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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 happened to those who criticized witch-burning?

2. What did King James refer to as the 'devil's weed?'

3. What was first observed on Mars in 1877?

4. What was so honest about George Adamski?

5. How was Francisca la Brava punished for falsely claiming to have visions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the common theme in the advertisements in UFO magazines?

2. What is the story of Franz Mesmer?

3. How was Kenneth Arnold misquoted?

4. Describe Malleus Maleficarum and the effect it had upon human history.

5. What is Mr. Buckley's problem with science?

6. What does Carl Sagan say about human nature and patterns?

7. What is the significance of hallucinations?

8. According to J.B.S. Haldane, what is the relationship between eternity and reincarnation?

9. What is the story of Paul Ingram?

10. What is the connection between science and pseudoscience?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing the so-called face on Mars, and what we can learn from its example. Be sure to address:

1) Any possibility that the face is real.

2) What the controversy surrounding the face demonstrates about human nature.

3) Why humans would want to believe in a real face on Mars.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that makes use of the 'baloney detection kit' described in chapter 12 of The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan, and applies it to a well-known argument. Be sure to address:

1) How effective the kit is in attacking a false argument.

2) Any issues or problems with the kit.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that argues for or against the censorship of Carl Sagan's ideas based upon their potential to offend readers. Be sure to address:

1) Any concerns regarding freedom of speech/expression, including their limits.

2) Whether or not Sagan's views offend you.

(see the answer keys)

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