View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Sagan uses what term to describe a theology that requires God to intentionally mislead human scientists?

2. What does Neptune posses at its core that Uranus apparently lacks?

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

4. What does Sagan lament about the study of Titan?

5. The Voyager probes found large amounts of what element on Titan?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Saga say he is optimistic about the "human prospect"?

3. Describe the planet Neptune.

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

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

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

7. How did ancient people know about the planets?

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

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

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

Venus was once considered to be a "sister planet" to Earth, but is now known to be dramatically different from our own planet.

1) Discuss the characteristics of Venus, including the oddities in its climate, atmosphere, and surface.

2) Explain some of the similarities and differences between Earth and Venus and explain why this planet was once considered a "sister planet" to Earth.

3) Discuss Venus' unique place in the mythologies of ancient cultures around the world, as well as its unique positioning in the night sky as seen from Earth.

Essay Topic 2

The heliocentric theory was developed by Copernicus, Galileo, and others, and uprooted the dogmatically endorsed geocentric theory, forever changing the nature of scientific thought in the West.

1) Describe heliocentric theory and the scientists who proposed and developed it.

2) Explain some of the abnormalities and observations that lent support to the heliocentric theory.

3) Discuss the reasons that Sagan believes heliocentric theory was opposed by the church.

4) Describe the impact of the victory of the heliocentric theory over the geocentric model on scientific thinking in the West.

Essay Topic 3

The Apollo Missions had an enormous impact on the field of space exploration, on the international status of the United States, and on the public's interest in space and science in general.

1) Describe the Apollo moon landings, their operation, mission, and the scientific information gained from them.

2) Discuss the effect that Sagan says the landings had on the international standing of the United States.

3) Explain how the moon landings impacted the field of space exploration and sparked the public's interest in the field. Cite Sagan's arguments to explain specific ways that this occurred.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 805 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample