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Trivia Bowl 2018 Q & A

AAJA-LA Trivia Bowl Questions & Answers

ROUND ONE: Current Events and History

  1. Everyone is familiar with the First and Second Amendments in the Bill of Rights, but what does the Third Amendment address?

            “Quartering of Soldiers” or No Quartering of Soldiers

  1. Formerly a royal palace, what 200-year old museum suffered a devastating fire on September 2nd, destroying most of the artifacts inside?

Brasil National Museum in Rio de Janeiro (or National Museum of Brazil, Brazil’s National Museum)

  1. In response to the Parkland, FL shooting, Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, and other student activists founded what movement?

            Never Again Movement

  1. In May, a group of Asian-Americans sued what university, claiming decades of discrimination in the university’s admission process?

            Harvard

  1. In July, what two neighboring East African countries signed a historic peace deal ending decades of hostilities?

Ethiopia and Eritrea

  1. Hundreds of Uighurs have been detained in China. The Uighurs belong to what minority group?

            Sunni Muslim (accept just Muslim)

  1. On August 24 2018, who replaced Malcom Trumbull to become the 30th Prime Minister of Australia?

Scott Morrison

  1. Name the doctor who bravely testified against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

            Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

  1. Volkswagen has announced it will discontinue production of what car model in 2019?

            The VW Beetle (accept Bug)

  1. This year, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois became the first Senator to ever to do what while in office?

            Give Birth (Have a Baby)

  1. A United Nations report condemned President Daniel Ortega for violently repressing and persecuting protestors. Ortega is president of what Central American country?

            Nicaragua

  1. One of China’s most famous actresses disappeared earlier this June before re-emerging in public this October to apologize for tax evasion. Name this actress.

Fan Bingbing

  1. In September, Columbia Gas was responsible for a series of fires and explosions in neighborhoods just north of which state capital?

            Boston

  1. Upon marrying Prince Harry Windsor, Megan Markle received what noble title?

Duchess of Sussex (Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex)

  1. On June 26th, incumbent representative Joseph Crowley of New York lost the Democratic primary to what 28-year old Democratic Socialist?

            Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

  1. Amid accusations of ethics violations in July, Scott Pruitt resigned as the administrator of what Agency?

            EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

  1. Elaine Chao was the Secretary of Labor under George W. Bush and the first Asian-American woman to serve in the Cabinet. She is now the Secretary of what department under the Trump administration?

            Transportation

  1. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, a Jewish scientist, became what international city’s first elected female mayor?

            Mexico City

  1. In September, India’s Supreme Court overturned what 157-year old colonial law?

            Illegal gay sex (they legalized gay sex)

  1. Speaking of progressive victories, what European country repealed one of the world’s most restrictive abortion bans earlier this year?

            Ireland

ROUND TWO: Sports and California

  1. After winning the 2018 World Cup, French manager Didier Deschamps became only the third person to accomplish what feat?

            Win World Cup as both manager (coach) and player

  1. Napoleon Jinnies, Quinton Peron, and Jesse Herandez became the NFL’s first male cheerleaders. They debuted this fall with which two teams?

            Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints

  1. Previously known as “California Screamin”, what is the name of Disney California Adventure’s roller coaster as of the June 2018 launch of Pixar Pier?

            The Incredicoaster (themed for The Incredibles)

  1. The iconic Don the Beachcomber in Huntington Beach closed earlier this year. Don the Beachcomber was what type of bar?

            Tiki bar

  1. In August, California’s state legislature sent a bill to Governor Jerry Brown to extend California’s last call time. What is the proposed last call time?

            4 a.m.

  1. Having been with the station since 1984, who is the Chief Meteorologist at KABC-TV (ABC 7) in Los Angeles?

            Dallas Raines

  1. What was the name of Jonathan Gold’s column, which began in 1986 and was eventually compiled and published as a book? (May he rest in peace)

            Counter Intelligence

  1. Speaking of the late Jonathan Gold, name 3 of the top 10 restaurants on Jonathan’s last 101 Best Restaurants List, published in late 2017.

            Vespertine, Providence, Spago, Lukshon, Taco Maria, Spring, Trois Mec, Cassia, Mozzaplex, Rossoblu

  1. Which Los Angeles Angels rookie phenom became the first player since Babe Ruth to pitch 50 innings and hit 15 homers in a single season?

            Shohei Ohtani

  1. What 18-year old snowboarding gold medalist became the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s?

            Chloe Kim

  1. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, what country earned the most medals? We’re asking about total medal count, not just gold medal count.

            Norway

  1. In 1967, the NHL expanded from 6 teams to 12, including the Los Angeles Kings and what no longer active California Team?

