PART 1 – Current Events

1. In April, Reporters Without Borders released its annual World Press Freedom Index, which listed what Scandinavian country as the safest country for journalists?

Norway

2. Notre Dame suffered a massive fire earlier this year. What does “Notre Dame” literally translate to in English?

“Our Lady”

3. In August 2019, Boris Johnson asked for what two-word act from the reigning monarch, which would effectively suspend parliament?

Queen’s speech

4. This spring there were around nine hundred confirmed cases of what disease in the US, making it the largest outbreak since 1994?

Measles

5. What Indian state did India recently send military troops into, revoking its special status and putting the state on communications lockdown?

Jammu and Kashmir (we have accepted just “Kashmir” as correct)

6. In February 2019, what country became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in Asia?

Taiwan

7. Pete Buttigieg [“boot-edge-edge”] is the only openly gay candidate for president in 2020. He is the mayor of what city?

South Bend, Indiana

8. In July, Donald Trump, Justin Bieber, and Kim Kardashian were all involved in trying to extract what rapper from jail in Sweden?

A$AP Rocky

9. During an early debate, what Democratic candidate for president said Donald Trump is responsible for a “dark psychic force” of “collectivized hatred”?

Marianne Williamson

10. The 2019 Hong Kong protests are also known as the Anti-(BLANK) Law Amendment Bill Movement. What fills in the blank?

Extradition

PART 2 – Pop Culture

1. In early 2019, a picture of what became the most liked photo on Instagram, beating Kylie Jenner’s previous record?

An Egg

2. According to the Marie Kondo method, the Five Categories of items in your home that you must process through include Clothing, Books, Papers, Mementos, and what category that represents miscellaneous items?

Komono

3. At the 2019 Grammys, the Grammy for 2018 Album of the Year went to a country album for the first time in eight years. What artist won that award?

Kacey Musgraves

4. Roma scored ten Oscar nominations at the 2019 Oscars, tying which year 2000 movie for most nominations for a foreign film?

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

5. What 2019 movie was based on a story in a 2015 article from the Cut, and stars Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez in the lead roles?

Hustlers

6. Ali Wong and Randall Park star together in what recently released Netflix rom-com?

Always Be My Maybe

7. In 2018, who became just the second Asian American woman to host Saturday Night Live?

Awkwafina

8. Four Weddings and a Funeral has been adapted for television and is now on Hulu. The show was produced by what alum of The Office and lover of romantic comedies?

Mindy Kaling

9. Who is the first artist born in the twenty-first century to have a Number One album on the Billboard albums chart? This feat occurred in 2019.

Billie Eilish [“eye-lish”] (she is seventeen-years-old)

10. The indie hit The Farewell is based on what Chinese-American director’s personal story?

Lulu Wang

PART 1 – Literature, Language and Art

1. In English, “pumpkin” is often used as a term of endearment for kids. French speakers are more likely to say “mon petit chou” [“muh pity shoe”], which translates to “my little…” what?

Cabbage

2. Yayoi Kusama is an artist best known for her introspective installation pieces called “Infinity Rooms” that make heavy use of repeated shapes and also what objects, usually lining the walls?

Mirrors

3. Midway through Season 1 of the series Arrested Development, matriarch Lucille Bluth adopts a Korean child she mistakenly refers to as “Annyong,” [“ahhn yong”] believing it to be his name. Fittingly, his real name is later revealed to be what?

Hello (Hel-loh)

4. Both Agamemnon’s daughter in Greek epics and Daredevil’s girlfriend from the Netflix show go by what name?

Elektra

5. The Swahili word for “freedom” lends itself to the name of a Star Trek character. What word?

Uhuru/Uhura (we have accepted either the Swahili word or the character’s name)

6. The Suzuki method is generally associated with learning how to play what classical instrument?

Violin

7. What novel by author Min Jin Lee, which follows the story of a Korean family who eventually migrates to Japan, was a finalist for the 2017 National Book Award?

Pachinko

8. What 2017 novel by Celeste Ng is being adapted into a television miniseries by Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington?

Little Fires Everywhere

9. Sichuan cuisine is known for being ma-la. “La” means spicy. What does “ma” translate to?

Numb / Numbing

10. What collection of seventeen interconnected sculptural structures located north of Compton were created by amateur artist Simon Rodia over thirty-plus years?

Watts Towers

PART 2 – Sports and Games

According to a 2018 Forbes article, the most valuable sports franchise in the world is the Dallas Cowboys ($4.8 billion). What soccer club is the SECOND most valuable sports team in the world?

Manchester United

2. What country won the 2019 Cricket World Cup?

England

3. What Cal alumni went viral for her “sipping tea” goal celebration at the 2019 FIFA World Cup?

Alex Morgan

4. The Toronto Raptors, winners of this year’s NBA championships, have the slogan “We the North.” Despite claims that they are “the north,” there are in fact two NBA franchises that are located geographically farther north than Toronto. Name either one.

Minnesota Timberwolves / Portland Trailblazers

5. In July 2019, Colombian Egan Bernal became the first Latin American winner of what event?

Tour de France

6. At the start of the 2019 MLB season, who played two games as the oldest active player in the MLB before retiring in March?

Ichiro Suzuki (He was forty-five at the time)

7. In January, Trump welcomed what team to the White House by serving them a fast food feast of burgers, pizza, and fries?

Clemson Tigers

8. After a US Open game, Naomi Osaka invited what fifteen-year-old tennis player to share the post-game interview with her?

Coco Gauff

9. Fabiano Caruana is the highest ranked American player in what, just after world champion Magnus Carlsen?

Chess

10. Megan Rapinoe [“Ra-pee-no”] plays in the NWSL; her girlfriend, Sue Bird, plays in WNBA. They both play for what city?

Seattle

 

 

PART 1 – Culture, Traditions and Food

1. In Chinese culture, what number is considered unlucky because it is a homophone of the word for death?

Four

2. Granite Mountain Records Vault, also known simply as The Vault, is a large archive owned by what religious group? It is built six-hundred feet into the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints / Mormons

3. According to the Book of Revelation, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse include War, Pestilence, Death, and what else?

Famine

4. What Australian wine brand, whose logo contains a picture of a wallaby, shares its name with a type of fish known in Japanese as hamachi?

Yellowtail

5. What expensive spice shares its name with the 2007-2008 political revolution in Myanmar that saw the arrests of thousands of Buddhist monks?

Saffron

6. Feijoada (fay-ZHWA-da), traditionally prepared in a clay pot on low heat, is a stew with black beans, beef, and pork. It is the national dish of what country?

Brazil

7. A member of the fig family, what ingredient is common in Southeast Asian cuisines and is sometimes used in vegan recipes as a substitute for pulled pork?

Jackfruit

8. “Nikkei” refers to Japanese people living outside of Japan, but in recent years, it’s come to indicate the merging of Japanese cuisines with what South American country’s cuisine? Nikkei dishes include ceviche nikkei, tiradito, and the creative incorporation of quinoa using Japanese techniques.

