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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What planet did Sagan spend a great deal of time studying when an important space probe passed near it in 1976?
(a) Saturn.
(b) Mercury.
(c) Mars.
(d) Venus.

2. What was Neptune's position in the solar system as of the writing of this book?
(a) It's position was uncertain.
(b) It was third to last.
(c) It was last.
(d) It was the last known planet.

3. Earth will most likely lose contact with the Voyager probes when what happens?
(a) They reach the Kuiper belt.
(b) Their radio transmitters die.
(c) They pass the troposphere.
(d) Their solar cells die.

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

5. When was Neptune discovered?
(a) 1846.
(b) 1955.
(c) 1645.
(d) 1912.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What scientist is well-known for writing about the differences between species of animals?

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

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

5. What unusual source of energy do the Voyager spacecraft take advantage of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advantage make it more likely that the Voyager records will eventually be found?

2. What does the image of the "pale blue dot" suggest to Sagan?

3. Why is it difficult to detect intelligent life on Earth?

4. What problems does NASA face in pursuing its missions?

5. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the moon Titan?

6. What aspects of science make it unappealing to some?

7. What dangers did the Voyager I spacecraft face in taking a distant picture of Earth?

8. What seemingly important features of humanity does Sagan deny to be distinguishing?

9. Why did ancient people believe there could not be any other planets beyond the ones they knew about?

10. When this book was written, what was known about planets in other solar systems?

(see the answer keys)

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