Elementary/Middle
Division
Current Events
Round 2
2013-2014 Local Tournament Questions
1. International News and Politics
On January 16, 2013, at least 41 engineers working
at a British Petroleum (B.P.) gas field were taken
hostage by Islamist militants in this country. Among
the hostages were several U.S. citizens. A raid on
the site where the hostages were being held resulted
in the death of 3 of the 41 hostages including
Americans. Also, twenty-nine of the estimated 60
militants were killed and 3 militants were captured.
In which country did this hostage situation occur?
A.
Syria
B.
C.
D.
Pakistan
Algeria
Afghanistan
2. Sports
A.
B.
C.
D.
Excitement in New Orleans centered on the Mardi
Gras and Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore
Ravens beating the San Francisco 49ers by the
score of 34-31. More excitement happened during
the game when an unprecedented event occurred.
What problem occurred during the 2013 Super
Bowl?
Costume failure of the halftime entertainers
Wildlife got loose on the field & 20 minute chase to
corral the animals
Thirty-four minute blackout of the stadium
Water bottles were thrown on the field in protest of
a major penalty call
3. International News and Politics
On March 8 the United Nations unanimously passed
strict sanctions against this country in reaction to this
country’s nuclear test in February. Its President
promised to launch a “preemptive nuclear attack
against the United States”. On March 29 the U.S.
responded with continued military drills, deployment
of F-22 Stealth Fighter Jets, B-2, and B-52 bombers
to the region. What country’s nuclear tests caused
this U.N. and U.S. reaction?
A.
North Korea
B.
C.
D.
Egypt
Syria
China
4. Disasters
A mile wide tornado devastated several cities in
Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. The tornado
flattened Plaza Towers Elementary School. It
was on the ground for 40 minutes and killed 24
people including elementary students. In which
city was the most devastation, including
destroying Plaza Towers Elementary School?
A.
Moore, Oklahoma
B.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
C.
New Castle, Oklahoma
D.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
5. People in the News
One of NASA’s original seven astronauts died in
October at age 87. He was the ground
commander when the first American orbited
earth. Later when he orbited the earth, he
landed 300 miles off course. Who was he?
A.
Phillip Roth
B.
John Glenn
C.
Scott Carpenter
D.
Buzz Aldrin
6. Disasters
A large building housing several clothing
factories collapsed killing at least 377 people.
The building is known as Rana Plaza. The
factories make clothing for European and
American retailers such as Cato Fashions and
J.C. Penney’s. In which country is Rana Plaza
located?
A.
China
B.
Taiwan
C.
Pakistan
D.
Bangladesh
7. Sports
In September this marathon swimmer swam
from Cuba to the Florida Keys, a distance of
110 miles. It was the fifth attempt by this
swimmer to accomplish this goal. Afterwards
many marathon swimmers questioned the
validity of the accomplishment. Who is this
swimmer?
A.
Henrik Stenson
B.
Diana Nyad
C.
Betty Mages
D.
Mark Spitz
8. National News and Politics
Tamarian Tsarmaev and his younger brother,
Dzhokhar, set off two bombs at the finish line of the
Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. After the
release of photos and video clips of the suspects,
they were identified and found. Dzhokhar was
taken into custody, while his brother was killed.
What type of bombs did the brothers use?
A. Fertilizer Bombs
B. Pipe Bombs
C. Pressure Cooker Bombs
D. Back Pack Bombs
9. Disasters
Where’s Nemo? Two areas of low pressure collided to
create Winter Storm Nemo sometimes referred to as
the Blizzard of 2013. Winter Storm Nemo struck the
U.S. on February 8, 2013, dropping between 24-40
inches of snow hurricane-like winds and flooding. At
least 18 people are killed in the storm.. Which area of
the United States was crippled by this blizzard?
A.
North West and Alaska
B.
Rockies
C.
South West
D.
North East
10. Science and Business
The Washington Post has distinguished itself through
its political reporting on the workings of the White
House, Congress, and other aspects of the U.S.
government. Its reporting helped topple a president and
inspired a generation of journalists On August 5 The
Post shocked the industry by announcing that it is being
sold for $250 million to the founder of Amazon, who had
never expressed an interest in journalism. Who is this
CEO?
A.
Bill Gates
B.
Jeffrey Bezos
C.
Jack Dorsey
D.
Yun Jong-Yong
Extra: National News and Politics
In August, amid much controversy and as a new school
year begins, United States public school students and
teachers in 45 states are beginning to implement a new
program designed to raise student test scores. What is
this new program?
A.
B.
C.
D.
No Child Left Behind
Race to the Top
Common Core State Standards
Stanford 9 Achievement Test