1st and 3rd periods. In these periods, your team will choose a category and be read ten questions. After each response, the moderator will indicate whether or not it was correct. If you are incorrect, the other team will have a chance to answer.

Bonus Category: Common City Names

Each of the following answers is among the most common U.S. city names, according to nationmaster.com.

1. There are sixteen locales with this name, but which is the home of The Simpsons is a subject of debate.

answer: Springfield

2. This British University is the oldest in the English-speaking world. Cambridge comes in second.

answer: Oxford

3. In what Massachusetts town were there famous witch trials in 1692?

answer: Salem

4. The sixth-most populous English city, a soccer team based here is known as the "United".

answer: Manchester [and of course, they would refer to soccer as "football"]

5. Known as the "shot heard around the world", this Revolutionary War battle and hostilities at its neighbor Concord began the conflict in 1775.

answer: Lexington

6. Known as "The Garden", it is the home arena of the New York Rangers.

answer: Madison Square Garden

7. Who released an autobiography in 2004 entitled My Life?

answer: (William Jefferson) Bill Clinton

8. He was the first African-American character in the comic strip Peanuts, and was introduced as a friend of Peppermint Patty.

answer: Franklin

9. This city on Lake Erie was so polluted, that during the twentieth century its Cuyahoga River caught fire several times.

answer: Cleveland, Ohio

10. He has won Academy Awards for Glory and Training Day. His other films include The Manchurian Candidate and The Seige.

answer: Denzel Washington

Bonus Category: School Subjects

Identify these school subjects as defined by users of Wikipedia. Note that some subjects may be more common to high schools or colleges than to a middle or elementary school curriculum.

1. The study of quantity, structure, space, and change.

answer: mathematics (accept any subfield, such as geometry or calculus)

2. The study of human cultures through the recovery and analysis of material remains and environmental data including artifacts.

answer: archeology

3. The writing of words with all necessary letters and diacritics present in the correct order.

answer: spelling (smack anyone knowing the answer orthography)

4. The study of the Earth, its composition, structure, physical properties, history, and the processes that shape it.

answer: geology (accept geosystems only because that's what Charter calls it)

5. The study of the production, distribution, trade, and consumption of goods and services.

answer: economics

6. The study of all aspects of human life and culture. Archaeology and sociology are related to it.

answer: anthropology

7. The study of human behaviors, minds, and thought.

answer: psychology

8. The practice of planning data collection with summarizing and interpreting the results.

answer: statistics

9. The study of the universe, including attempts to describe its beginning.

answer: cosmosology

10. The application of science to the needs of humanity. Subfields include computer, mechanical, and chemical.

answer: engineering

Bonus Category: Timeline

Given a set of items, choose the event that occurred earliest.

1. Became leaders of Russia: Gorbachev, Khruschev, Lenin, Stalin.

answer: Lenin leads Russia

2. Geologic Periods: Cambrian, Devonian, Jurassic, Permian.

answer: Cambrian

3. Astronomical discoveries: Jupiter's moons, Pluto's moon, Saturn's moons, Uranus' moons.

answer: Jupiter's moon (by Galileo)

4. Became President of the U.S.: James Buchanan, Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Zachary Taylor.

answer: Zachary Taylor

5. English literature: Bronte sisters write books, Canterbury Tales written, Shakespeare's plays written, Wordsworth's poetry written.

answer: Canterbury Tales [by Chaucer in the 14th century]

6. Science Fiction films debut: Stargate, Star Trek I, Starship Troopers, Star Wars episode I,

answer: Star Trek I [1979]

7. First won a Superbowl: Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers.

answer: Green Bay Packers (accept either) [they won Super Bowls I and II]

8. Ancient Wars: First Punic War, Peloponnesian Wars, Persian/Greek Wars, Second Punic War.

answer: Peloponnesian Wars

9. Exploration: Balboa finds the Pacific, Da Gama reaches India, Hudson explores his Bay, Magellan's crew sails the globe.

answer: Da Gama reaches India [1499, the others are 1500's and 1600's]

10. Became king of Britain: Charles I, George I, Henry I, James I

answer: Henry I [1100-1135]

Bonus Category: "Pro"s

Each of the correct responses starts with the letters P-R-O.

