The primary discipline that Sagan argues nations benefit from by investing in space exploration is called which of the following?

3. What was the major result of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Collision?

4. What types of information does SETI analyze?

5. What does Sagan say the rings of Saturn composed of?

(see the answer keys)

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