Astronomy quiz question: Earth's revolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, Spring Semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Earth's revolution causes __________, as seen by an observer in San Luis Obispo, CA.
(A) circumpolar stars to orbit the celestial north pole.
(B) different phases of the moon.
(C) the sun to appear in front of different zodiac constellations.
(D) the celestial north pole to wander around relative to the stars.

Correct answer: (C)

Earth's revolution around the sun takes one year, and will cause the sun to align with different zodiac constellations during different times of the year. Response (A) is caused by Earth's rotation; response (B) is caused by the moon's revolution around Earth; response (D) is caused by Earth's precession.

Section 30674
(A) : 7 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 24 students
(D) : 2 students
(No response: 1 student)

"Success level": 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.53