Astronomy quiz question: solstice months

Astronomy 210 Quiz 1, spring semester 2014
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[Version 1]
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 10 hours between sunrise and sunset. Which month is this?
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (Two of the above choices.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

The winter solstice (10 hours daylight, 14 hours night) occurs in December. (The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight, 12 hours night) occur in March and in September; and the summer solstice (14 hours daylight, 10 hours night) occurs in June.)

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz01nYe3
(A) : 2 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 18 students
(E): 4 students

Success level: 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.70

[Version 2]
An observer in San Luis Obispo, CA notices that there are approximately 14 hours between sunrise and sunset. Which month is this?
(A) March.
(B) June.
(C) September.
(D) December.
(E) (Two of the above choices.)

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (B)

The summer solstice (14 hours daylight, 10 hours night) occurs in June. (The vernal and autumnal equinoxes (12 hours daylight, 12 hours night) occur in March and in September; and the winter solstice (10 hours daylight, 14 hours night) occurs in December.)

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz01SLo3
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 26 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 3 students
(E): 12 students

Success level: 60% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.83