CEC SEMESTER #1--Fall ‘10----Multiple Choice: Choose the best possible answer to each question.
1. In an address to the nation this fall, President Obama announced the end of U.S. combat role where?
A. Iraq B. Afghanistan C. Iran D. Cuba
2. Long thought to have been eradicated, what insect made a comeback last summer and fall?
A. bedbugs B. silver fly C. mite D. wood tick
3. In what country did an international drama play out in late summer when 33 miners were trapped for 69
days before a dramatic rescue brought them out safely?
A. Portugal B. Brazil C. Chile D. Cuba
4. After nine months of turmoil over his extramarital affairs, what athlete in August became officially
divorced from his wife after six years of marriage?
A. Nolan Ryan B. Tiger Woods C. Tom Brady D. Derek Jeter
5. What former governor was convicted of lying to federal agents, but the jury deadlocked on the other
more serious charges? The state of Illinois plans to retry him on the charges he was acquitted of.
A. Tom Bradley B. Barry C. Harold Washington D. Rod Blagojevich
6. The First Amendment's “Freedom of Expression” covers a lot of forms of expression. An appeals court
expanded its protection to include this challenge from a Hermosa Beach, California case?
A. hair length B. auto's paint job C. wearing a hat D. tattoos
7. A Florida pastor of a small, fringe church created quite a controversy leading up to the anniversary of the
9/11 attacks this fall. How did he threaten to protest the Muslim attacks on New York City?
A. sell photos of dead 9/11 hijackers B. burn the Prophet Muhammad in effigy
C. burn copies of the Qur'an D. build a bridge to honor the 9/11 hijackers
8. What exploded in suburban San Francisco in September, killing six and injuring nearly 60 people and
causing concerns of their safety across the country?
A. gas pipeline B. water tower C. oil pipeline D. hydrogen
9. Because of the cheating he admitted to led to NCAA sanctions on the University of Southern California,
who became the first player in college football history to forfeit the Heisman Trophy?
A. O.J. Mayo B. Reggie Bush C. Eddie George D. Vince Young
10. Using a formula of economic measurements, a group of U.S. economists declared what type of
economic slowdown had actually ended a year ago despite the continued economic pain?
A. depression B. prosperity C. recession D. downturn
11. What planet was visible in the night sky in September? It made its closest orbit to the Earth since 1963
and will not be that close again for 12 years.
A. Mars B. Jupiter C. Saturn D. Venus
12. In a controversial move, the FDA this fall approved the marketing of what fish, genetically engineered
to grow and reach maturity more quickly than its unmodified counterparts?
A. walleye B. shrimp C. tuna D. salmon
13. Which of the following did President Obama say is necessary to help American schoolchildren catch
their counterparts around the world in test scores?
A. more computers B. longer school year C. higher paid teachers D. more yearly testing
14. Once the dominant movie rental outlet in this country, what corporation announced that they had
applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this fall?
A. Ebay B. Video Action C. Blockbuster D. Netflix
15. What military policy, instituted during the Clinton Administration, did President Obama and the
congressional Democrats finally repeal in the lameduck congressional session despite being successfully
blocked by Republicans for most of the session?
A. “No co-inhabitation B. “sensitivity training” C. “Same-sex marriages” D. “Don't ask, don't tell”
16. What world leader addressed the United Nations in late-September and blamed capitalism for the
world's economic woes and suggested the U.S. was behind the 9/11 attacks on America, a plan to stimulate
the American economy?
A. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad B. Ali Khamenei C. Nouri al Maliki D. Hosni Mubarak
17. What was the first major league baseball team to clinch their division last fall, making it six division
titles in nine years? As they had also done in the past, they had a short postseason run.
A. Minnesota Twins B. Philadelphia Phillies C. New York Yankees D. Boston Red Sox
18. Over reports of children being injured on them, what toy company recalled 11 million toys, many of
which were their popular toddler trikes?
A. FAO Schwartz B. Wham-O C. Fischer- Price D. KB Toys
19. President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel resigned this fall to run for mayor of what city?
A. Chicago B. New York C. Los Angeles D. Boston
20. When two students secretly streamed an online video of a sexual encounter between a fellow male coed
and a male classmate, the 18-year-old committed suicide by jumping off a bridge. The story out of what
university became a national battle cry against ever growing hate crimes against gays?
A. Brown B. Yale C. Rutgers D. Harvard
21. What state passed a law this fall that reduced the penalty for the possession of marijuana to an
infraction similar to that for a speeding ticket?