Peru

9. Burger King’s new plant-based burger is known by what name?

Impossible Whopper

10. Dumplings native to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and the Himalayan countries are known by what name, which appears in the name of a culinary brand established by celebrity chef David Chang?

Momo

PART 2 – Science and Technology

1. After exploring Mars for nearly fifteen years, what NASA rover shut down in February?

Opportunity

2. Before flat screens and liquid crystal displays, C.R.T. televisions dominated the market. What does C.R.T. stand for?

Cathode Ray Tube

3. In April, scientists in Israel were able to 3-D print what human organ for the first time ever?

Heart

4. Coming from the Greek word for “seahorse”, what part of the brain is responsible for long-term memory?

Hippocampus

5. Using energy consumption as a basis of measurement, the Kardashev [“CAR-duh-shev] Scale describes “Type One, Type Two, and Type Three” levels of what? A Type Three would effectively harness the energy of an entire galaxy.

Civilizations

6. What word from carpentry is the common term for an Einstein-Rosen bridge, a theoretical structure that could connect distant points in space?

Wormhole

7. On the Periodic Table, what element with atomic number nineteen is represented by the same letter used to represent a strike-out in baseball?

Potassium (they are both represented by the letter K)

8. What sixteen-year-old Swedish climate activist told world leaders, “I don’t want you to be hopeful, I want you to panic”?

Greta Thurnberg

9. In April, scientists used a network of telescopes known as an E.H.T.–an Event Horizon Telescope–to capture the first ever images of a what?

Black Hole

10. An increase in opioid overdoses in the USA, including the deaths of rapper Mac Miller and Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, have been linked to the rise of what synthetic drug?

Fentanyl

PART 1 – History and Geography

1. Which US state capital comes alphabetically last?

Trenton, New Jersey

2. Ching Shih was a Chinese woman born around 1775. She was a sex worker and then a widow before becoming what she was best known for–perhaps the single most successful person ever in what occupation?

Pirate / Privateer

3. Previously known as East Pakistan, what country to the east of India gained independence in 1971?

Bangladesh

4. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over which country at the Battle of Puebla in 1862?

France

5. Chadwick Boseman has been cast to play Yasuke on film, who is historically considered the first black person ever to hold what title?

Samurai

6. In December 1874, the King of what island made the first visit by a foreign Head of Government to the USA?

Hawaii (Hawaiian Kingdom – King Kalakaua)

7. What West African country’s name translates roughly from Portuguese and Spanish to “Mountains of the Lion”?

Sierra Leone

8. What country was once the Khmer (Kuh-MARE) empire, which lasted for over six-hundred years and spread Hinduism and Buddhism to much of Asia?

Cambodia

9. Who was the last U.S. president to be born in the nineteenth century?

Dwight D. Eisenhower (born 1890)

10. What 1967 Supreme Court case struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage?

Loving vs. Virginia

PART 2 – California/L.A. Local

1. The immigration of Lebanese people to Mexico in the nineteenth and twentieth century is said to have given rise to what style of taco meat similar to shawarma, now common throughout Los Angeles?

Al Pastor

2. What sushi restaurant on 1st Street in Little Tokyo shares part of its name with an Irish music artist who has recorded in as many as ten languages?

Sushi Enya

3. What 2004 Oscar-winning movie caused pinot noir production in California to increase by one-hundred-seventy percent?

Sideways

4. What LA neighborhood is bound by Vermont Avenue on the east, Western Avenue on the west, Third Street on the north, and Olympic Boulevard on the south?

Koreatown

5. In the Baldwin Hills / Crenshaw area of LA, a stretch of Rodeo road was recently renamed for whom?

Barack Obama

6. What eighty-nine-year-old actor and director was the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California from 1986 to 2001?

Clint Eastwood

7. What LA local chef, who Ali Wong cites as the inspiration for her character in Always Be My Maybe, recently earned two Michelin stars for her restaurant n/naka?

Niki Nakayama

8. What would you get if you ordered a Number One at In-N-Out?

Double-Double (with cheese!)

9. Each July, Echo Park Lake celebrates the blooming of what flower?

Lotus (lotus festival)

10. California governor Gavin Newsome recently signed Assembly Bill 1482 into law, which puts a five-percent yearly cap on what?

Rent Increases (Rent Control)

ROUND 5 – SUDDEN DEATH (2 or 3 Questions in each category – 20 Questions total)

SUDDEN DEATH RULES: By random drawing, one of the tied teams picks a category. One question is asked in that category and all teams write down their answer. Any teams that get the answer incorrect are eliminated immediately. If more than one team answers correctly, the team that submitted their answer fastest chooses the next category.
If, at any point, every team misses a question, they all continue playing. The last team to choose the category chooses again. This continues (quickly) until there is only one team remaining. The “last team standing” wins the tie-breaker.

(CURRENT EVENTS) 1. In May, Ted Cruz spoke out in support of a US “Space Force”, citing the need to protect the country against threats from what?

(Space) Pirates

2. Ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Development Conference, reports came out that Apple will soon be shuttering services for what app that it launched in 2001?

iTunes

(POP CULTURE) 3. When PBS and Netflix brought the Great British Bake Off to US TV, they had to change the title to “Great British Baking Show” because the phrase “Bake Off” is trademarked for a competition started in 1949 by what Minneapolis based food brand?

Pilsbury

4. Who is the only actor to win an Oscar for portraying a US President?

Daniel Day Lewis (for Lincoln)

(LITERATURE, LANGUAGE, ART) 5. What best-selling book series, which would go on to spawn its own film franchise, originally began as Twilight fan-fiction?

Fifty Shades of Grey

6. What 1899 Kate Chopin novel, set in New Orleans and on the Louisiana Gulf coast famously ends with the female protagonist apparently committing suicide by walking into the ocean?

The Awakening

7. In Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, the protagonist is attempting to catch what type of fish? The fish shares its name with another inappropriately named Disney fish.

Marlin

(SPORTS AND GAMES) 8. Recently, Lebron James surpassed Michael Jordan to become the fourth-highest scoring NBA player of all time. What former LA Laker is first on the list?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

9. Rounders, an outdoor game common in the British Isles since as early as the 1400s, is most similar to which of the five major pro sports in the US?

MLB / Baseball

10. Country House beat Maximum Security by disqualification on May Fourth to become the winner of what event?

Kentucky Derby

(CULTURE, TRADITIONS, FOOD) 11. Yakitori is a Japanese style of skewered meat. What kind of meat is used in yakitori?

Chicken

12. What secular holiday is celebrated in Britain, Canada, as well as many former British colonies, the day after Christmas?

Boxing Day

13. In Filipino culture (among others), when moving into a new home, it is often considered good luck to put a few of what item in every corner?

Coins

(SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) 14. Titan is the second largest moon in the Solar System and the only known moon that has a significant atmosphere. Its name is appropriate, as it orbits what planet?

Saturn – Latinized form of Cronus, leader of the Titans in Greek Mythology

15. Mini Melts and Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream is made by flash freezing droplets in the liquid form of what element, which makes up seventy-eight percent of Earth’s atmosphere?

