Ellenville Journal / School Days

Quiz Bowl Spring Training

Think you're pretty smart? Then try some of the following questions below and see how well you stack up to our own tournament champions. These are questions taken directly from the final round of their competition. (Answers below, on left.)

1. Ancient History: Because of this consul's-and later pontifex maximus's efforts, Rome experienced two centuries of peace-known as Pax Romana. Give the name of this emperor who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD.

2. American Literature: A growing urban population at the turn of the nineteenth century made it possible for talented Americans to make a living as professional writers. This novel by Edith Wharton, for which she won the Pulitzer prize in 1921, depicted the social manners of upper-class New Yorkers such as the fictional Mingotts, Wellands, Olenskas and the novel's protagonist Newland Archer.

3. Art: A Norwegian painter, this artist's goal was to describe the conditions of "modern psychic life," or at least his personal life, through symbolist art. Name this artist of "The Cry" which is more commonly called "The Scream".

4. Biology: The saddle joint permits movement both backward and forward and side to side with limited rotation. It is found at the base of this appendage.

5. British Literature: Famous for his allegories, Jonathan Swift wrote this satire of the court of George I by having the title character visit nonsensical societies such as the Yahoos and the very tiny Lilliputians.

6. Foreign Language: Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard used this word in the 1800s to describe a profound and deep-seated spiritual condition of insecurity and despair in the free human being. In the 1980s and 90s it was commonly paired with the word "teen" especially with the rise of popularity of grunge bands. In the first line of Nirvana's "Serve the Servants" Kurt Cobain sings "Teen ____ has served me well". Give this five letter German word for intense emotional strife.

7. Current Events: Given a country, name the current political leader:
     A. United Kingdom
     B. North Korea
     C. Israel

On Saturday, April 21, four bright and eager Ellenville High School students, including seniors Chalen Ford and Josh Avery, and juniors Rebecca Cohen and Michael Brown, along with their coach Ellenville High school librarian Denise Moore, left Ellenville school at 6am to travel upstate to Dolgeville, NY, to compete in a state wide quiz bowl tournament.

Other teams included three from Cooperstown High School, two teams from Dolgeville, one from Mohawk, and one from Kingston. Four preliminary matches consisting of twenty five questions each were played throughout the morning to determine placement for the final afternoon sessions. Questions ranged from common knowledge of social studies, and literature, to advanced calculus, physics, and technology. At the end of the final afternoon round, Ellenville was tied with Cooperstown's A Team 130-130. Ellenville's Josh Avery buzzed in with the correct answer to give Ellenville a sudden death victory.

Ellenville students were congratulated by the other teams not only for their astute mental acuity, but also for their excellent sportsmanship. The team looks forward to defending their title again next year. The trophy awarded for first place is on display in the high school library. Well done Ellenville Quiz Bowl Team!

Answers: 1. Augustus, 2. Age of Innocence, 3. Edvard Munch, 4. thumb, 5. Gulliver's Travels, 6. angst, 7a. Tony Blair, 7b. Kim Jong Il, 7c. Ehud Olmert

COMMENTS about this article (1)