1. What gas, chemical formula C₃H₈, is used in fuel such as in portable stoves and barbecues?

answer: propane

2. In economics, what results from subtracting costs from money received?

answer: (net) profit

3. In law, this method allows offenders of minor crimes to avoid prison as long as they abide by conditions established by an officer to which the defendant periodically reports.

answer: probation

4. In mathematics, develop one of these to demonstrate that something is true. For example, side-angle-side is one for congruent triangles.

answer: proof

5. What Utah city south of Salt Lake City is home to Brigham Young University?

answer: Provo

6. What organic molecules are essential for cells and consist of amino acids joined by peptide bonds?

answer: proteins

7. In history, what movement sought to forbid the production and sale of alcohol?

answer: Prohibition (accept word forms)

8. What Rhode Island city lies on Narragansett Bay and was named by Roger Williams for God's guardianship?

answer: Providence

9. In geometry, this semicircular device can be used to measure angles.

answer: protractor

10. This book of the Bible that precedes Job in the Christian compilation consists of 31 chapters of wise sayings, including those of Solomon.

answer: Proverbs

Bonus Category: Cons

1. The Artful Dodger, Fagin, and Bill Sikes teach what Dickens character?

answer: Oliver Twist (accept either)

2. What Chicago gangster is thought to have orchestrated the 1929 Saint Valentine's Day Massacre while leading a crime syndicate?

answer: Al(phonse) Capone

3. Wearing numbers such as 167-176, this family is constantly after Scrooge McDuck's money.

answer: Beagle Boys (and Ma Beagle)

4. In basketball, this is taking the ball away from an opponent. In baseball, it is gaining an extra base by not getting caught.

answer: steal (accept word forms)

5. Although not conclusively solved, suggested perpetrators of this 1963 crime include Lee Harvey Oswald, and conspiracies involving Fidel Castro, organized crime, and the CIA.

answer: assassination of JFK (accept reasonable variants)

6. In Huckleberry Finn, two characters attempt to pass themselves as relatives of the Wilkes family in order to inherit an estate. Name either of these frauds known only by their fake titles.

answer: The King and the Duke

7. What crime is defined as the threat to reveal damagingly true information about a person to the public unless a monetary demand is met?

answer: blackmail (accept: extortion)

8. Among those held in this San Francisco prison was Al Capone. It was closed in 1963.

answer: Alcatraz (Island Penitentiary)

9. Patty Larcency, Vic the Slick, Eartha Brute, and Double Trouble are some of the members of V.I.L.E. that help what crime boss as she travels around the world and through time?

answer: Carmen (Isabela) Sandiego

10. What crime is defined as setting fire to something with the intent to cause damage?

answer: arson

2nd period: This period contains twenty tossups worth 10 points each. When you think you know the answer, signal with your buzzer and your team will have five seconds to respond.

1. Four of its members went to junior high together in Los Angeles, and this group toured with the Rolling Stones in 2005. Name this band with album Songs About Jane and singles "Must Get Out" and "This Love".

answer: Maroon 5

2. The game is thought to have originated in Scotland, where Queen Mary played at St. Andrews. She took the game to France and those who learned it from her were called "cadets" [ka-DAYS] which is where we get the term caddie. Name this sport played on eighteen holes.

answer: golf

3. A common feature of Gothic Cathedrals, what kind of sculpture looks like a grotesque creature and functions as a waterspout?

answer: gargoyle

4. Besides demotic script and Greek, what system of pictures and symbols was found on the Rosetta Stone in Egypt?

answer: Hieroglyphics

5. How many sons did the biblical Jacob have, which became the Tribes of Israel?

answer: 12

6. In Greek mythology, they were warriors whose queen was Hippolyte. In comics, Wonder Woman was from this race. Who are these women, who may have lent their name to a large South American river?

answer: Amazons

7. James Bulger, Robert Fisher, Glen Godwin, Osama bin Laden and six others were the occupants in August 2005 of what publication of the FBI?

answer: The FBI's ten most wanted fugitives list

8. In the sequel to the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Bucket takes a trip with Willy Wonka in what rising transportation?

answer: (the great) glass elevator (prompt on partial answer)

9. Pencil and paper ready. Working at Quik-E-Mart, Abhi needs to make fifteen cents in change. Using U.S. coins, how many distinct ways can Abhi make fifteen cents in change? (Give 10 seconds)

answer: 6 The ways are: (1d, 1n), (1d, 5p), (3n), (2n, 5p), (1n, 10p), (15p)

10. In Greek mythology, Cerberus guarded it, and Charon ferried people across its rivers. Name this place sharing its name with the god of the dead.

