Astronomy quiz question: sun realigning with same zodiac sign

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, fall semester 2012
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

If the sun is in front of a certain zodiac constellation today, it will take approximately __________ to pass through all other zodiac constellations to again be in front of this same zodiac constellation.
(A) an hour.
(B) 12 hours.
(C) 24 hours.
(D) one month.
(E) one year.
(F) 26,000 years.

Correct answer: (E)

The revolution of Earth around the sun causes the sun to appear in front of a new zodiac constellation at approximately one-month intervals, so it would take 12 months, or a year, for the sun to again appear in front of the same zodiac constellation.

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz01sL3e
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 4 students
(D) : 2 students
(E) : 29 students
(F) : 1 student

Success level: 78% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.12

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz01NaV3
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 1 student
(E) : 32 students
(F) : 0 students

Success level: 97% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.11