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Quizzes > Movies

The Martian movie questions: Can You Survive on Mars?

Quick, free Mars survival quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Tiffany AtkinsUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art cutout astronaut Mars landscape question marks on golden yellow background promoting The Martian movie quiz

This The Martian quiz helps you test what you remember about the mission, the science, and Mark Watney's choices on Mars. Answer quick questions to spot what you missed before a rewatch or class. When you finish, try our Interstellar quiz or take the Apollo 13 quiz to keep your space streak going.

Who stars as astronaut Mark Watney in The Martian?
Matt Damon
Tom Hanks
Chris Pratt
Channing Tatum
Matt Damon portrays astronaut Mark Watney, delivering a performance that balances humor with resilience under extreme conditions. His role anchors the film's narrative and emotional core. Critics and audiences alike praised his ability to convey both scientific ingenuity and human vulnerability. For more details, see .
On which planet is Mark Watney stranded?
The Moon
Jupiter
Mars
Venus
Mark Watney is stranded on Mars after a violent storm forces his crew to evacuate, believing him to be dead. The film's title and setting center on the hostile environment of the Red Planet. Everything he does to survive - growing food, generating water, and repairing equipment - is shaped by Mars's unique conditions. For more information, see .
What is Mark Watney's primary profession on the Ares 3 mission?
Engineer
Geologist
Botanist
Pilot
Mark Watney serves as the mission botanist, specializing in plant cultivation in extraterrestrial environments. His expertise allows him to grow potatoes in Martian soil, ensuring a food supply. The botanist role is critical to the film's central survival plot. NASA consulted real botanists to make this portrayal realistic. See .
Which author wrote the novel that the film is based on?
Isaac Asimov
Arthur C. Clarke
Andy Weir
Ray Bradbury
The Martian is adapted from Andy Weir's 2011 novel of the same name, which began as a serial on his website before becoming a bestseller. Weir's emphasis on scientific accuracy and problem-solving contributed to the story's popularity. The successful adaptation retained many of his technical details. For more background, see .
What crop does Mark Watney grow to survive on Mars?
Wheat
Potatoes
Corn
Soybeans
Using human waste for fertilizer and Martian soil, Watney successfully cultivates potatoes in the Hab's controlled environment. Potatoes were chosen due to their nutritional value and growth rate in the novel and film. This agricultural solution becomes central to his survival strategy. More detail is available at .
How does Mark Watney initially produce water in the Hab?
By electrolysis of carbon dioxide
By melting ice deposits
By condensing atmospheric moisture
By burning hydrazine
Watney decomposes hydrazine from rocket fuel to produce hydrogen, then combines it with oxygen to create water. This dangerous chemical process is portrayed accurately according to propellant chemistry. It showcases his ingenuity and risk management skills. For a deeper dive, see .
Which iconic line does Watney utter to motivate himself?
Houston, we have a problem.
May the Force be with you.
I'm going to have to science the shit out of this.
To infinity and beyond.
The phrase "I'm going to have to science the shit out of this" becomes Watney's rallying cry as he tackles each life-threatening challenge. It exemplifies the film's balance of humor and hard science. This line has since become a popular cultural reference to problem-solving. See .
Who directed the film The Martian?
Ridley Scott
Christopher Nolan
James Cameron
Steven Spielberg
Ridley Scott directed The Martian, bringing his experience with science fiction epics to the project. His vision emphasized realism in both visual effects and scientific detail. Scott's direction was widely praised for making the story both thrilling and emotionally engaging. More about his work is on .
What natural phenomenon forces the Ares 3 crew to abort their mission?
Dust storm
Earthquake
Volcanic eruption
Solar flare
A sudden and intense Martian dust storm threatens the Hab's structural integrity and health of the crew, leading to an evacuation. The film portrays the danger of high-velocity wind-driven dust on Mars. This event sets the main survival conflict in motion. Learn more at .
What is the name of the mission during which Watney is stranded?
Ares 2
Ares 5
Ares 4
Ares 3
The Ares program is NASA's fictional crewed Mars exploration series, and Watney is part of the Ares 3 mission. This identifier appears throughout mission logs and communications. It helps establish the timeline of events in both novel and film. For context, see .
What is the name of the spacecraft that carries the crew back to Earth?
Odyssey
Enterprise
Hermes
Endeavour
Hermes is the interplanetary vessel that transports the Ares 3 crew between Earth and Mars. It travels at high speed and serves as their home for months at a time. Its design includes artificial gravity via rotation. More technical details are on .
What is the name of the mission commander of Ares 3?
Beth Johanssen
Alex Vogel
Rick Martinez
Melissa Lewis