Nitrogen

(HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY) 16. When William of Normandy (AKA William the Conqueror) successfully invaded England in 1066 and became king, what romance language became the first language of every monarch for the next three-hundred years?

French

17. Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma each feature a region known by what culinary term?

Panhandle

(LA / CALIFORNIA) 18. What local-favorite late-night LA food stand is named for the street where you’ll find it in Cypress Park?

Avenue 26 Tacos

19. What building used to film scenes of the original Blade Runner, is an LA Historic-Cultural Monument and is located on South Broadway, across from Grand Central Market?

The Bradbury Building

20. During the 1930s, Walt Disney built his first large studio at the corner of Griffith Park Boulevard and Hyperion Avenue, currently the site of Gelson’s Market, in what LA neighborhood?

Silverlake

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

 

2. 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)

 

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

 

            Never Again Movement

 

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

 

            Harvard

 

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

 

            Ethiopia and Eritrea

 

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

 

            Sunni Muslim (accept just Muslim)

 

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

 

            Scott Morrison

 

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

 

            Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

 

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

 

            The VW Beetle (accept Bug)

 

 

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

 

            Give Birth (Have a Baby)

 

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

 

            Nicaragua

 

12. 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

 

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

 

            Boston

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

            Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

 

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

 

            EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

 

17. 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

 

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

 

            Mexico City

 

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

 

            Illegal gay sex (they legalized gay sex)

 

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

 

            Ireland

 

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

 

2. 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

 

3. 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)

 

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

 

            Tiki bar

 

5. 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.

 

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

 

            Dallas Raines

 

7. 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

 

8. 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

 

9. 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

 

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

 

            Chloe Kim

 

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

 

            Norway

 

12. 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)

 

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

 

            Charlie Fire

 

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

 

            Naomi Osaka

 

15. 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

 

16. 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.

 

17. 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)

 

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

 

            Limes

19. 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)

 

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

 

            Tom Brady

 

 

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

           

            Cambridge Analytica

 

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

 

            Bill Clinton

 

3. 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

 

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

 

            Smog (accept bad air)

 

5. 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

 

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

 

            Rhode Island (1,212 Square Miles)

 

7. What is the largest state park in California?

 

            Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

 

8. 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

 

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

 

            Less

 

10. 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

 

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

 

            Android (Android 9 Pie)

 

12. 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)

 

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

 

            Reese Witherspoon

 

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

 

            Google

 

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

 

            Mars

 

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

 

            Big Island

17. 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)

 

18. 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)

 

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

 

            Macau

 

20. 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)

 

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

 

2. 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

 

3. 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

 

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

 

            Pete Davidson

 

5. 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

 

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

 

            Scarlett Johansson

 

7. 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)

 

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

 

            Killing Eve

 

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

 

            Battle Royale

 

10. 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)

 

11. 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

 

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

 

            Vibranium

 

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

 

            Monstress

 

14. “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

 

15. 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

 

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

           

            The Band’s Visit

 

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

 

            Priyanka Chopra

 

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

 

            Rose Tico (accept just Rose)

 

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

           

            Joy Luck Club

 

20. 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

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

 

            Eggplant

 

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

 

            James Buchanan

 

3. 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

 

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

 

            Albus Dumbledore

 

5. 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

 

6. 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)

           

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

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

 

8. 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)

 

9. 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)

 

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

 

            Lisa

 

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

 

            Kumail Nanjiani (for The Big Sick)

 

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

 

            Atlanta

 

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

 

            Erik the Red / Erik Thorvaldsson

 

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

 

            Echolocation

 

15. 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

 

16. 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)

 

17. “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

 

18. 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)

 

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

 

            Numbing spicy

 

20. 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

 

1.This movie mogul, the founder of two companies with his brother, was fired on earlier this month from the company he launched with his brother after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. Name him.

Harvey Weinstein

2. In the wake of the scandal that followed, actress Alyssa Milano was credited with popularizing what hashtag to bring more awareness to the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and assault against women?

#metoo

3. This U.S. soldier, who walked off his base in Afghanistan in 2009, pleaded guilty on Monday to desertion. Name him and give his rank.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl

4. Sadiq Khan has had to deal with a number of terrorism incidents this year. He is the mayor of what international city?

London

5. Back home, name both the current Senate majority and Senate minority leaders.

Mitch McConnell and Charles (or Chuck) Schumer

6. In the Bill of Rights, the Fifth Amendment assures no double jeopardy while the Sixth Amendment guarantees our right to a fair and speedy trial. What does the Seventh Amendment guarantee?”

Right to trial by jury

7. Northern California’s wildfires have now killed more than 40 people, making the week of October 8 the deadliest week of wildfires in state history. Name three of the six counties that were affected.

Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino, Butte, Solano

8. This summer, Alex Honnold became the first person to do a free-solo ascent of a 3,000-foot wall at Yosemite, climbing all 3,000 feet without rope. What is the name of the geographic landmark he scaled?

El Capitan

9. In February, Norma McCorvey died at the age of sixty-nine and was saluted for her anti-abortion activism. She was better known by what pseudonym?

Jane Roe

10. Also in February, North Korea was suspected of orchestrating the assassination of Kim Jong Un’s half brother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. What was the half brother’s name?

Kim Jong Nam

11. Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel made headlines in August for decrying the growing humanitarian crisis in his home country. Name the country.

Venezuela

12. According to Forbes, the eight richest men in the world are collectively worth a staggering $426 billion. They include the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos. Only two of these men are not American. Name one of them.

Carlos Slim or Amancio Ortega

13. On October 4, big-time hedge-fund manager Michael Novogratz joined the board of advisors for a new token-exchange project based on a digital currency similar to Bitcoin. Name it.

Ethereum

14. To celebrate International Women’s Day in March, what nation became the first country in the world to require equal pay for men and women?

Iceland

15. A pop-up museum has proven so popular in LA that its residency has been extended more than five times, It will now staying in the city through December. What is it a museum of?

Ice Cream [The Museum of Ice Cream]

16. Arizona Senator John McCain had a blood clot removed above his left eye earlier this year. When doctors diagnosed him, they found he had a certain type of brain tumor. What is the scientific name for that tumor?

Glioblastoma

17. An untitled 1982 painting of a skull sold for $110.5 million at an auction in May, making it the 6th-most-expensive painting sold at auction. Only 10 other works have ever topped the $110 million mark, putting this artist in league with Francis Bacon and Pablo Picasso. What is the full name of this artist?

Jean-Michel Basquiat

18. Old Ironsides is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. It is more formally known by what name?

USS Constitution

19. A new study says that nearly 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children are obese. What state ranked as the most obese?

West Virginia

20. Real estate tycoon Robert Durst is standing trial for murder, The case is now in the preliminary hearing phase in L.A. Name the crime writer he is accused of killing, and the year he is accused of killing her.

Susan Berman, 2000.

1. Millions of Americans witnessed a rare coast-to-coast solar eclipse this summer. The lucky ones experienced a few minutes of daytime darkness if they were situated along the path of what?

