Astronomy current events question: microbes could survive on Mars?

Astronomy 210L, spring semester 2017
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!)

Charles Q. Choi, "Microbes Could Survive Thin Air of Mars" (January 18, 2017)
astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/microbes-could-survive-thin-air-of-mars/

Researchers propose that methane-producing organisms could survive on Mars, based on similar Earth microbes surviving:
(A) in deep ocean vents.
(B) similar conditions in a laboratory.
(C) aboard the Curiosity Mars rover.
(D) inside meteorite samples.
(E) underneath Siberian permafrost.

Correct answer: (B)

Student responses
Sections 30679, 30680
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 16 students
(C) : 0 students
(D) : 8 students
(E) : 2 students