            Oakland Seals (also: California Seals, California Golden Seals, Bay Area Seals)

  1. The Castaic area in north Los Angeles County was victim to a 3,000 acre brush fire known by what name?

            Charlie Fire

  1. Who defeated Serena Williams on September 8, 2018, to win the U.S. Open?

            Naomi Osaka

  1. After winning the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, Son Heung-min and the South Korean national team earned themselves exemptions from what?

            Military service

  1. Traveling South on Highland in Hollywood, put the following intersections in the correct order: Melrose, Sunset, Hollywood, Fountain. (Repeat this one three times to give teams extra time!)

            Hollywood, Sunset, Fountain, Melrose.

  1. Lebron James has come to the Lakers, but before doing so, he opened his inaugural I Promise School for at-risk youth. Name the city in which James opened his school.

            Akron, Ohio (James’ hometown)

  1. In the last few years, droughts and the activities of Mexican cartels have resulted in shortages of what ubiquitous LA street taco item?

            Limes

  1. To pay respects to Saman Gunan after his death, 11 of the 12 members of what group were ordained as Buddhist novice monks?

            Wild Boars Soccer Team (accept Thai Boys Soccer Team or Thai Cave Rescue Soccer Team – Saman was the ex-NAvy Seal who died during rescue operations)

  1. Born in San Mateo, California, who is the oldest active NFL player at any position other than kicker?

            Tom Brady

ROUND THREE: Science, Technology, Geography and Literature

  1. What political data firm, hired by Trump’s 2016 election campaign, gained access to 50 million Facebook users’ private information?

            Cambridge Analytica

  1. Which former US president teamed up with James Patterson to write the thriller novel “The President is Missing”?

            Bill Clinton

  1. In a seminal essay on 1960’s Haight-Ashbury counterculture, Joan Didion famously witnessed a 5-year old tripping on acid. Name the title of this essay, derived from the Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming.”

            Slouching Towards Bethlehem

  1. At 87 days long, Southern California recently had its longest consecutive streak of what?

            Smog (accept bad air)

  1. The invasive species of what type of insect has moved rapidly across Southern California? Recent species include the aedes albopictus and the aedes aegyptai.

            Mosquitos

  1. At 4,751 square miles, LA County is roughly 4 times the area of what U.S. State?

            Rhode Island (1,212 Square Miles)

  1. What is the largest state park in California?

            Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

  1. With the approach of Hurricane Florence, reports surfaced that FEMA tracks the closures of what restaurant chain as an index for the severity of storms?

            Waffle House

  1. What Andrew Sean Greer novel won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction?

            Less

  1. The success of Crazy Rich Asians has already prompted Warner Bros. to greenlight the sequel. What is the name of the second book in Kevin Kwan’s trilogy?

            China Rich Girlfriend

  1. “Pie” is the name of the latest version of what operating system, released on August 6th, 2018?

            Android (Android 9 Pie)

  1. The Fermi Paradox is a scientific concept that describes the contradiction between the high probability but the lack of evidence of what in the universe?

            Aliens (Intelligent Life, Extra-terrestrials)

  1. What Southern actresses’ 2018 cookbook is titled “Whiskey in a Teacup?”

            Reese Witherspoon

  1. In July, authorities in the E.U. assessed a $5.1 billion fine in an anti-trust case against what tech giant?

            Google

  1. Scientists have found conclusive evidence of the presence of a large body of liquid water, located underground on what planet?

            Mars

  1. The destructive lava eruption of Kilauea Volcano occurred on which Hawaiian island?

            Big Island

  1. Credited to Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu and written over 1000 years ago, what is considered the world’s first full-length novel?

            The Tale of Genji (源氏物語 Genji Monogatari)

  1. After the author’s tragic death, what 2000 book became the New York Times Non-Fiction Best-Seller for the weeks of June 24th-July 8th?

            Kitchen Confidential (Anthony Bourdain)

  1. China recently unveiled the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge between Hong Kong and what gambling city?

            Macau

  1. To protest the proliferation of electric scooters, fed-up locals have been vandalizing scooters and setting them on fire. Name this scooter company, founded in Santa Monica, located in Venice, and ubiquitous in West LA.

            Bird (Lime was founded in San Mateo)

ROUND FOUR: Pop Culture, Arts and Entertainment

  1. Ending a twenty-year gap following the series finale in May 1998, what Candice Bergen show returned to TV on September 27th on CBS?

            Murphy Brown

  1. While running for governor, Cynthia Nixon notoriously ordered lox and cheese on what type of bagel? Her order would come to be known as #BagelGate

            Cinnamon raisin

  1. What rapper made headlines when she threw a shoe at rival Nicki Minaj while attending the Harper’s Bazaar New York Fashion Week party?

            Cardi B

  1. After a whirlwind romance, Ariana Grande and what SNL cast member have ended their engagement?

            Pete Davidson

  1. In a temporary exhibit titled “Imagination Unlimited”, the history, writing, and Muppets of Jim Henson were displayed at what Los Angeles museum?