The path of totality

2. This summer, the Food and Drug Administration approved a cancer treatment drug that uses gene therapy to turn a patient’s own cells into medicine. What is the name of this drug?

Kymriah

3. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft ended its 13-year exploration of Saturn this year by burning itself up in the planet’s atmosphere. The suicide maneuver was intended to prevent the possible contamination of two moons that scientists think could be hospitable to life. Name the two moons.

Titan and Enceladus

4. Cassini wasn’t the only spacecraft to be deliberately crashed into something in the past year. What European Space Agency probe was crashed into a comet known as 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (CHU-RU-MOV YEH-RA-SEE-MENG-KUH)?

Rosetta

5. The Four Corners Monument is the only point in the U.S. shared by four states. Name the capitals of those four states.

Phoenix, Denver, Santa Fe, Salt Lake City

6. In Stephen King’s book-turned-blockbuster-film “It,” a clown named Pennywise feeds off of the fears of children living in what town?

Derry

7. Almost 90 percent of Catalan voters backed independence from Spain this month. Name two of the four provinces in Catalonia.

Barcelona, Girona, Lleido, Tarragona

8. The winner of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature wrote 1989’s “The Remains of the Day,” which became a film starring Anthony Hopkins. What is the full name of the author?

Kazuo Ishiguro

9. Since 2009, a growing number of scientists argue that humans have changed the planet so much that we now live in a distinct geological time period. What is the name they have given this new time period?

The Anthropocene epoch

10. Five years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the British surrendered on October 19, 1781. Name the town and state in which that happened.

Yorktown, Pennsylvania

11. What did scientists do last New Year’s Eve to keep the official atomic clocks in sync with the rotation of the Earth?

They added a leap second to the last minute of 2016.

12. The young adult novel “Mirror Mirror,” a mystery that deals with bullying and gender identity, was released this month. It is the debut work of a supermodel and actress. Name her.

Cara Delevingne

13. What is the name of the Pulitizer Prize-winning book critic at the New York Times whose resignation in July sent shockwaves through the publishing industry?

Michiko Kakutani

14. What African nation boasts the most pyramids in the world?

Sudan

15. The author of “The Fault in Our Stars” just released his latest novel this month. Name the author and the book title.

John Green, “Turtles All The Way Down”

16. In April, scientists said they had discovered mastodon bones that appeared to have been scavenged by people 115,000 years before humans were thought to have arrived in North America. Where were the bones found?

San Diego

17. Canada, our neighbor to the north, is made up of how many provinces?

10

18. Business and self-help writer Spencer Johnson died in July at the age of 78. He is best known for his 1998 guide to change, featuring two mice, that sold more than 28 million copies. What is the name of that bestseller?

“Who Moved My Cheese?”

19. Super-popular kids’ collectibles Shopkins was created by a company called Moose Toys, which is based in what city and what country?

Melbourne, Australia

20. In February, NASA announced the discovery of a star called Trappist-1 that is orbited by how many Earth-sized planets?

Seven

 

1. What actress was named People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman in the World in 2017, landing her a record-setting fifth title?

Julia Roberts

2. What Scandinavian city is the setting for the 2017 Tony award winner for Best Play?

Oslo

3. At 14 nominations, “La La Land” tied “Titanic” and what other movie for most Oscar nominations ever?

“All About Eve”

4. Which former Laker hired “Star Wars” composer John Williams to score a short film with the working title “Dear Basketball”?

Kobe Bryant

5. Which original “Hamilton” cast member of Puerto Rican descent used a Twitter storm to challenge President Trump’s management of Hurricane Maria recovery efforts?

Lin-Manuel Miranda

6. What won best musical at the 2017 Tony Awards?

“Dear Evan Hansen”

7. What is the title of the musical coming to L.A. next year that is loosely inspired by the childhood internment camp experience of George Takei?

“Allegiance”

8. Name the presenter who first announced “La La Land” as the 2017 Academy Award winner for best picture?

Faye Dunaway

9. Which filmmaker moved his planned art museum from San Francisco to Chicago before finally settling on Los Angeles?

George Lucas

10. An original painting from which Disneyland attraction sold at auction this year for $172,500?

The Haunted Mansion

11. Which Shakespeare play was staged in New York’s Central Park this summer with a decidedly Trump-like central character?

“Julius Caesar”

12. According to Box Office Mojo, what is, to date, the highest-grossing film of 2017? We’re talking domestic gross here.

“Beauty and the Beast”

13. In February 2017, Adele became only the second woman to win two Grammys for Album of the Year. Who was the first?

Taylor Swift

14. Hulu won five Emmy Awards this year for the hit TV series based on Margaret Atwood’s book “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Name the actress who plays the main character. Spelling counts.

Elisabeth Moss

15. Sofia Coppola became the second woman to win best director at Cannes Film Festival in the festival’s 71-year history. Name the film she won for.

“The Beguiled”

16. Prince Harry is dating Meghan Markle. What TV show did she allegedly quit amid rumors of their engagement?

“Suits”

17. NBC’s “The Voice” is currently airing its 13th season. Name the new judge who was announced for the 14th season.

Kelly Clarkson

18. The founder of Playboy, Hugh Hefner, died at 91 in September. Who did he feature on the cover of the first Playboy in 1953?

Marilyn Monroe

19. Beyonce gave birth to twins this year. What are their names? And who is their big sister?

Rumi and Sir. Blue Ivy

20. Netflix revealed that “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” is the show people binge-watched the fastest on the streaming service. What series was named runner-up?

“Fuller House”

1. The Chargers moved to the Los Angeles area this year. What is the name of the stadium in which they currently play?

StubHub Center

2. California in 2016 raised the age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21, becoming the second state to do so. What was the first state?

Hawaii

3. With his win at the U.S. Open this year, how many Grand Slam titles does tennis player Rafael Nadal have?

16

4. What clothing store is nearest Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Forever 21

5. Paris was picked to host the 2024 Olympics. Name one other year the city of light has hosted the Summer Games?

1900 or 1924

6. Name the popular Instagram spot at Calaveras Big Trees State Park that was brought down by a storm early this year.

Pioneer Cabin Tunnel Tree

7. A New York Yankee became the second major leaguer ever to hit at least 40 home runs in his rookie year. What is his name and what is the name of the first player to achieve that mark?

Aaron Judge and Mark McGwire

8. What is the name of the mascot that some activists want removed from Cal State University, Long Beach?

Prospect Pete

9. City officials projected the Batman signal on Los Angeles City Hall in honor of “Batman” actor Adam West, who died this year. What year was City Hall built?

1928

10. Pranksters in 2017 changed the Hollywood sign to read “Hollyweed,” but it happened once before. In what year did “Hollyweed” first appear?

1976

11. Speaking of which, what’s the name for the tri-county area in Northern California region considered the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States?

Emerald Triangle

12. What baseball team broke the American League record for consecutive wins this season?

Cleveland Indians

13. What swear word did Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti use in his speech at the 2014 L.A. Kings victory party at Staples Center?

