Astronomy final exam question: rising waxing gibbous moon

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

What time is it when the waxing gibbous moon is rising?
(A) 12:00 PM (noon).
(B) 3:00 PM (afternoon).
(C) 6:00 PM (sunset).
(D) 9:00 PM (evening).
(E) 12:00 AM (midnight).
(F) 3:00 AM (wee hours).
(G) 6:00 AM (sunrise).
(H) 9:00 AM (morning).

Correct answer: (B)

Note that response (D) (9:00 PM) is the time that the waxing gibbous moon would be highest overhead.

Section 70158
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 21 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 13 students
(E) : 0 students
(F) : 7 students
(G) : 2 students
(H) : 3 students

Success level: 51% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.31