Melissa Lewis commands the Ares 3 mission, exhibiting strong leadership and loyalty to her crew. Her decision-making is critical during the storm and later when planning a rescue. She is portrayed by Jessica Chastain. More about the character is on .
Which NASA flight director leads the effort to rescue Watney?
Vincent Kapoor
Teddy Sanders
Mindy Park
Mitch Henderson
Mitch Henderson, the mission's flight director, coordinates technical planning and simulations to rescue Mark Watney. His role demonstrates NASA's collaborative effort in crisis management. The character's leadership underpins the rescue timeline. See for more.
After regaining communication, which rover does Watney use to communicate with NASA?
Spirit
Sojourner
Curiosity
Pathfinder
Watney locates and reactivates the Viking lander known as Pathfinder to establish communication. This mirrors how real NASA missions have used legacy hardware to extend communications. He rigs the system to send simple text messages back to Earth. More on the real Pathfinder mission at .
Who portrays NASA administrator Teddy Sanders?
Sean Bean
Jeff Daniels
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Benedict Wong
Jeff Daniels plays Teddy Sanders, the NASA administrator overseeing the mission and budgetary pressures. His character balances political realities with scientific imperatives. Daniels brings experience from roles in both drama and comedy to this part. For his filmography, see .
Who is the Director of Mars Operations responsible for planning Mark's rescue supplies?
Mindy Park
Mitch Henderson
Vincent Kapoor
Teddy Sanders
Vincent Kapoor leads Mars mission operations, including negotiating international support and devising the path to deliver supplies. His role showcases the logistical and diplomatic challenges of space exploration. The character was expanded from the novel for dramatic purposes. More at .
How does Watney extend the range of the rover for the journey to the Ares 4 site?
He reduces the vehicle weight
He installs a nuclear generator
He increases the solar panel angle
He connects a trailer of spare batteries
To travel 3200 kilometers to the Ares 4 MAV, Watney rigs a trailer loaded with extra battery modules, doubling his power capacity. This innovative solution reflects his resourcefulness and understanding of electronics. It also highlights the film's commitment to plausible engineering. Read more on ranged rover mods at .
What maneuver does the Hermes crew perform to return to Mars for the rescue?
Jupiter flyby
Earth gravity assist slingshot
Mars aerobraking
Direct thrust reversal
Hermes uses an Earth gravity assist maneuver, slingshotting around our planet to gain speed and change trajectory back toward Mars. This technique conserves fuel and is a staple of interplanetary mission design. The sequence in the film is based on real orbital mechanics. For more, see .
What causes the Hab to lose its structural integrity and require abandonment?
Electronics fire
Meteor strike
Solar flare
Oxygenator explosion causing overpressure
A malfunction in the Hab's oxygenator leads to a pressure spike, rupturing seams and creating toxic air. This forces Watney to evacuate and relocate to the MAV. The event underscores the fragility of life-support systems. More on habitat systems at .
Watney references a well-known adage when things go wrong aboard the Hab. Which law is it?
Boyle's Law
Ohm's Law
Murphy's Law
Newton's Law
Watney cites Murphy's Law - "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" - to justify multiple setbacks. This quip highlights the relentless challenges he faces on Mars. The film uses it to balance tension with humor. For more, see .
What is the name of the rocket that Watney uses to launch from Mars?
The Atlas V
The Gemini
The Falcon 9
The MAV
The Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) is the rocket designed to lift Watney into Mars orbit for rendezvous with Hermes. Its presence at the Ares 4 site is crucial for his rescue plan. The film shows the detailed assembly and fueling process. Details are at .
Which satellite imagery asset helps NASA locate Watney's habitat on Mars?
Cassini
Hubble Space Telescope
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Voyager 2
NASA uses high-resolution images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to pinpoint the Hab's location. MRO's Context Camera provides the necessary detail for rescue planning. This reflects real-world Mars imaging capabilities. Learn more at .
In what year is the majority of The Martian film set?
2040
2050
2025
2035
The film's timeline is set in 2035, situating the story two decades ahead to allow for advanced propulsion and life-support technologies. This setting gives plausibility to crewed Mars missions in the film's universe. The date appears in on-screen graphics and logs. See for references.
What type of orbital transfer does Hermes employ to return to Mars for the rescue mission?
Bi-elliptic transfer
Hohmann transfer orbit
Direct injection
Gravity assist only
Hermes uses a Hohmann transfer orbit, the most fuel-efficient way to travel between two circular orbits. This classical maneuver involves two engine impulses to shift from Earth to Mars trajectory. It's a staple of mission design for interplanetary travel. For technical details, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Survival Strategies -