Fucking

14. What infamous downtown hotel near 7th Street and Main was granted historic-cultural landmark status by the City Council this year?

Hotel Cecil or Stay on Main (former and current name)

15. Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has two younger brothers who also play basketball. What are their names?

LiAngelo and LaMelo

16. The Wilshire Grand is now the tallest building in Los Angeles, as well as the tallest building west of the Mississippi. What is now the second-tallest building in Los Angeles?

U.S. Bank Tower

17. California named its official state dinosaur this year. What is the taxonomical name of this dinosaur?

Augustynolophus morrisi

18. The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Cubs in the NL Championship Series in 2016. How many games did the series last?

6

19. Longtime politician Xavier Becerra was picked as California’s Attorney General by Gov. Jerry Brown. In what city did Becerra launch an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2001?

Los Angeles

20. In the 1987 Motley Crue ode to strip clubs, Vince Neil sings of LA establishments, “Girls girls girls, Body Shop and the Marble Arch, girls, girls, girls, BLANK is where I lost my heart.” Fill in the blank.

Tropicana or Tropicana’s

1. Groundhog Day is a bizarre American tradition that’s been going on for more than a century. What’s the name of the groundhog, town name included? Spelling counts.

Punxsutawney Phil

2. A 12-year-old ventriloquist won this year’s “America’s Got Talent” competition. What is her name?

Darci Lynne Farmer

3. After leaving Fox News, Megyn Kelly jumped ship to NBC. Who was the first person she interviewed on her NBC premiere?

Vladimir Putin

4. The United States’ first president was George Washington. Who is generally regarded as Britain’s first prime minister?

Robert Walpole

5. The 2017 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine went to a group that studied biological clocks. What animals did they use in their experiments?

Fruit flies. (We will accept “drosophila,” their scientific name.)

6. U.S. Representative Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma is President Trump’s pick to lead NASA. Where does Bridenstine want to set up a fuel-mining operation?

The moon

7. This year’s Nobel Prize in physics went to three scientists who led an experiment known as LIGO (LEE-GO). What does LIGO look for?

Gravitational waves

8. The Dodgers made a big splash this summer when they acquired a Japanese pitcher from the Texas Rangers to bolster their rotation. Name him.

Yu Darvish

9. What are the two official languages of the country of Pakistan?

Urdu and English

10. The villain known as the Mole Man first appeared in Issue No. 1 of what Marvel comic book series?

The Fantastic Four

 

1. After 67 years calling Dodgers games from Ebbets Field to Chavez Ravine, this Hall of Fame broadcaster retired. Name him.

Vin Scully

2. October 17 marked the 27th anniversary of what earthquake, which shook the Bay Area?

Loma Prieta earthquake (some slight misspellings allowed)

3. The government of Ecuador directed its London embassy to do what to long-term guest Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks?

Cut off his internet access

4. Last week, the world’s longest-reigning monarch died at age 88 after 70 years on the throne. Name him and the official name of his country at the start of his reign.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Siam (or simply Bhumibol or Adulyadej)

5. For a hot minute, America fell in love with an undecided voter at the second presidential debate. Name … the brand of the red sweater worn by Ken Bone.

Izod

6. Who is the vice-presidential running mate for Green Party candidate Jill Stein?

Ajamu Baraka

7. A popular ride at Disney’s California Adventure will close in January. What is the name of this ride, and what Marvel property will be the theme of the new attraction?
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (also accepted Tower of Terror)

Guardians of the Galaxy

8. At the final Democratic presidential primary debate in April, only Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders remained. Name the three other candidates who vied with them at the first debate in October 2015.

Lincoln Chafee, Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb

9. The Republican field was much more crowded, of course. How many candidates did the GOP have at the time of the first debate in August 2015?

17

10. Originally created in 1939, the now-famous “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan was never actually used during World War II. Rediscovered and unveiled in 2000, the iconic poster bears an image of the crown of which British king?

King George VI or King George the Sixth

11. A design of a corn maze in Chino, California, celebrates the 50th anniversary of what animated TV special? We are looking for its title.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

12. In August, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the final concert for the band fronted by Gord Downie, who is battling brain cancer. What is the name of this band, one Trudeau said would be “forever in our hearts and playlists”?

The Tragically Hip

13. In September, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature reclassified the status of the giant panda from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” What is the scientific name of the giant panda?

Ailuropoda melanoleuca (also accepted Ailuropoda only)

14. Two seemingly unrelated personalities teamed up to write a controversial op-ed in the August 31 edition of the Wall Street Journal railing against the dangers of pornography. Name them.

Pamela Anderson, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

15. In 1883, Dutch researcher Emil Hansen discovered that undrinkable beer was caused by contamination from wild yeast strains. He isolated a single cell of favorable yeast to create a pure culture that, along with its descendants, has been used ever since to brew what popular style of beer?

Lager

16. The Olympic flag with five interlocking rings on a white background was designed in 1912 by whom?

Pierre de Coubertin

17. On October 14, it was announced that what San Diego-based company will provide power to 14 Navy and Marine Corps bases across California?

Sempra

18. Who was the prime minister of the United Kingdom at the start of 2016, and what is the name of the current U.K. prime minister?

David Cameron, Theresa May

19. In the middle of a concert, Kanye West found out that his wife, Kim Kardashian West, staying in Paris, was tied up, locked in a bathroom and robbed of millions in jewelry. He told the crowd, “I’m sorry. I have a family emergency. I have to stop the show.” What song was Kanye in the middle of performing when he said that quote and left?

“Heartless”

20. What is the name of the storm that slammed into China’s southern island province of Hainan on Tuesday?

Typhoon Sarika

1. In September, a team of U.S. doctors introduced the first baby born from “three-parent fertilization,” a technique used to avoid a genetic disease carried by the mother. In what country was this baby born?

Mexico

2. Name the longest river in Asia that does not flow through any part of China.

Lena River

3. South Korea has about 3,000 islands. What is the name of the country’s largest island?

Jeju or Jeju-do

4. A centerpiece of the Dinosaur Hall at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum is a 34-foot-long skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex named for the brother of schoolteacher Robert Curry, who found the bones in Montana. What is the T. rex’s name?

Thomas

5. Thanks to its unusually fast motion, about 2.7 inches northward a year, what continent will have to update its latitude and longitude later this year by about 5 feet in order to line up with its GPS coordinates?

Australia

6. Emily Blunt currently stats as the protagonist of the film version of bestselling thriller “The Girl on the Train.” Who is the novel’s author?

Paula Hawkins

7. Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for literature last week. Among his most cited lyrics is “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” What 1965 song does that line come from?

“Subterranean Homesick Blues”

8. Manzanar, California, is widely known as a site of a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Name the county in which it is located.

Inyo County

9. Bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz uses that name to write suspense romance novels and her maiden name Jayne Castle to write futurist romance. What pen name does she use to write historical romance?

Amanda Quick

10. This Atlantic nation, a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark, can claim to have the most Nobel winners per capita: 1 per 48,000 residents. Name the nation.

