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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 scientist is credited with making the first discoveries that caused problems for the geocentric theory?

2. Einstein's work undermined what concept?

3. What does Sagan say that philosophy and religion should provide?

4. Sagan helped to discover that Saturn provides what critical element to Titan?

5. Titan orbits what planet?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Describe the planet Neptune.

5. Briefly describe the progress made to undermine the geocentric theory.

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

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

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

9. How did ancient people know about the planets?

10. Why does Sagan believe that the image of the "pale blue dot" undermined the "imagined self-importance" of humanity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

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

Terraforming is the process of modifying and entire planet to make it more hospitable for human life.

1) Describe the processes of terraforming that Sagan outlines for Mars and the moon Titan.

2) Discuss the moral aspects of the effort of terraforming, and summarize Sagan's views on the issue.

3) Describe, according to information and arguments from the book, some of the benefits that the human species as a whole would reap through the wholesale terraforming of another planet.

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This section contains 810 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample