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Elementary/Middle Division Current Events Round 1. 2013 - 2014 Local Tournament Questions. 1. Sports. In September 2013, Rafael Nadal won the United States Open Tennis Tournament, his 60 th tournament victory. Rafael Nadal is from which country? A. Italy B. Spain C. Russia
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Elementary/Middle DivisionCurrent EventsRound 1 2013 - 2014 Local Tournament Questions
1. Sports In September 2013, Rafael Nadal won the United States Open Tennis Tournament, his 60th tournament victory. Rafael Nadal is from which country? A. Italy B. Spain C. Russia D. United States
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 today’s 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
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 Obama’s 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
4. Disasters The massive flooding gave rise to an equally massive search-and-rescue effort. The National Guard along with police, firefighters, and paramedics braved the conditions to rescue those trapped by the rising water. Rescuers saved nearly 3,500 people, carrying many to safety by helicopter. Nine people died in the floods, but more than 1,000 people who were missing have been found. Where did this disaster occur? A. California B. Colorado C. Iowa D. New Orleans
5. 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
6. Entertainment This year Monopoly, which has been around for nearly 80 years and is the best-selling board game in the world, decided to update its playing tokens. Voting took place via Facebook and spurred intense online interest, A total of five new pieces were possible choices. These choices were a diamond ring, a guitar, a cat, a helicopter, and a robot. Which token won? A. Diamond ring B. Robot C. Guitar D. Cat
7. 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
8. International News and Politics On July 12, 2013, MalalaYousafzai 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.
9. National News and Politics She is the first female governor of New Mexico in the state’s 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
10. Science and Technology Scientists often find new species of plants and insects, but finding a new mammal is rare. Dr. KristoferHelgenwas the main scientist who discovered the new mammal. The scientists named it olinguito (oh•lin•GEE•toh) because it looks similar to an animal called the olingo. Dr. Helgenhas 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
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