Faroe Islands

11. Julianne Moore may be an Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress, but she is also the writer of a popular children’s book series starring what character?

Freckleface Strawberry

12. Everest and K2 are the highest mountain peaks in the world. The third-highest is in the Himalayan mountain range between Nepal and India. Name it.

Kangchenjunga

13. On Wednesday night, an unusual lunar event was visible over large portions of the U.S. in which the waning gibbous moon passed over the large orange star of Aldebaran. What is the name of this event?

An occultation (also accepted Blood Moon or Hunter’s Moon)

14. A visiting archaeologist announced last month that he had made a startling discovery in a medieval castle on the island of Okinawa. What 10 copper things did he suspect he found?

Roman coins (also accepted simply coins)

15. Vietnam is bordered by the South China Sea as well as two gulfs. Name them.

Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Thailand

16. Motoko Kusanagi is the protagonist for what 1990s manga series?

“Ghost in the Shell”

17. This month, the FAST radio telescope came online in China. At 500 meters in diameter, it is the largest radio telescope in the world. What have scientists nicknamed this device?

The Eye of Heaven or Heavenly Eye

18. Viet Thanh Nguyen received this year’s Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his debut novel. What is its title?

“The Sympathizer”

19. What two countries sit on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola?

Haiti, Dominican Republic

20. If you suffer from alektorophobia, which farm animal are you scared of?

Chickens (and like fowl, such as roosters)

1. By popular demand, Funko Pop! TV has just released the “Golden Girls” vinyl figure collection. What are the first names of the four Miami-based characters from the 1990s sitcom?

Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, Sophia

2. Former One Direction member Zayn Malik has been named the new designer for what fashion line?

Versus Versace

3. 2016 brought to the box office the highest-grossing R-rated animated film of all time. Name the film.

“Sausage Party”

4. How many Tony Awards did Lin-Manuel Miranda’s phenomenon “Hamilton” win?

11

5. In the 1976 Steve Miller Band song “Rock’n Me,” Miller sings, “I went from Phoenix, Arizona, all the way to Tacoma,” and then what three cities before he goes to Northern California?

Philadelphia, Atlanta, L.A.

6. Esquire magazine just named “2 Dope Queens” the most essential podcast of 2016. Name the two Brooklyn comedians who host the show.

Phoebe Robinson, Jessica Williams

7. In June, toy company Hasbro produced an action figure in the image of Candace Payne. By what nickname is Payne better known?

The Chewbacca Mom

8. The American Dialect Society annually names a Word of the Year. For 2012, it was “hashtag.” For 2014, the winner was an actual hashtag. Name it.

#BlackLivesMatter

9. Who was the first artist to do “Carpool Karaoke” with James Corden on “The Late Late Show”?

Mariah Carey

10. “Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 42nd season on October 1. Actress Margot Robbie was the host. Who was the musical guest, and who is the musical guest dating?

The Weeknd, Bella Hadid

11. What is the name of the character Rami Malek plays in the USA Network show “Mr. Robot”?

Elliot Anderton

(Note: Our answer key and thus emcee gave this wrong answer. The correct answer is Elliot Alderson, but we accepted Anderton and Elliot.)

12. With what piece of music did conductor Gustavo Dudamel open the Carnegie Hall season on October 3?

“The Rite of Spring”

13. The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., last month. What is the name of the architect for the building?

Philip Freelon

14. Speaking of museums, a unique one opened in June on the site of the old Frederick’s of Hollywood lingerie store on Hollywood Boulevard. It consists of artifacts reflecting lost love. What is the name of this museum?

The Museum of Broken Relationships

15. Which Gilbert and Sullivan opera is set in Venice?

“The Gondoliers”

16. Who is the current president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences?

Cheryl Boone Isaacs

17. Derek Zoolander can devastate with his looks Blue Steel and Magnum, but what is the name of the look his son Derek. Jr unleashes at the end of “Zoolander 2”?

El Niño

18. What is the name of the company that unleashed Pokémon Go on the world?

Niantic

19. Who was named the United Nations’ Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls?

Wonder Woman

20. The original “Star Trek” TV series celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. It lasted three seasons but has produced five spin-offs. Name, in chronological order, those five spin-offs, including the one launching in 2017.

“The Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager,” “Enterprise,” “Discovery”

1. When the Los Angeles Rams left the region in 1994, Chuck Knox was the team’s head coach. He has also been head coach of two other NFL teams. Name them.

Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills

2. Taekwondo athlete Pita Taufatofua became a viral video sensation after he appeared all greased up while carrying his country’s flag in the Olympic opening ceremonies in Rio. What country does he represent?

Tonga

3. Kobe Bryant wore two numbers during his career with the Lakers. What number was he wearing in 2006 during the game against the Toronto Raptors in which he scored 81 points?

No. 8

4. What is the motto for the city of Palm Springs?

“The People Are the City”

5. California cities and towns are famous for holding festivals for everything from garlic to roses. What California town has celebrated poison oak in an annual show for the last 30 years?

Columbia

6. In 1979, the National Hockey League announced that it would no longer allow incoming players to forgo helmets. Those players with existing contracts could go helmet-less if they signed a waiver. Who was the last NHL hockey player to go without a helmet, and what team did he play for?

Craig MacTavish, St. Louis Blues

7. What is the most widely produced wine varietal in California?

Chardonnay

8. An American brother-sister duo won the silver medal in ice dancing at the 2016 World Figure Skating Championships and became the highest-ranked team of ice dancers of Asian heritage in world championships history. What is their last name?

Shibutani

9. What Los Angeles County city erected a 26-foot monument in 2010 that was inspired by both the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a Spanish castle?

Alhambra

10. Former Yankee Alex Rodriguez holds the record for career grand slams with 25. Name the two players who are tied for most grand slams in one season.

Don Mattingly, Travis Haffner

11. What is the quote inscribed above the public doorway in Los Angeles City Hall’s John Ferraro Council Chamber?

“Law is reason without passion”

12. What is the combined age of California’s two current U.S. senators?

158

13. Joseph Schooling won Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold medal when he prevailed in the 100-meter butterfly in Rio. Another record-making mark in that race — the next three swimmers tied for silver. Who were they?

Michael Phelps, Chad le Clos, Lazslo Czeh

14. What is depicted inside the six-pointed star within the insignia for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Office?

A grizzly bear (or simply bear)

15. What town in Nevada County holds an annual memorial to the Donner Party, a group of ill-fated pioneers who met disaster in the mid-1800s?

Truckee

16. Name the men’s and women’s champions of Wimbledon this year.

Andy Murray, Serena Williams

17. The International Olympic Committee agreed to add baseball, softball and karate to its lineup for Tokyo 2020. It also agreed to three other sports designed to appeal to a younger audience. What are they?

Skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing

18. According to the National Park Service, what is the maximum number of people, including children, allowed per campsite at Yosemite National Park?

6

19. For the first time in its 132-year history, which club won this year’s English Premier League, overcoming 5,000-to-1 odds?

Leicester City

20. In 2013, musician Dave Grohl directed a documentary about legendary recording studio Sound City, which was located in what L.A. neighborhood?

