Astronomy final exam question: evening setting moon

Astronomy 210 Final Exam, Fall Semester 2009
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Which phase will the moon be in if it is setting at 9:00 PM? Clearly circle your answer below.

Correct answer: (C) (Waxing crescent)

Note that response (A) (waxing gibbous) is the phase that the moon would be in if it is highest overhead at 9:00 PM.

Section 70160
(A) : 9 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 24 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 2 students
(F) : 1 student
(G) : 1 student
(H) : 0 students

Success level: 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.20