- 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) Saturn
B) Mars
C) Jupiter
D) Venus
- 3. According to Velikovsky, where did Venus originate?
A) Ejected from Jupiter
B) Captured from another star system
C) Always in its current orbit
D) Formed near Mercury
- 4. How did the scientific community generally receive Velikovsky's book?
A) With complete indifference
B) As proven fact
C) With widespread acceptance
D) With strong criticism and rejection
- 5. Which publisher initially released 'Worlds in Collision'?
A) Oxford University Press
B) Macmillan
C) Harvard University Press
D) Penguin
- 6. What year was 'Worlds in Collision' first published?
A) 1935
B) 1945
C) 1960
D) 1950
- 7. What did Velikovsky predict about Venus's temperature?
A) It would be extremely cold
B) It would be Earth-like
C) It would have no atmosphere
D) It would be extremely hot
- 8. Which ancient civilization's records does Velikovsky extensively use?
A) Mayan
B) Roman
C) Egyptian
D) Chinese
- 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 miraculous creation
D) As a type of desert plant
- 10. Which scientific principle does Velikovsky's theory most directly challenge?
A) Uniformitarianism
B) Quantum mechanics
C) Relativity
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 too mathematical
B) It was politically motivated
C) It ignored ancient texts
D) It violated laws of physics
- 13. What ancient event does Velikovsky attribute to cosmic catastrophes?
A) The Trojan War
B) The Exodus plagues
C) The fall of Rome
D) The Black Death
- 14. Which famous astronomer was among Velikovsky's most vocal critics?
A) Harlow Shapley
B) Carl Sagan
C) Isaac Newton
D) Edwin Hubble
- 15. What did critics say about Velikovsky's use of historical sources?
A) He took them too literally
B) He ignored them completely
C) He forged documents
D) He only used biblical sources
- 16. Which calendar change does Velikovsky attribute to cosmic events?
A) Babylonian to Egyptian
B) 360-day to 365-day year
C) Julian to Gregorian
D) Lunar to solar
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