            The Skirball Center

  1. According to Forbes’ June 2018 list, who is currently the highest paid actress in the world?

            Scarlett Johansson

  1. Although she had a co-host, who was the first woman to host the Emmy Awards in 1951?

            Lucille Ball (she co-hosted with Desi Arnaz)

  1. Sandra Oh became the first Asian woman nominated for an Emmy for Lead in a Drama Series. Name that series.

            Killing Eve

  1. What recently popularized genre of video game includes titles like Fortnight and shares its name with a Japanese dystopian film?

            Battle Royale

  1. The Academy Awards proposed adding a new category to the 2019 Oscars ceremony, but shelved the idea after immense backlash. Name this category.

            Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film (Best Popular Film)

  1. All five of Lara Jean Covey’s crushes accidentally receive letters confessing her love to them in what 2018 Netflix rom-com?

            To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

  1. In Black Panther, what fictional metal powers the technology and country of Wakanda?

            Vibranium

  1. In July 2018, Marjorie Liu became the first woman to win the Best Writer Eisner Award for which comic book series?

            Monstress

  1. “Slow Hands,” “Sign of the Times,” “Familiar,” “Dusk Till Dawn,” and “Back to You” are all singles released in the last two years by former members of what group?

            One Direction

  1. What is the highest-grossing movie of 2018 that is not a sequel, prequel, or part of a series or universe of any kind?

            A Quiet Place

  1. What musical, about Egyptian musicians stranded in Isreal, won 10 Tony Awards in 2018, including “Best Musical”?

            The Band’s Visit

  1. Musician Nick Jonas became engaged to what television star this year, traveling to her home country to share in traditional engagement ceremonies?

            Priyanka Chopra

  1. Vietnamese-American actress Kelly Marie Tran appeared in The Last Jedi as what character?

            Rose Tico (accept just Rose)

  1. Crazy Rich Asians is the first Asian-led studio-backed Hollywood film since what 1993 drama?

            Joy Luck Club

  1. And finally, to round out the year in Asian-American accomplishments, John Cho stars in Aneesh Chaganty’s thriller Searching. In the film, who is John Cho’s character searching for?

            Margot

SUDDEN DEATH

  1. Baba ghanoush is traditionally made with what vegetable as the primary ingredient?

            Eggplant

  1. Who was the 15th president of the United States, the only president to remain a lifelong bachelor?

            James Buchanan

  1. Over 16 years after the death of singer and founding member Layne Staley, what Seattle grunge band released their sixth album in August, titled Rainier Fog?

Alice in Chains

  1. Percival, Wulfric, Brian are the middle names of what central character in the Harry Potter seires?

            Albus Dumbledore

  1. On the 70th anniversary of the formation of Israel, the US Embassy was formally moved from what city to what other city? Name both cities.

            (From) Tel Aviv, (To) Jerusalem

  1. According to the LA City Council, Koreatown is bounded by Olympic Blvd on the south and Third Street on the north. Name the two streets that form the east and west boundaries.

            Vermont (east) and Western (west)

  1. On May 9th, California Energy Commission voted unanimously to require all new homes to have what?

            Solar Panels (accept Solar Energy, Solar Power, etc)

  1. Drawing confusion and criticism when he began appearing in Sprint commercials, Paul Marcarelli originally became a pop culture icon thanks to his commercial work for what company?

Verizon (He’s the “Can you hear me now?” Guy)

  1. Give one of the two names used by William Shakespeare’s Theatre Company.

            The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Under Elizabeth I), and The King’s Men (Under James VI)

  1. In a 1995 episode, which member of the Simpsons family decided to become vegetarian, which they have canonically remained ever since?

Lisa

  1. Name the Asian man who was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Kumail Nanjiani (for The Big Sick)

  1. What East Coast city was previously home to the NHL teams the Flames and the Thrashers?

Atlanta

  1. Who is credited with establishing the first Norse settlement on Greenland?

Erik the Red / Erik Thorvaldsson

  1. Also known as bio sonar, what is the common term for the ability used by dolphins to navigate their environments?

Echolocation

  1. Three British movies starring Simon Pegg and directed by Edgar Wright are often referred to as the “Cornetto Trilogy.” Name one of these films.

Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End

  1. Under the current format, how many playoff games must be won for an NBA team to win the NBA Championship?

16 (they must win four best-of-seven series)

  1. “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede famously appeared in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, but it also features in what Quentin Tarantino film?

Reservoir Dogs

  1. Of Paul McCartney’s 18 solo albums, which is the only one to debut at number one on the US Billboard charts?

Egypt Station (released September 7, 2018)

  1. In Sichuan cuisine, what does the word “mala” refer to?

Numbing spicy

  1. In Ali Wong’s 2016 Netflix special Baby Cobra she famously jokes: “Women should challenge ourselves to sit at the table and rise to the top … Well, I don’t want to lean in, okay? I want to” do what?

Lie down