    Assess key techniques Mark Watney uses to stay alive on Mars and understand the science behind each decision.

  2. Recall Critical Plot Details -

    Identify and explain major story events and character motivations from The Martian movie questions to test your memory.

  3. Interpret Worksheet Prompts -

    Navigate and respond to the martian movie worksheet challenges by breaking down each question for clarity.

  4. Compare Your Answers -

    Use the martian movie worksheet answers to evaluate your responses, spot mistakes, and deepen your understanding.

  5. Apply Scientific Concepts -

    Connect real-world science principles featured in The Martian to the scenarios presented in the quiz questions.

  6. Sharpen Reasoning Skills -

    Enhance critical thinking by solving martian movie quiz questions and strengthening your analytical approach.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Botanical Science: Martian Soil and Potato Cultivation -

    Review the photosynthesis equation (6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2) and how NASA's studies on perchlorate-rich regolith inform potato growth strategies. Use the mnemonic "S.N.A.P." (Soil, Nutrients, Atmosphere, Phosphorus) to recall vital factors when tackling the martian movie worksheet questions. This builds a solid foundation for any quiz section on botanics in The Martian.

  2. Hohmann Transfer Orbits: Getting to and from Mars -

    Understand the Hohmann transfer orbit delta-v formula (Δv = √(μ/r1)*(√(2r2/(r1+r2))−1) + √(μ/r2)*(1−√(2r1/(r1+r2)))) used for fuel calculations. Visualize Earth-to-Mars launch windows occurring every 26 months and practice deriving the synodic period to nail martian movie quiz questions on orbital mechanics. MIT's OpenCourseWare on astrodynamics is a great reference for these concepts.

  3. Life Support Systems: Ares III Mission Design -

    Familiarize yourself with closed-loop life support principles - water recycling, oxygen regeneration via electrolysis, and carbon dioxide scrubbing - as outlined by NASA's Advanced Life Support Program. When reviewing the martian movie worksheet answers, note how MAV modifications and habitat pressurization interplay to ensure crew survival. Recognizing these dependencies sharpens your answers on mission architecture.

  4. Martian Atmosphere and Environmental Hazards -

    Know Mars' thin CO2-dominant atmosphere (~0.6% of Earth's sea-level pressure) and temperature ranges (−125°C to 20°C) from NASA's Mars Facts. Link these stats to dust storms' impact on solar arrays and EVA suit design when confronted with the martian movie worksheet prompts. This dual focus on composition and hazards prepares you for any climate-related quiz item.

  5. Problem-Solving and Resilience Under Pressure -

    Study Mark Watney's use of the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) to systematically tackle life-or-death challenges. Cite examples like water-from-hydrazine or satellite battery improvisation to boost your confidence for martian movie questions on critical thinking. This storytelling approach strengthens your ability to link film scenarios with real-world engineering tactics.

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