Question 1

Approximately what percentage of people in the United States believe we have been visited by extraterrestrials?

Accepted Answer

A)  around 30 % 
B)  about 50 % 
C)  less than 1 % 
D)  more than 90 % 
A)  around 30 % 
B)  about 50 % 
C)  less than 1 % 
D)  more than 90 %

Question 2

The adoption of very similar streamlined body shapes by both sharks and dolphins provides evidence for

Accepted Answer

A)  cross-breeding 
B)  convergent evolution 
C)  genetic mutations 
D)  life originating in the oceans 
A)  cross-breeding 
B)  convergent evolution 
C)  genetic mutations 
D)  life originating in the oceans

Question 3

If we were to intercept a strong radio signal at 1420 MHz in binary format from another civilization, this would be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
B)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
C)  an intentional signal beacon 
D)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system 
A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
B)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
C)  an intentional signal beacon 
D)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system

Question 4

A UFO is

Accepted Answer

A)  an unidentified object seen in the sky 
B)  an alien spaceship 
C)  a hoax 
D)  a natural phenomenon 
A)  an unidentified object seen in the sky 
B)  an alien spaceship 
C)  a hoax 
D)  a natural phenomenon

Question 5

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor flife, in the Drake equation could be close to

Accepted Answer

A)  1 
B)  0.25 
C)  0 
D)  0.5 
A)  1 
B)  0.25 
C)  0 
D)  0.5

Question 6

The technique of taking data with a SETI instrument placed on a radio telescope that is also used for other astronomical research is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)  parallel processing 
B)  piggybanking 
C)  straddling 
D)  piggybacking 
A)  parallel processing 
B)  piggybanking 
C)  straddling 
D)  piggybacking

Question 7

In principle, the Drake equation should enable us to calculate the exact number of intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication in our galaxy right now. However, currently this is not feasible because

Accepted Answer

A)  we do not have precise values for any of the factors in the equation 
B)  it is impossible for us to ever know the precise values of any of the factors 
C)  we have precise values for the first three factors, but not the last factor 
D)  we have a precise values for the first factor, but not for any of the other factors 
A)  we do not have precise values for any of the factors in the equation 
B)  it is impossible for us to ever know the precise values of any of the factors 
C)  we have precise values for the first three factors, but not the last factor 
D)  we have a precise values for the first factor, but not for any of the other factors

Question 8

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is able to carry the most information?

Accepted Answer

A)  gamma rays 
B)  microwaves 
C)  all types have equal ability 
D)  radio waves 
A)  gamma rays 
B)  microwaves 
C)  all types have equal ability 
D)  radio waves

Question 9

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor flife, in the Drake equation should be

Accepted Answer

A)  close to 0 
B)  exactly 0 
C)  exactly 1 
D)  close to 1 
A)  close to 0 
B)  exactly 0 
C)  exactly 1 
D)  close to 1

Question 10

Which factor in the modified Drake equation are we best able to estimate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nhp, the number of habitable planets in our galaxy 
B)  fciv, fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent civilizations have at some time arisen 
C)  fnow, fraction of civilization-bearing planets that have intelligent civilizations on them now 
D)  flife, fraction of life-bearing habitable planets which are intelligent now 
A)  Nhp, the number of habitable planets in our galaxy 
B)  fciv, fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent civilizations have at some time arisen 
C)  fnow, fraction of civilization-bearing planets that have intelligent civilizations on them now 
D)  flife, fraction of life-bearing habitable planets which are intelligent now

Question 11

The major advantage the Allen Telescope Array (which will eventually consist of 350 small radio dishes) has over a conventional single-dish radio telescope is that it

Accepted Answer

A)  is less expensive to build than a single-dish 
B)  is simpler to operate than a single-dish 
C)  can monitor several targets simultaneously 
D)  can collect more radiation than a single-dish of comparable size 
A)  is less expensive to build than a single-dish 
B)  is simpler to operate than a single-dish 
C)  can monitor several targets simultaneously 
D)  can collect more radiation than a single-dish of comparable size

Question 12

The factor L (the communication lifetime of a civilization) in the original Drake equation is dependent on

Accepted Answer

A)  astronomy 
B)  sociology 
C)  biology 
D)  chemistry 
A)  astronomy 
B)  sociology 
C)  biology 
D)  chemistry

Question 13

The range of frequencies that a radio telescope is sensitive to is referred to as its

Accepted Answer

A)  sensitivity 
B)  band 
C)  bandwidth 
D)  bandpass 
A)  sensitivity 
B)  band 
C)  bandwidth 
D)  bandpass

Question 14

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system 
B)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
C)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
D)  an intentional signal beacon 
A)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another star system 
B)  a signal used for communication between a civilization's home world and another planet in its own planetary system 
C)  a signal used for local communication in the world where the intelligent beings exist 
D)  an intentional signal beacon

Question 15

Which type of signal could carry the largest amount of information?

Accepted Answer

A)  low intensity 
B)  high intensity 
C)  large bandwidth 
D)  small bandwidth 
A)  low intensity 
B)  high intensity 
C)  large bandwidth 
D)  small bandwidth

Question 16

Which of the following is a prime number?

