Ch. 1 - Stranded
Ch. 6 - NASA Makes a Discovery
Ch. 11 - Reestablishing Contact
Ch. 14 - Watney Loses the Farm
Ch. 17 - New Plan and Mutiny
Ch. 23 - On the Road to Rescue
100

Who is the main character ? 

Mark Watney

100

What event happens at the start of Chapter 6 ? 

Watney's public memorial

100

What space vehicle is Mark Watney using to establish 2 way contact with NASA ? 

The Pathfinder

100

What is Watney growing in the HAB ? 

Potatoes

100

Is the rescue plan for Mark Watney approved by NASA ? 

No. It is a mutiny. 

100

How is NASA monitoring Watney as he begins his trip to Schiaparelli ? 

Through satellite images

200

What planet is he on ? 

Mars

200

Where is the crew of Ares 3 ? 

On Hermes on their return to Earth

200

Can Watney and NASA hear each other ? 

No

200

Where is the airlock in the beginning of Chapter 14? How did it get there ? 

The airlock breached or tore away from the HAB. It is about 50 meters away from the HAB.

200

Who is coming to rescue him ? 

His own crew or

The Crew of ARES 3


They are the same people

200

What does NASA know that Mark does not. 

He is headed into a huge dust storm. 

300

Are the ARES missions real missions ? 

NO

300

How does Mindy Park discover that Mark Watney is alive ? 

From satellite images that are being sent back to earth by our satellites. 

300

How does Watney communicate with NASA ? 

He writes notes

300

What has happened to Mark's EVA. List BOTH of the issues. 

The EVA is leaking

The space helmet's face shield has smashed

300

Where is Mark going to meet up with the crew of ARES 3 to be rescued ? 

Schiaparelli or The landing zone of ARES 4. 


It is the same place

300

How long has Mark planned to complete the 58 day trip ? 

100 days

400

What is The HAB ? 

An artificial habitat where the astronauts live.

400

Give 1 reason that Mindy Parks thinks that Watney is still alive. 

Any of these answers will be acceptable:

The solar cells are cleaned off

The Pop Up tents have been opened

The Rover has been moved

The MDv and the MAV have been disassembled

400

How long does it take a message to get from Watney to Earth and then back to Watney with an answer ? 

11 minutes 1 way but the question is asking for a round trip message time which will be a minimum of 22 minutes.

400

How does Mark get the airlock closer to the HAB ? 

He throws his body against the walls of the airlock and rolls the airlock until it is closer to the HAB. 

400

What does he have to do to the Rovers ? 

He has to attach them together by drilling 760 holes. 

400

What happens when Mark enters the crater Schiaparelli ? 

He drives off the ridge and crashes. The Rover rolls, the trailer flips upside down, and the solar cells are scattered. 

500
Describe Watney's current situation.

Answers will vary

500

Explain the importance of this Mark Watney quote:

"What do you know ? I'm in command".

Answers will vary

Because he was the lowest member of the crew, he could only be in command if everyone else was gone. They are all gone. He is alone but he is in command. 

500

Explain how Watney communicates with Morse code.

He uses rocks to form the dots and dashes of the letters. NASA sees his messages on satellite pictures. 

500

Describe a situation where MARS has tried to defeat Mark Watney. 

Answers will vary but any situation where Mark's life has been in danger will give credit for the answer

500

The Pathfinder can no longer communicate with NASA. Describe what happened. 

While Mark was drilling holes in the Rovers, the drill shorted out. This short caused a reaction with Mylar balloons used to send Pathfinder to the surface of MARS. The Mylar created a surge of power through the Pathfinder and melted the wires. 

500

He has the opportunity to visit a very important NASA site when he goes off course. What site is it ? 

The site of the Rover Opportunity