answer: Hades (prompt on "Hell")

11. What Middle Eastern country held a funeral in August 2005 for its deceased ruler King Fahd?

answer: Saudi Arabia

12. Adding a number and its additive inverse always results in what sum, such as when adding a quantity x to negative x?

answer: 0

13. While comedy is generally humorous, what describes dramatic works with somber moods and unhappy endings?

answer: tragedy

14. It was built by Gutzon Borglum in the Black Hills. What is this sculpture in South Dakota showing George, Tom, Abe, and Teddy?

answer: Mount Rushmore

15. Pete Wilson, Gray Davis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been the last three people to hold what position?

answer: governor of California

16. In 2005, this author's Runny Rabbit was on bestseller lists. Who is this children's author of Falling Up, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and A Light in the Attic?

answer: Shel Silverstein

17. Antonin Dvorak's [duh-VOR-jak's] symphony From the New World is so titled because Dvorak visited what country for its inspiration?

answer: U.S. or the United States

18. What measure of energy is used in nutrition to represent energy contained in foods?

answer: calories

19. What name is given to the branch of chemistry involving compounds that contain carbon and promote life?

answer: organic chemistry

20. In four-four time, how many beats would a player hold a dotted eighth note?

answer: 3/4 [three-fourths] of a beat

4th period: This period contains twenty tossups worth 15 points each. When you think you know the answer, signal with your buzzer and your team will have five seconds to respond.

1. In photography or art, what term meaning "all view" describes a series of pictures that give a wide unbroken view of a surrounding area?

answer: panorama

2. Pencil and paper ready. Simplify the repeating decimal 0.5454 into a fraction. To accomplish this, it might help to know that 0.909 repeated times eleven equals one. (Give 10 seconds)

answer: 6/11

3. Come, sit, and lie are examples of what kind of verb never accompanied by a direct object?

answer: intransitive

4. It starts in the Colorado mountains and ends at Brownsville, Texas where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. What is this river that forms a border between Texas and Mexico?

answer: Rio Grande or Rio Bravo (I guess Big River is acceptable)

5. What term means rest, and is observed by Jews on Saturday and most Christians on Sunday?

answer: Sabbath

6. With capital at Abuja, what is the most populous African country?

answer: Nigeria

7. This single-digit positive integer is considered "perfect" because when you add up its proper divisors, they sum to the number. What is this number with three divisors?

answer: 6 [the divisors are 1, 2, and 3]

8. Its name is Swahili for "first fruits" and it is observed the last week of December. What is this holiday founded by Black Studies professor Maulana Karenga?

answer: Kwanzaa

9. By what name did the Spanish-speaking world call Pope John Paul?

answer: Juan Pablo II [dos]

10. This Italian term means "in a church style" and it is how Gregorian chants are sung. What is this term referring to choral singing without accompaniment?

answer: a cappella

11. Warning: three answers required. In the Homeland Security Advisory System, green is used for "low" while red is used for "severe". In order, give the colors used for the guarded, elevated, and high alert levels.

answer: blue, yellow, orange

12. What science fiction writer's works include It Came From Outer Space, I Sing the Body Electric and Fahrenheit 45I?

answer: Ray Bradbury

13. The ability of a President to veto Congress' legislation, and the role Congress has in confirming Supreme Court justices are examples of what three word phrase that implies equality among the branches of government?

answer: checks and balances

14. Metallica wrote a song based on it. In what work by Maurice Sendak does a young boy named Max wear a wolf suit, and express his anger at being sent to his room without supper?

answer: Where the Wild Things Are

15. What silvery white alkaline earth metal is found in limestone as well as your bones and teeth?

answer: calcium

16. In 1759, a battle at the Plains of Abraham occurred in what Canadian province, as part of the French and Indian War?

answer: Quebec (before "province", accept Quebec City, prompt on "French and Indian War")

17. In physics, what simple machine shaft with a helical groove on its surface used to hold things together?

answer: screw

18. Whose television credits include cohost with Ben Stein on a game show, cohost with Adam Carolla on The Man Show and a late night talk show?

answer: Jimmy Kimmel

19. Before he was President of the U.S., Woodrow Wilson was President of what New Jersey University?

answer: Princeton

20. He holds the record for most times being sacked, but ended his career by winning two Super Bowls. Who is this man who wore number seven for the Denver Broncos until 1998?

answer: John Elway