Astronomy current events question: Martian streambed evidence

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2012
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Guy Webster and Dwayne Brown, "NASA Rover Finds Old Streambed on Martian Surface," September 27, 2012
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/news/msl20120927.html

__________ is evidence of an ancient flowing stream recently discovered by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover.
(A) X-ray analysis of water-bearing minerals.
(B) Swirling patterns in sandstone.
(C) Downhill-branching channels.
(D) Gravel cemented in rock.
(E) Layers of evaporated salt.

Correct answer: (D)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 10 students
(D) : 24 students
(E) : 1 student