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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 was the major result of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Collision?

2. Sagan suggests that humans could live and thrive around what unusual type of star?

3. According to the plans Sagan discussed, how would nuclear weapons typically be used to stop an asteroid from colliding with the Earth?

4. Sagan discusses in detail a theory that Saturn's rings are caused by what effect?

5. When did a "disrupted" comet famously fall into Jupiter?

Short Essay Questions

1. What would the process of "terraforming" on Mars be like?

2. What does Sagan say that it is probably the fate of humanity to "live in the dark"?

3. How could planetary tides pull a small planet apart?

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

5. What does Sagan believe black holes have to offer?

6. What major environmental catastrophes does Sagan warn against in Chapter 14, "Exploring Other Worlds and Protecting One"?

7. What does Sagan want to see on Mars?

8. What is unusual about the surface of Venus?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Saturn is known for its beautiful ring system, although at the time this book was written, it was not known how or why planets formed rings.

1) Describe the planet Saturn, its ring system, and its moons.

2) Summarize some of the important information that the Voyager probes gleaned from their passage of the planet.

3) Discuss how planetary tidal forces are believed to contribute to the formation of ring systems.

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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