A. Alaska B. California C. Oregon D. Massachusetts
22. The 2010 Nobel Prize in Medicine went Robert Edwards of Britain, an 85-year-old professor emeritus
at the University of Cambridge. Edwards developed what method of contraception?
A. gay marriage B. sperm banks C. in vitro fertilization D. cloning
23. After hearing Internet chatter, the State Department warned Americans traveling in what part of the
world to be vigilant about terrorist attacks this fall?
A. Europe B. Africa C. Central America D. Middle East
24. He was a talented actor who had a memorable career. He starred in one of the most acclaimed comedies
of all time, “Some Like It Hot”. Who is that Oscar-nominated actor who died at age 85?
A. Parnell Roberts B. Peter Graves C. Merlin Olson D. Tony Curtis
25. After hearing it was happening to thousands of Americans, the government began investigating reports
of outrageous denial of consumer rights when banks executed what function?
A. refinancing B. foreclosures C. overdrafts D. capitalization
26. With very little fanfare, President Obama set a new course for America's space program this fall. The
new focus of America's space program will be the exploration of what planet?
A. moon B. Mars C. the sun D. Jupiter
27. The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, currently in a Chinese prison, was who?
A. Shen Tong B. Liu Xiaobo C. Wei Jingsheng D. Wang Juntao
28. When the Minnesota Vikings struggled early in the year, they decided to bring back what former
Viking who had worn out his welcome elsewhere, as he did again after just a few games with the Vikings
who then released him.
A. Dante Culcupper B. Randall Cunningham C. Randall McDaniel D. Randy Moss
29. The Western Hemisphere's longest single-span concrete arch bridge and one of the tallest in the world
was dedicated this fall on the Colorado River near what landmark?
A. Hoover Dam B. Grand Canyon C. Beartooth Pass D. Snake River Canyon
30. Who became the second-youngest person to be named the Time Person of the Year in 2010?
A. Barrack Obama B. Mark Zuckerberg C. Bill Gates D. Brad Pitt
31. When what European country tried to increase the retirement age from 60 to 62, nationwide protests
erupted throughout the nation?
A. Great Britain B. France C. Belgium D. Poland
32. National Public Radio took a lot of heat this fall when they fired news analyst Juan Williams for his
comments that were perceived as anti-what, despite his honesty about how he felt boarding flights?
A. gay B. Muslim C. Jewish D. President Obama
33. Barbara Billingsley died this fall at age 94. She played the quintessential 1950's sitcom mom on what
television show?
A. Life of Riley B. Happy Days C. Andy Griffith D. Leave It to Beaver
34. Before the end of just his fourth season, who was fired as the football coach at the University of
Minnesota after showing few signs of improvement?
A. Tubby Smith B. Bobby Knight C. Tim Brewster D. Pete Haugen
35. Tom Bosley died of heart failure this fall at age 83. He was named by TV Guide as one of the greatest
TV dads of all time for his role on what television classic?
A. All in the Family B. Happy Days C. Leave It to Beaver D. M*A*S*H
36. Known for its muscle cars like the Trans Am, General Motors ended what division in the fall?
A. Pontiac B. Saturn C. Mercury D. GMC
37. Theodore C. Sorensen, the aide and alter ego to what popular president, died this fall from
complications of a stroke at age 82?
A. Abraham Lincoln B. Ronald Reagan C. Jimmy Carter D. John F. Kennedy
38. What team claimed their first World Series championship since 1954 by defeating the Texas Rangers in
5 games?
A. San Francisco Giants B. New York Mets C. L.A. Dodgers D. Colorado Rockies
39. San Francisco became the first major city to forbid restaurants from including what in children meals
that contain fatty foods?
A. French fries B. real beef C. toys D. chocolate
40. What man went from went from popular governor of the state of North Dakota to an easy election
victory to the U.S. Senate this fall?
A. Rick Berg B. Earl Pomeroy C. John Hoeven D. Kent Conrad
41. He was born in South Dakota and went on to become one of the greatest major league baseball
managers of all time, accumulating more than 2,000 victories and 3 World Series titles. What great baseball
man died at age 76 this fall?
A. Sparky Anderson B. Earl Weaver C. Billy Martin D. Bobby Cox
42. During the lameduck session of Congress, President Obama was able to convince senators to go along
with arms control treaty called START, an agreement that President Obama negotiated with what country?
A. Russia B. Iran C. China D. Canada
43. What was the name of the 952-foot cruise ship that was stranded on a trip to the Mexican Riviera after
an engine room fire? The 4,500 passengers were without power and hot food for several days.