Van Nuys

• What popular song has been ruled available in the public domain so anyone can sing it now without seeking a license?

“Happy Birthday to You” or “Happy Birthday”

• Bomb blasts during a peace rally in Turkey’s capital city killed dozens last week. Name this city.

Ankara

• Last month, a county clerk in Kentucky was sent to jail for contempt of court after refusing to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. She cited her religious beliefs. What Kentucky county is Kim Davis the clerk for?

Rowan County

• Volkswagen named Matthias Müller its new CEO on Sept. 25. What brand of car did Müller preside over before taking control of the German auto giant?

Porsche

• Scientists announced in Nature this week that a 125-million-year-old fossil of a mammal with intact hair structures and inner organs was found, more than 60 million years older that previous fossilized structures. Dubbed Spinolestes xenarthrosus, in what country was this fossil found?

Spain

• On Oct. 9, Governor Jerry Brown signed bill SB 27, which features the nation’s toughest limits on the overuse of what in livestock?

antibiotics

• Last week, the governor also signed a landmark climate-change bill requiring the state to have half of its electricity generated by renewables by 2030. What iconic location did Brown sign this bill at?

Griffith Observatory

• A New York woman who sued her 8-year-old nephew for hugging her too exuberantly on his birthday lost her case on Tuesday. To collect insurance, her lawyer claimed her nephew’s action broke her wrist, which ruined her social life by making it “difficult to hold my… what?”

hors d’oeuvres plate. Also accepted was “appetizers”

• In a highly watched case, a former partner of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins sued on grounds of gender discrimination, but lost. Name her.

Ellen Pao

• Washington-state-based grocery store chain Haggen Inc. announced last month they would close more than 100 stores in California, Nevada and Arizona, just months after the chain’s dramatic entrance into those states. What city is Haggen Inc. based in?

Bellingham 

• In his remarks to the U.S. Congress last month, Pope Francis highlighted the work of four Americans — President Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr.,  a Trappist monk, and the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. Name the monk, and name the social justice pioneer.

Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day

• U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan jointly announced the name of the National Zoo’s latest panda cub on Sept. 25. What is it?

Bei Bei

• Last month, French investigators and the Prime Minister of Malaysia confirmed that, for the first time since its disappearance, wreckage from flight MH370 was found. Name the island on which the wreckage was found.

Réunion Island

• Who is The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s band leader and what is the name of his group?

Jon Batiste and Stay Human

• Last month, search engine giant Google changed its eponymous logo to a new sans-serif font. While the design of the letters has changed, their colors have stayed the same. In order, what color is the second G, the L and the E (i.e. last three letters)

blue, green, and red

• So far this year, three women have graduated from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School, the combat leadership course of which was open to women earlier this year. At what U.S. Army base is the first phase of Ranger School located?

Fort Benning

• In August, a series of explosions and subsequent fires in a Chinese city killed more than a hundred people, including responding firefighters. Name this port city.

Tianjin

• A pro-democracy working collective in Tunisia won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2015. What is this group known as?

The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet. The Quartet acceptable

• In mid-August, Mayor Eric Garcetti held a media event at the Los Angeles Reservoir where millions of black “shade balls” were released to help with drought efforts. In what L.A. neighborhood is this reservoir located?

Sylmar

• Name the first two Asian nations to sign on, in 2006, to what is now the 12-nation trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Brunei and Singapore

• Australia’s quarantine control got upset with superstar couple Johnny Depp and Amber Heard when they brought their two dogs into the country illegally this year. What are the names of Depp’s dogs?

Pistol and Boo

• A cargo ship owned by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico sunk off the Bahamas earlier this month during Hurricane Joaquin. Name this ship.

El Faro

• This year marks the 10th anniversary of YouTube, and Swedish comedian and gamer Felix Kjellberg is now the channel’s biggest star, with 39 million subscribers to his channel. By what name is Kjellberg better known

PewDiePie

• This week, London Metropolitan Police, citing costs, stopped 24-hour watch on the embassy that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is said to be hiding out in as an asylum seeker. What country’s embassy is this?

Ecuador

• Doctors Without Borders said last week it wants an independent commission set up under the Geneva Conventions to investigate the attack that killed 12 medical staff and 10 patients at its northern Afghan hospital in what town?

Kunduz 

• Speaking of dogs, earlier this month, home surveillance video of a small French bulldog scaring off brown bears that had wandered into a yard in this Southern California town went viral. Name the town.

Monrovia

• A nonprofit and a UC Berkeley law center released their grades of Los Angeles metro stations last week. A Red Line station received the survey’s highest mark. Which station is it?

Westlake/Macarthur Park

• In September, the Valley Fire erupted with fury, killing four civilians and destroying nearly 2,000 structures. The fire was in Napa and Sonoma counties, but did most of its damage in what third California county?

Lake County

• A Kerman, California high school used an actor’s movies as the theme for their homecoming on Oct. 9 and were treated to a surprise video message by the actor as a thank you for the honor. Who is the actor?

Tom Hanks

• After spending billions of dollars, Royal Dutch Shell announced at the end of September that the energy company would not continue its exploration program for gas and oil in the Arctic Ocean. Name the sea in which Shell had been drilling in at what’s called the “Burger J” Well.

The Chukchi Sea 

• Hope you read the AAJA-LA website and/or your program tonight. The Japanese American National Museum hosted Trivia Bowl for its first time in what year?

2002

• Ta-Nehisi Coates, staff writer for The Atlantic, has received many accolades this year for his book Between the World and Me, a letter to his teenage son. What is his son’s first name?

Samori

• On this day in 1853, a war began, the first covered extensively by newspaper reporters and photographers. Name it.

The Crimean War

• What city in Santa Barbara County is largest by population?

Santa Maria (with 101,000. Santa Barbara nearly 90,000)

• A dog is the central character of The Call of the Wild, an early 20th century novel centered on the gold rush in Canada’s Yukon. What was the name of the dog?

Buck

• El Niño is one phase of a global climate pattern abbreviated as ENSO or E-N-S-O. What does the S-O stand for?

Southern Oscillation

• The first new book in many years by the late Dr. Seuss was published this July. What is its title?

What Pet Should I Get?

• According to the 2015 edition of the AP stylebook, thirty (30) U.S. cities stand alone in datelines. Of those, only two have neither an NFL or NBA franchise. Name them.

Las Vegas and Honolulu

• What fictional town in New York state was critical to the plot of Paper Towns, a 2008 novel by John Green, as well as the the 2015 film adaptation of the same name?

Agloe

• In September, Queen Elizabeth the Second became the longest reigning monarch of the British Commonwealth. Who was previously the longest reigning British monarch?

Queen Victoria

• In September, scientists from the University of Arizona wrote a paper titled “Multi-century evaluation of Sierra Nevada snowpack,” published in the journal Nature Climate Change. The authors said California’s drought was probably the worst in 500 years. What did they measure to determine that? Be specific.

Blue oak tree rings. Tree rings okay. Just “trees” not acceptable.

