Draco Productions--History of A Visitor from Space-Test and Discussion Questions

History of A Visitor from Space:
Questions for Testing and Discussion for Home School or Classroom

You may have the complete answer key e-mailed to you by sending your request for
"Answer Key" to dracoproductions@hotmail.com.

SECTION I

1) The story is split into three different time periods in history. They are:
      A. 1 Million A.D.; Portuguese Exploration of the New World; the 1960's
      B. pre-history; Spanish Exploration of the New World; the 1980's
      C. 2000 B.C.; the 18th Century; the 1990's
      D. 4000 B.C.; the Middle Ages; the New Millennium

2) Which force strongly affected the orbits of the two bodies that collided?
     A. collision
     B. gravity
     C. the magnetic field
     D. vaporization

3) If the orbit of a piece of debris around a planet decays to the point that it bombards the planet,
     it is called:
     A. a comet
     B. an asteroid
     C. a moon
     D. a meteor

4) If the above object lands on a planet or moon, it is called:
     A. a meteorite
     B. a satellite
     C. an asteroid
     D. a comet

5) An orbital object that contains ices and gases, as well as rocky material, and which is vaporized
     by the solar
     wind is:
      A. a meteorite
      B. a comet
      C. a planet
      D. an asteroid

6) The result of the impact of an astronomical body to the surface of a planet or moon is called:
     A. a meteoroid
     B. a lake
     C. a collision
     D. a crater

7) The greatest gravitational force in the solar system is:
     A. the Sun
     B. Jupiter
     C. Saturn
     D. all of the above

8) Discussion:
Planets that have a central core and rocky structure are called Terrestrial. After which planet are
the rest classified, and why?

9) Discussion:
The orbit of the colliding bodies in the story corresponds with what astronomical entity between Mars
and Jupiter?

10) Discussion:
What is the difference between a "shooting star," and a comet?

SECTION II

1) What do we know for sure about these villagers?
      A. They used shells, sticks, and other materials to make tools
      B. They had written records of the bright star that fell to Earth
      C. They had never had European diseases
      D. They lived near the Gulf Coast of Florida
      E.   A, B, and D are correct
      F.   B and D are correct
      G. A, C, and D are correct

2)   The explorers arrived near the village because:
      A. They wanted to make a trade alliance.
      B. They were just passing through the area on their way to another town.
      C. They were shipwrecked, and the villagers took them to the village.
      D. They had come to attack the village and steal any gold that they found.

3) The early natives of Grayton Beach ate unusual tiny mollusks called:
      A. clams
      B. oysters
      C. coquina
      D. squid

4) What European disease killed many of the native villagers?
      A. chickenpox
      B. polio
      C. mumps
      D. measles

5) A "midden" is:
     A. a trash pile
     B. a trading path carved though dense forest
     C. a place of worship
     D. a large pit where cooking is done for the entire village

6) Discussion:
What provides the only information that we have about these "pre-history" villagers, and what can we
learn about their lifestyle from the materials found there?

7) Discussion:
     Many meteorites have been found in Native American burial places, wrapped as infants and surrounded
     by artifacts needed for the next life. Why might this particular meteorite be found in a midden...far from
     being given an honorable burial?

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