1. Elementary/Middle Division Current Events Round 1 2015 - 2016 Local Tournament Questions

2. 1. National News and Politics John A. Boehner, an Ohio barkeeper’s son who rode a conservative wave to one of the highest positions in government, said on September 25 that he would relinquish his gavel and resign from Congress. What position did he hold? A. House Speaker; Democrat B. House Speaker; Republican C. Senate Majority Leader; Democrat D. Senate Majority Leader; Republican

3. 2. People in the News The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on October 9 to a coalition in which country for “its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy.”? It is the one country that has seen relative success in the struggle for democracy and human rights after the Arab Spring uprisings five years ago. A. Egypt B. Libya C. Syria D. Tunisia

4. 3. Science/Technology The first genetically altered animal to be cleared for American supermarkets and dinner tables was approved on November 19 by Federal regulators. Which genetically altered animal was approved for human consumption? A. eel B. salmon C. scallop D tuna

5. 4. Entertainment The Oscar winner for Best Picture of the Year at the 87 th Annual Academy awards was: A. American Sniper B. Birdman C. The Imitation Game D. The Theory of Everything

6. 5. International News and Politics Scores of French police officers conducted a raid outside of Paris on November 18, killing a Belgian suspected of organizing the deadly attacks in Paris by the Islamic State. Who was the terrorist killed by French police? A. Abdelhamid Abbaoud B. Mohammad Atta D. Chérif Kouachi D. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

7. 6. Disasters In March 2015, what was the name of the category five cyclone named the “worst natural disaster to hit the South Pacific” made a direct hit on the island of Vanuatu? A. Cheryl B. Diane C. Pam D. Ophelia

8. 7. Science/Technology As this spacecraft reached Pluto in 2015, it confirmed the presence of nitrogen and methane ice. What is the name of this spacecraft? A. New Horizons B. New Frontier C. Deep Space Orbiter D. Mercury Rising

9. 8. International News and Politics Cuba and the United States have agreed to open embassies in Havana and Washington, D.C. for the first time since what year? A. 1951 B. 1960 C. 1961 D. 1963

10. 9. People in the News Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to her second child in May 2015. The new princess is fourth in line to succeed her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. What is the new princess’s name? A. Caroline B. Elizabeth C. Diana D. Charlotte

11. 10. Sports This American scored the first hat trick in the history of Women's World Cup, scoring three goals in the first fifteen minutes of the game. Who is she? A. Mia Hamm B. Carli Lloyd C. Serena Williams D. Lindsey Vonn