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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 element does Sagan say motivated the space programs of the 60s and 70s?

2. Where was NASA's first SETI facility located?

3. What was the name of the mission that sent the first probes to Venus?

4. The primary discipline that Sagan argues nations benefit from by investing in space exploration is called which of the following?

5. Sagan cautions that the beliefs he endorses could lead to an overabundance of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What resources does Sagan believe that carbon asteroids have that make them suitable for human habitation?

2. How is Venus similar to Earth?

3. What location in the solar system either have or are believed to have once had volcanoes?

4. How is Venus different from Earth?

5. What is the purpose of SETI and how does it operate?

6. What is unusual about the ring systems of the planets in our solar system?

7. What promising signs does Mars have for being host to life?

8. Why does Sagan believe it is unlikely that a manned mission to Mars will be carried out in the near future?

9. What does Sagan believe would be necessary for the safety of the human race to be secured?

10. What types of strategies are most practical for stopping an Earth-bound asteroid?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Sagan suggests that the colonization of distant worlds is both feasible and critical to humanity.

1) Explain how does Sagan envisions colonization of distant worlds occurring. What would be the motive for such efforts?

2) Discuss some of the targets that Sagan suggests for colonization, including non-planets.

3) Describe why Sagan believes that colonization is critical to securing the safety of the human race.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 750 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample