Junior/Senior Division Current Events Round 1 2013-2014 Local
Tournament Questions
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1. National News and Politics On August 7, President Obama
canceled a planned summit meeting to discuss arms control, missile
defense, Syria, trade and human rights. The immediate cause was
Russias decision to grant temporary asylum to Edward J. Snowden.
Who was the person that President Obama cancelled on? A.Vladimir
Putin B.Sergey V. Lavrov C.Dmitry Medvedev D.Alexander Novak
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2. Science/Technology NASA spacecraft has made an
out-of-this-world achievement! This spacecraft has become the first
object made by people to travel into interstellar space. Launched
in September 1977, the 36-year- old probe has equipment considered
low technology by todays standards. Its computers have much less
memory than a smart phone. What is the name of the spacecraft?
A.Voyager 1 B.Apollo 3 C.Explorer 1 D.Gemini 1
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3. National News and Politics In September, an economist of
national fame, Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton,
President of Harvard and Director of President Obamas National
Economic Council, withdrew his name from being considered as the
head of the Federal Reserve Board. Who is he? A.Ray Dolby B.Timothy
Geithner C.Ben Bernanke D.Larry Summers
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4. People in the News The longest-serving British Prime
Minister of the 20th Century died at 87 of a stroke. On April 17,
2013, this person was buried in the largest funeral production
since that of Winston Churchill, half a century before. Among the
honors accorded to her was a gun salute from the Tower of London
every minute, a military band playing, and the silence of the Big
Ben bells. Who was she? A.Angela Merkel B.Barbara Boxer C.Margaret
Thatcher D.Olivia Snowe
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5. Sports On June 20, the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs
for a 95-88 victory in Game 7 of the N.B.A. finals. Which player
shot an 18- footer, then a pair of free throws, to win the game?
A.Dwayne Wade B.Chris Bosch C.LeBron James D.Shane Battier
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6. International News and Politics On February 11, 2013, the
former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger announced his retirement, becoming
the first Pope to do so since 1415. He cited advancing age and a
growing physical weakness as his reasons for retirement. Which pope
retired? A.Benedict XVI B.John XXIII C.Innocent II D.Pius X
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7. International News and Politics On July 12, 2013, Malala
Yousafzai gave a speech at the United Nations headquarters in New
York City. It was her sixteenth birthday and the first time she had
spoken publicly since being attacked by the Taliban. In her speech,
she called on world leaders to make sure that A.The Taliban is
disbanded. B.Pakistan receives humanitarian aid for families.
C.Every child has the opportunity to go to school. D.Girls receive
job training.
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8. National News and Politics She is the first female governor
of New Mexico in the states 100-year history. Her heritage also
makes her the first Latino, or Hispanic female, governor in the
United States. Who is she? A.Sonia Sotomayer B.Susana Martinez
C.Valeria Perez D.Ana Rodriquez
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9. Science and Technology Scientists often find new species of
plants and insects, but finding a new mammal is rare. Dr. Kristofer
Helgen was the main scientist who discovered the new mammal. The
scientists named it olinguito (ohlinGEEtoh) because it looks
similar to an animal called the olingo. Dr. Helgen has identified
other new animal species, but he says that this is his most
important discovery. Where did he find this new species?
A.Madagascar B.The cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador C.The
Amazon rain forest D.A temperate rain forest in Canada
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10. People in the News This self-proclaimed queen of Southern
cooking faced criticism over admissions made in a deposition about
workplace discrimination. She admitted that she had used racial
epithets. On June 21, the Food Network dropped her shows and
several of her sponsors followed suit. The case was eventually
thrown out. Who is this celebrity chef? A.Rachael Ray B.Ree
Drummond C.Paula Deen D.Nathalie Dupree
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Extra: Sports This American heavyweight boxer and WBC world
heavyweight champion died in September 2013 at age 70. He was best
known for his 12-round victory over Muhammad Ali when he famously
broke Ali's jaw. Who is he? A.George Forman B.Ken Norton C.Jack
Lomax D.Larry Holmes