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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. Which of the following is NOT one of the missions that observed Venus using radar telescopes?

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

3. Sagan worries about how societies of what type would handle the technology that could stop Earth-bound asteroids?

4. What hazard from nuclear weapons causes "nuclear winter"?

5. What process would be critical to terraforming Mars?

Short Essay Questions

1. What profit motivations exist in a manned mission to Mars?

2. How is Venus similar to Earth?

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

4. Why does Sagan believe that America sent men to the moon?

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

6. What does Sagan think were the major upsides of the Apollo missions?

7. How well can an asteroid's path be calculated?

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

9. Why does Sagan suggest that space exploration aids in protecting the planet?

10. What does Sagan conclude about the morality of terraforming and planetary colonization?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The program SETI is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Sagan endorses this program whole-heartedly despite its failure to date and many complaints about its cost.

1) Explain the SETI program and its goals, and how it goes about its search for intelligence.

2) Discuss some of the criticisms about the SETI program.

3) Explain why Sagan maintains his support for the program, despite its failure to date.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

At the time this book was written, about 200 large asteroids were known to have orbits that would take them close to Earth. Asteroids have caused major catastrophes in the past and could be a threat in the future.

1) Describe how Earth-bound asteroids are identified and tracked.

2) Discuss the danger that asteroids pose to the Earth and some of the catastrophes that major impacts have brought about in the past.

3) Explain some of the methods that Sagan discusses in the book for dealing with Earth-bound asteroids.

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