A. Specter B. Sensation C. Splendor D. Sandman
44. Officials at the Fridley, Minnesota High School drew some heat from the animal rights organization
PETA when they used what animals in their basketball game fundraiser?
A. donkeys B. camels C. horses D. ostriches
45. What NFL quarterback did New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger accuse of “sexting”?
A. Tony Romo B. Donovon McNabb C. Carson Palmer D. Brett Farve
46. What U.S. corporation survived a year of disgrace and downsizing and had a record-setting initial
public offering, raising $23 billion, enough to pay back its loan from the government plus a profit?
A. General Motors B. Fanny Mae C. General Electric D. Ford
47. Travelers across the nation complained when the TSA begin requiring intrusive pat downs or what
other option before allowing passengers to board their planes during holiday travel?
A. water boarding B. lie detectors C. full body scans D. interrogation
48. Barbara Murkowski became the first member of the U.S. Senate in more than 50 years to get elected to
the U.S. Senate with a write-in campaign. The Tea Party and Republican Party of what state failed in their
attempt end her long Senate career?
A. Maine B. Washington C. Colorado D. Alaska
49. As they move towards a succession of leaders, what country made some aggressive moves in
November, flaunting their military capability and attacking an island owned by their neighbor?
A. Iraq B. North Korea C. China D. Iran
50. What 34-year-old actor was named People magazine's “Sexist Man Alive”?
A. Ryan Reynolds B. Vin Diesel C. Jon Hamm D. Kellen Lutz
51. What heir to the throne of England announced in November that he would wed his long-time girlfriend
and commoner Kate Middleton next summer?
A. Prince Charles B. Prince Harry C. Prince William D. Prince Phillip
52. A runner-up several times, who was finally named the American League Manager of the Year?
A. Ron Gardenhire B. Joe Torre C. Tim Brewster D. Tom Kelly
53. What is the name of the representative who became the just the 23rd member in history to be censured
by the House of Representatives?
A. Earl Pomeroy B. Nancy Pelosci C. Sarah Palin D. Charles Rangel
54. Julian Assange became one of the most-hated men in the world when he released highly sensitive
classified documents that embarrassed world leaders. He got the information from a former state
department employee who hacked government sites. What was the name of his renegade website?
A. Wikileaks B. Bankibooks C. TackyTidbits D. Mockyhoops
55. What famed member of the first Monday Night Football broadcasting team died in December at 72?
A. Keith Jacksson B. Don Meredith C. Howard Cosell D. Frank Gifford
56. After playing the role on television for years, what actor was named an honorary member of the famed
law enforcement group known as the Texas Rangers in December?
A. Sean Connery B. Clint Eastwood C. Sidney Poitier D. Chuck Norris
57. Who was named the new football coach at the University of Minnesota?
A. Jerry Kill B. Mike Leech C. Tim Brewster D. Craig Bohl
58. What NFL team during a 3-game stretch had their stadium's roof collapse that forced a home game to
be moved to another team's stadium, then played a game at their college's outdoor stadium, followed by a
storm in the east that forced their next game to be moved to a rare Tuesday night?
A. Seattle Seahawks B. Philadelphia Eagles C. Chicago Bears D. Minnesota Vikings
59. Who survived a close election and a recount to become the governor of Minnesota?
A. Mark Dayton B. Tom Emmer C. Mark Taylor D. Paul Marquart
60. An eight-year saga ended when street preacher Brain David Mitchell was convicted this fall of the
kidnapping of what teenager back in 2002?
A. Mary Albright B. Sarah Mortenson C. Elizabeth Smart D. Jana Bright
61. She closely advised her husband in his two bids for the presidency and advocated for health care even
as her own health and marriage deteriorated publicly. What 61-year-old woman died while surrounded by
her family in North Carolina in December after a six-year battle with cancer?
A. Lhasa de Sela B. Casey Johnson C. Elizabeth Edwards D. Allison Tross
62. What NFL quarterback's starting streak ended this year this season after an incredible 287 consecutive
starts?
A. Troy Aikman B. Brett Farve C. Tom Brady D. Peyton Manning
63. What political party dominated the off year elections last fall; winning in Congress, governorships, and
state houses throughout the nation?
A. Democrats B. Republicans C. Libertarians D. Independents
64. What college women's basketball team broke the legendary UCLA record of the 1970's when they won
their 89th consecutive game this fall? The streak was later stopped at 90.
A. Connecticut B. Stanford C. Purdue D. Rutgers