- 1. Worlds In Collision is a controversial book written by the psychiatrist and author Immanuel Velikovsky, first published in 1950. In this provocative work, Velikovsky presents a series of radical hypotheses that challenge conventional scientific views of history, astronomy, and geology. He posits that the planets, particularly Venus and Mars, have experienced catastrophic interactions with Earth and have undergone dramatic orbital changes that have influenced human history. Velikovsky draws upon a variety of ancient texts, myths, and religious writings, suggesting that many of these narratives reflect real historical events that were the result of these cosmic collisions. He claims that these events were not only responsible for numerous natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, but also for the formation of various cultural myths across civilizations. Despite its ambitious scope, the book was met with fierce criticism from the scientific community, which dismissed Velikovsky's theories as pseudoscientific. Nonetheless, Worlds In Collision has intrigued many readers and has inspired a loyal following, leading to ongoing debates about the relationship between science, history, and mythology. Velikovsky's work urges a reconsideration of humanity's place in the cosmos and challenges the enduring narrative of a stable and unchanging universe.
What is the central thesis of 'Worlds in Collision'?
A) Evolution occurs through gradual natural selection
B) Catastrophic close encounters between planets shaped human history
C) Ancient civilizations had advanced space travel
D) The solar system has always been stable
- 2. Which planet does Velikovsky claim had a close encounter with Earth in historical times?
A) Jupiter
B) Saturn
C) Venus
D) Mars
- 3. According to Velikovsky, where did Venus originate?
A) Ejected from Jupiter
B) Always in its current orbit
C) Formed near Mercury
D) Captured from another star system
- 4. How did the scientific community generally receive Velikovsky's book?
A) As proven fact
B) With complete indifference
C) With widespread acceptance
D) With strong criticism and rejection
- 5. Which publisher initially released 'Worlds in Collision'?
A) Penguin
B) Macmillan
C) Harvard University Press
D) Oxford University Press
- 6. What year was 'Worlds in Collision' first published?
A) 1945
B) 1950
C) 1960
D) 1935
- 7. What did Velikovsky predict about Venus's temperature?
A) It would be extremely hot
B) It would be Earth-like
C) It would be extremely cold
D) It would have no atmosphere
- 8. Which ancient civilization's records does Velikovsky extensively use?
A) Roman
B) Mayan
C) Chinese
D) Egyptian
- 9. How does Velikovsky explain the manna in the Exodus story?
A) As edible material from Venus's atmosphere
B) As stored grain
C) As a type of desert plant
D) As a miraculous creation
- 10. Which scientific principle does Velikovsky's theory most directly challenge?
A) Quantum mechanics
B) Relativity
C) Uniformitarianism
D) Evolution
- 11. How does Velikovsky explain the global flood stories?
A) As symbolic myths
B) As melting glaciers
C) As caused by planetary disturbances
D) As purely local events
- 12. What was the main criticism from astronomers about Velikovsky's theory?
A) It was politically motivated
B) It ignored ancient texts
C) It violated laws of physics
D) It was too mathematical
- 13. What ancient event does Velikovsky attribute to cosmic catastrophes?
A) The fall of Rome
B) The Exodus plagues
C) The Black Death
D) The Trojan War
- 14. Which famous astronomer was among Velikovsky's most vocal critics?
A) Isaac Newton
B) Harlow Shapley
C) Edwin Hubble
D) Carl Sagan
- 15. What did critics say about Velikovsky's use of historical sources?
A) He forged documents
B) He only used biblical sources
C) He took them too literally
D) He ignored them completely
- 16. Which calendar change does Velikovsky attribute to cosmic events?
A) 360-day to 365-day year
B) Lunar to solar
C) Julian to Gregorian
D) Babylonian to Egyptian
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