Accepted Answer

A)  13 
B)  21 
C)  49 
D)  15 
A)  13 
B)  21 
C)  49 
D)  15

Question 17

The factor fnow, in the Drake equation depends on

Accepted Answer

A)  whether a civilization ever develops intelligence 
B)  whether a planet has any kind of life on its surface right now 
C)  how technologically advanced civilizations become 
D)  how long civilizations survive once they have arisen 
A)  whether a civilization ever develops intelligence 
B)  whether a planet has any kind of life on its surface right now 
C)  how technologically advanced civilizations become 
D)  how long civilizations survive once they have arisen

Question 18

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

Accepted Answer

A)  it is the easiest radio frequency to generate 
B)  it is the only radio frequency that is not blocked by interstellar matter 
C)  all intelligent civilizations should be aware of its universal significance and would probably also think of sending and receiving signals at this frequency 
D)  it is the only frequency to which radio telescopes can be tuned 
A)  it is the easiest radio frequency to generate 
B)  it is the only radio frequency that is not blocked by interstellar matter 
C)  all intelligent civilizations should be aware of its universal significance and would probably also think of sending and receiving signals at this frequency 
D)  it is the only frequency to which radio telescopes can be tuned

Question 19

How is intelligence defined in the Drake Equation?

Accepted Answer

A)  a civilization that has developed language 
B)  a civilization willing and able to communicate over interstellar distances 
C)  a civilization that communicates using telepathy 
D)  a civilization capable of spaceflight 
A)  a civilization that has developed language 
B)  a civilization willing and able to communicate over interstellar distances 
C)  a civilization that communicates using telepathy 
D)  a civilization capable of spaceflight

Question 20

The object recovered from a pasture close to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 is now believed to have been a

Accepted Answer

A)  flying saucer with alien occupants 
B)  weather balloon 
C)  secret military balloon designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests 
D)  small passenger aircraft 
A)  flying saucer with alien occupants 
B)  weather balloon 
C)  secret military balloon designed to detect Soviet nuclear tests 
D)  small passenger aircraft

Approximately what percentage of people in the United States believe we have been visited by extraterrestrials?

The adoption of very similar streamlined body shapes by both sharks and dolphins provides evidence for

If we were to intercept a strong radio signal at 1420 MHz in binary format from another civilization, this would be an example of

A UFO is

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation could be close to

The technique of taking data with a SETI instrument placed on a radio telescope that is also used for other astronomical research is referred to as

In principle, the Drake equation should enable us to calculate the exact number of intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication in our galaxy right now. However, currently this is not feasible because

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is able to carry the most information?

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation should be

Which factor in the modified Drake equation are we best able to estimate?

The major advantage the Allen Telescope Array (which will eventually consist of 350 small radio dishes) has over a conventional single-dish radio telescope is that it

The factor L (the communication lifetime of a civilization) in the original Drake equation is dependent on

The range of frequencies that a radio telescope is sensitive to is referred to as its

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Which type of signal could carry the largest amount of information?

Which of the following is a prime number?

The factor f_now, in the Drake equation depends on

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

How is intelligence defined in the Drake Equation?

The object recovered from a pasture close to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 is now believed to have been a

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Habitability Outside the Solar System

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

Filters

Exam 12: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Approximately what percentage of people in the United States believe we have been visited by extraterrestrials?

The adoption of very similar streamlined body shapes by both sharks and dolphins provides evidence for

If we were to intercept a strong radio signal at 1420 MHz in binary format from another civilization, this would be an example of

A UFO is

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor flife, in the Drake equation could be close to

The technique of taking data with a SETI instrument placed on a radio telescope that is also used for other astronomical research is referred to as

In principle, the Drake equation should enable us to calculate the exact number of intelligent civilizations capable of interstellar communication in our galaxy right now. However, currently this is not feasible because

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is able to carry the most information?

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor flife, in the Drake equation should be

Which factor in the modified Drake equation are we best able to estimate?

The major advantage the Allen Telescope Array (which will eventually consist of 350 small radio dishes) has over a conventional single-dish radio telescope is that it

The factor L (the communication lifetime of a civilization) in the original Drake equation is dependent on

The range of frequencies that a radio telescope is sensitive to is referred to as its

If we were to detect radio and TV signals that had leaked out into space from another civilization, this would be an example of

Which type of signal could carry the largest amount of information?

Which of the following is a prime number?

The factor fnow, in the Drake equation depends on

The 1420 MHz (21 cm) radio line generated by neutral hydrogen atoms is a good choice for interstellar communications because

How is intelligence defined in the Drake Equation?

The object recovered from a pasture close to Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 is now believed to have been a

The Science of Life in the Universe

The Universal Context of Life

The Habitability of Earth

The Nature of Life on Earth

The Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Searching for Life in Our Solar System

Mars

Life on Jovian Moons

The Nature and Evolution of Habitability

Habitability Outside the Solar System

Interstellar Travel and the Fermi Paradox

Filters

Given that life on Earth appears to have arisen quite easily and rapidly suggests that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation could be close to

The rare-Earth hypothesis would predict that the factor f_life, in the Drake equation should be

The factor f_now, in the Drake equation depends on