Astronomy current events question: computer models of moon orbit tilt origin

Astronomy 210L, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students are assigned to read online articles on current astronomy events, and take a short current events quiz during the first 10 minutes of lab. (This motivates students to show up promptly to lab, as the time cut-off for the quiz is strictly enforced!)

Matthew Wright, "New Model Explains the Moon’s Weird Orbit" (October 31, 2016)
umdrightnow.umd.edu/news/new-model-explains-moon’s-weird-orbit

Computer simulations may explain Earth's axis and the moon's orbital tilts today assuming that __________ after the large impact that formed the Earth-moon system.
(A) Earth's axis was steeply tilted.
(B) multiple moonlets were created.
(C) magnetic fields were disrupted.
(D) the sun was highly unstable.
(E) volcanic activity ceased.

Correct answer: (A)

Student responses
Sections 70178, 70186
(A) : 16 students
(B) : 0 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 0 students
(E) : 0 students