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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. Conditions of what type were extremely important in the creation of early life on Earth?
(a) Atmospheric.
(b) Littoral.
(c) Aquatic.
(d) Geological.

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

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

4. Sagan describes humans as which of the following, with respect to their arrival in the universe?
(a) Slow movers.
(b) Early adopters.
(c) Extreme latecomers.
(d) Middling achievers.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is notable about the stars in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?

3. What is the constituent particle of light?

4. What is Neptune's largest moon?

5. What are the records on the Voyager craft engraved in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the "great demotions" that Sagan refers to?

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

3. What contributed to the formation of the first microbes on Earth?

4. What questions does Sagan say he intends to address in this book?

5. What undesirable features of human activity might be easily noticed from space?

6. What are the distinguishing characteristics of the planet Uranus?

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

8. How was Sagan involved in discoveries about Titan?

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

10. As of 1990, what had the Voyager spacecraft achieved?

(see the answer keys)

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