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

3. What innovation was crucial in discovering Titan?

4. As of the writing of this book, how many moons was Uranus known to have?

5. What does Sagan say is an easy way to visually identify planets?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What "malevolent" theology does Sagan describe in Chapter 3, "The Great Demotions"?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. What is the problem of perspective in estimating the importance of human beings?

10. What would be the first things an alien visitor to Earth would notice about the planet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In Chapter 1, Sagan discusses in detail the photo of the "pale blue dot" for which he named this book. He regards it as a singular and impressive symbol of man's place in the universe.

1) Describe how the photo of the "pale blue dot" was taken, the risks involved, and how Sagan was personally involved in its creation.

2) Describe the photo itself, using details from the book.

3) Explain how Sagan thinks that this photo demonstrates part of the triumph of the Voyager spacecraft.

4) Discuss in detail the meaning of this photo to Sagan and what it says to him about man's place in the universe.

Essay Topic 3

Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the most Earth-like of all of the moons in the solar system, making it a good candidate for finding extraterrestrial life.

1) Describe the characteristics of the moon Titan, including a discussion of its atmosphere and hydrocarbon lakes.

2) Assess the specific characteristics of the moon that make it suitable for life.

3) Discuss Sagan's personal involvement in the study of Titan, its importance to him, and why he believes the moon warrants further study.

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