The Martian Quizzes

The Martian Quiz 1

1 Watney finds a "broken radio" with what name to communicate with NASA on Earth?
Ares

Truth-teller

Wayfinder

Pathfinder
2 In what fields has Watney trained, before the Ares 3 mission?
Engineering and mammalian biology

Botany and Martian physics

Botany and engineering

Botany and aerodynamics
3 To which crater must Watney travel in the rover?
Acidalia

Planitia

Schiaparelli

Crater 45
4 Which label best characterizes Watney's tone in his video logs?
sarcastic and pessimistic

earnest and pessimistic

sarcastic and optimistic

earnest and optimistic
5 For what baseball team does Watney root?
The Cubs

The Cardinals

He doesn't like baseball

The Braves
6 How would you characterize Commander Lewis's feelings about Watney (toward the end of the text)?
regret, that they can't be better friends

anguished, because she knows he causes his own demise

regret, that he was impulsive enough to get left behind

regret, that she couldn't save him
7 How would you characterize the relationship between the CNSA and NASA?
one of complete institutional harmony

one of complete competition

a comfortable co-working relationship, with some institutional competition

one of complete lack of communication
8 What is Kapoor's job title at NASA?
Head of Martian missions

Head of the Ares 3 mission

Head of comms

Head of satellite imaging
9 How does Watney feel about Commander Lewis's taste in music?
Complete hatred, from start to finish

Complete love, from start to finish

He hates it at first, but grows to enjoy it

Total befuddlement
10 What is Watney's first name?
Matt

Mork

Mike

Mark
11 Which of these does Watney NOT fear on Mars?
Rapid depressurization

Alien life-forms

Lack of water

Lack of oxygen
12 How would you characterize Watney's religious beliefs?
Buddhist/New Age

Protestant

Nonexistent

Catholic
13 What word do NASA subordinates use to describe Teddy Sanders?
coward

nerd

mastermind

visionary
14 What plant is Watney able to grow in the Hab?
white beans

yams

sweet peas

potatoes
15 What is the Purnell Maneuver?
A way for Hermes to slingshot around Earth and pick up Watney near Mars

A way to save someone from drowning

A Chinese-developed mission to Venus

A NASA training vehicle in Houston
16 How does Watney power his rover on the long drive to Schiaparelli?
plutonium

solar sails

solar panels

saddle bags
17 What word best describes Watney's relationship to the Hab?
complete indifference—he can build his own if he needs it

complete mystification—he's not sure who put it on Mars

complete anxiety—he thinks it's on the verge of collapse all the time

complete devotion—it keeps him alive
18 What word describes Ares 1 and 2, the missions before Ares 3?
unsuccessful and unpopular—both missions cost far too much money for taxpayers to bear

successful and only getting more popular

unsuccessful—both mission aborded

successful and popular, though less so now that they seem commonplace
19 Why doesn't Kapoor want to tell the Hermes crew that Watney is still alive?
He fears they'll stop communicating with NASA in response

He fears they'll misunderstand what he's saying

He fears they'll mutiny

He fears they won't be able to navigate back to Earth effectively if he does
20 What is Mindy Park's job at NASA?
comms specialist

college intern

satellite imaging specialist

public relations specialist
21 How would you describe Annie Montrose's demeanor in the workplace?
Unprofessional in public, calm and detached in private

Unprofessional in public, scathing in private

Professional in public, scathingly funny in private

Professional in public, disorganized in private
22 To which novel has The Martian been compared?
10,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Robinson Crusoe

The Count of Monte Cristo

Treasure Island
23 How frequently does Watney use the scientific method on Mars?
Never

About once a month

nearly every day

Once or twice
24 What causes the power outage that ruins the Pathfinder's radio?
Accidental surge caused by a fire

Lack of oxygen

Accidental surge caused by the power drill

Accidental surge caused by the rover
25 What describes Watney's tone best, in his emailed messages to crew-members?
Angry and acerbic

Detached and mechanical

Ruthlessly scientific and proud

Funny, honest, and slightly wistful

Scientists hope to study Mars by using the rocks to learn about the planet's history, geology, and to determine whether or not it ever supported life. By analyzing the rock's composition, they can check for signs of past water activity and...

Asked by Serena D #1361658

Answered by jill d #170087 on 4/3/2025 9:01 PM