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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. In what city was the 1939 Wold Fair held?

2. In 1993, how many of the people of China, as in America, knew the Earth went around the sun once a year?

3. What did the United States have in its early years?

4. What nation exploded the first hydrogen bomb?

5. 'It is certainly true that all beliefs and myths are worthy of a ___________________.'

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Alan Cromer say about the emergence of science? What does Sagan think of this thesis?

2. What is the story of Carlos?

3. How does Sagan explain the conflict between our material being and the perceived spiritual world?

4. What advantage does the idea of the afterlife give a society?

5. How is the baloney detection kit used in this chapter?

6. Describe the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

7. Describe the accomplishments of Linus Pauling.

8. Describe the response that Carl Sagan's article in Parade magazine received from readers?

9. What happens in environments of established knowledge? What happens when what needs to be learned changes quickly?

10. What lessons can be learned from the legal system and applied to matters of politics, economics, religion, and ethics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay describing the scientific method and its impact upon humanity. Be sure to address:

1) Why the scientific method is important.

2) The effect the scientific method has had upon humanity.

3) What you think the world would be like if the scientific method never existed.

Essay Topic 2

Write a short essay on freedom of information. Be sure to address:

1) The dangers and benefits of increased access to government files.

2) Specific information that you want to have released.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay from a psychological standpoint that attempts to examine why humans want to believe in 'fantastic' ideas such as alien abduction, crystal powers, and the supernatural. Be sure to:

1) Use at least two sources.

2) Remain objective.

3) Avoid addressing the credibility of phenomenon, limit the subject matter to psychological issues.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 910 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample