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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is notable about the Sun's light in Sagan's distant picture of the Earth?

2. What is the constituent particle of light?

3. What concept does Sagan suggest that the image of the "pale blue dot" mocks?

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways that early planets may have been made incapable of bearing life?

5. What type of waves could be analyzed to demonstrate that there is intelligent life on Earth?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Sagan's involvement in the passage of Mars by the Viking probe?

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

3. What may have happened to other planets from the early solar system?

4. How does Saga claim that human beings expressed their desire to wander as civilization grew?

5. What planets had been explored by human beings, at the time of the writing of this book?

6. How are the Voyager spacecraft able to travel quickly to distant planets?

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

8. What does the Strong Anthropomorphic principle suggest?

9. What does Sagan think about the failure of the Voyager probes to find life in the solar system?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Volcanoes are quite common and relatively active on Earth, and can be observed on solid planetary bodies throughout the solar system.

1) Describe the process of volcanism in general, its causes, and its impact on the environment.

2) Discuss the function and nature of volcanoes on Earth and how they interact with the upper atmosphere and eject particles into space.

3) Describe some of the known active or dormant volcano system observed on other planets and moons.

Essay Topic 2

The geocentric theory of the solar system stated that the sun, the moon, and the planets orbit around the Earth. This world-view was formally endorsed for more than fifteen hundred years, but was eventually shattered by the heliocentric theory.

1) Explain the geocentric theory, including the details of its layout for the solar system and how it accounted for some of the abnormalities in the orbits of the planets.

2) Discuss the origin of this theory and how it came to be embraced by scholars and religious leaders alike.

3) Describe some of the shortcomings of this theory, according to Sagan's arguments.

Essay Topic 3

Sagan discusses the a manned mission to Mars as a desirable first step in extending the human race out beyond the Earth but identifies many practical problems with any proposed plan.

1) Explain why Sagan believes that a manned mission should be sent to the planet Mars.

2) Discuss some of the proposals for such a mission, what their aims would be, and how they would be carried out technically.

3) Describe the practical difficulties that Sagan outlines and how they could be overcome.

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