Astronomy current events question: Spirit rover stuck

Astronomy 210L, Fall Semester 2009
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!)

Astronomy.com editors, "NASA to Begin Attempts to Free Sand-Trapped Mars Rover," November 12, 2009
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=8811

How do NASA engineers plan to free the Mars exploration rover Spirit from being stuck in sand?
(A) Using its scoop to dig a trench out of the sand.
(B) Waiting until the martian winter hardens the sand.
(C) Carefully monitoring the results of spinning all wheels at the same time.
(D) Pushing on a nearby boulder with its robotic arm to gain traction.
(E) The exploration rover Opportunity will give it a push.

Correct answer: (C)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186, 70200
(A) : 10 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 27 students
(D) : 6 students
(E) : 3 students