Astronomy current events question: targeting search for extraterrestrial life

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2016
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!)

Elisabeth Guggenberger, René Heller, "Eavesdropping on Aliens" (March 1, 2016)
mpg.de/10341214/extraterrestrial-intelligence-earth-solar-transit-zone

Scientists propose that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations may be trying to contact us, on planets around sun-like stars that could see Earth:
(A) passing in front of the sun.
(B) orbited by its moon.
(C) launching spacecraft.
(D) with advanced telescope technology.
(E) undergoing global warming.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 30678, 30679
(A) : 10 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 0 students