• Forty nine states in the U.S. have two chambers in their legislature, a lower and upper house. Name the only state with a unicameral, or single-chamber, legislature.

Nebraska

• In the book and film adaptation of The Martian by Andy Weir, astronaut Mark Watney, stranded on Mars and presumed dead, uses  *what* to establish initial contact with Earth? Be specific.

Pathfinder.  “Mars probe or Mars rover” not acceptable

• What is the name of the NASA space probe that reached, and very quickly streaked, beyond Pluto and its moons earlier this year?

New Horizons

• On September 3, President Otto Pérez Molina resigned from office following corruption charges and was later arrested. Molina was president of which country?

Guatemala

• Of all the states in the U.S., Oregon is the only one with a state flag that has two different designs on each side. The state seal is on the front. What animal is represented on the reverse side?

A beaver

• Inside Out is an animated film that explores the inner workings of a teen girl’s brain. What are the five emotions brought to life as characters in the movie?

Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger

• Knock Knock Knock, Penny… The sitcom Big Bang Theory has a long-running gag of Sheldon’s particular obsessive-compulsive knock on Penny’s apartment door. What is Penny’s apartment number?

4B

• In the 1983 hit movie Trading Places starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, the pair make a monetary windfall while financially ruining their former employers, Duke & Duke, by shorting the future of what commodity?

Oranges. Orange Juice okay. Just “juice” is not acceptable

• So Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy have gone their separate ways. At the start of the new Muppets TV series, Kermit took an interest in another porcine paramour. What’s her new girlfriend’s name?

Denise

• The megahit public radio mini-series podcast Serial reexamined the case of the 1999 murder of a 19-year-old woman. What was her full name?

Hae Min Lee

• One of the most talked about works on display at the recently opened Broad Museum in downtown Los Angeles is titled “Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away.” Who is the artist who created this work?

Yayoi Kusama

• The film Pitch Perfect 2 centered on the Barden Bellas, a university a cappella team and their continuing adventures. A central plot point of this sequel is the World A Cappella Championships. In what country does this competition take place?

Denmark

• Taylor Swift’s music video for her megahit “Bad Blood” was an homage to blockbuster action movies. The video featured a long list of A-list co-stars, including Selena Gomez as “Arsyn,” Jessica Alba as “Domino,” and Hailee Steinfeld as “The Trinity.” What is Swift’s name in this video?

“Catastrophe”

• The film The Sound of Music, based on a musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. In order from youngest to oldest, what are the first names of the four youngest Von Trapp children in the film.

Gretl, Marta, Brigitta and Kurt

• “Sábado Gigante,” the weekly Spanish-language variety show hosted by Don Francisco, ended a 53-year run last month. What country did this program start out in?

Chile

• Move over, R2D2. Make way, C-3PO. A new droid will feature in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, one that looks like a robot on a ball. What is the name of the new droid?

BB-8

• In June, Misty Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the 75-year history of what dance company?

American Ballet Theatre

• Next year, season 15 will be the last for American Idol, first won by Kelly Clarkson in 2002. Who won this year’s title?

Nick Fradiani

• Name the actor who will play Doctor Strange in a film based on the Marvel comic character next year.

Benedict Cumberbatch

• After a music writer focused his concert review this month on what singer Bethany Consentino was wearing rather than performing, she took to Instagram to write, “Sexism is alive and well people!!!!! If you aren’t happy with my show that’s perfectly fine, but leave my looks + outfit out of it.” What Los Angeles band is Cosentino the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for?
  

Best Coast

• At the 2015 Track and Field World Championships in Beijing, this sprinter again won titles in the 100 and 200 meter sprints, and as part of the Jamaican 4-by-100 meter sprint relay squad. Name him.

Usain Bolt

• The Los Angeles Lakers have retired nine players’ numbers. Name the player with the lowest retired L.A. Laker number, provide that number, then name the college he attended.

Wilt Chamberlain, 13, Kansas

• Who is the Anaheim Ducks franchise leader in goals and assists?

Teemu Selanne

• US Women’s National Team player Carli Lloyd’s first-half hat trick stunned Japan’s side in the Women’s World Cup Final, held in British Columbia earlier this year. Two other players scored goals for the U.S. Name ONE of them.

Lauren Holiday or Tobin Heath

• According to company history, this mid-20th century inventor originally wanted to call his company the “Paramount Engineering Company” to honor the L.A. County city in which his fledgling company was founded. But as the Paramount name was taken, he used his last name instead. What is the name of this still-in-existence company?

Zamboni

• South San Francisco’s “Sign Hill” displays the name of the city in big bold white letters. What three-letter phrase is below it?
  

The Industrial City *This question was not used in the scoring because of the confusing way the question was phrased.

• The drunk-driving arrest of a 21-year-old man in August 1965 touched off the Watts riots. Name him.

Marquette Frye. Will accept Marquette Price as Frye later changed his name.

• At Los Angeles International Airport, in the order you would drive past them, what domestic airlines are the major tenants of terminals 1, 4, 5, and 7?
  

Southwest, American, Delta, then United

• Boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who worked with Manny Pacquiao leading up to his fight with Floyd Mayweather, owns and operates this world-famous gym in Hollywood. Name it.

Wild Card Gym or Wild Card Boxing Club, or just Wild Card

• Jason Day is the current World No. 1 in golf, but he has to follow the rules like everyone else. According to official PGA golf rules, what is the maximum number of clubs a golfer can carry in a golf bag?

14

• Three weeks into the NFL season and the Miami Dolphins have already sacked head coach Joe Philbin. Who did the Fins name their interim coach?

Dan Campbell

• MMA champion Ronda Rousey became the first U.S. woman to win a medal in Olympic judo when she got a bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008. In which year did women’s judo make its Olympic debut?

1992

• Serena Williams completed her second “Serena Slam” this year, holding all four major tennis titles at once by defeating Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza in the Wimbledon finals. Name the two former World No. 1 players she beat in this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinals and semifinals.

Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova

14. The northbound 5 freeway crosses from Orange County city Buena Park into a Los Angeles County city, right where Knott Street and Firestone and Artesia boulevards meet. Name this L.A. County City.
    

La Mirada

15.  In the 1985 hit “We Built This City” by San Francisco band Starship, a DJ says, “Here’s your favorite station, in your favorite radio city, the city by the blank, the city that blanks, the city that never blanks.” Fill in the blanks.

bay, rocks, sleeps

Grasshopper Cup Tiebreaker

1. The animated series Peppa Pig details the anthropomorphic family of Peppa, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and Peppa’s little brother. What is her brother’s first name?
   

George

• Large water mains have broken and shut down this east-west Los Angeles boulevard at least twice in the past few months, first above UCLA and then in West Hollywood late last month. Name the boulevard.

Sunset Boulevard

• A nurse’s assistant in what country became the first person to contract Ebola outside West Africa?

Spain

• Wyatt Isabelle has been born at Cedars-Sinai to the woman who voices Meg on Family Guy and the man who is currently the star of Two and a Half Men. Name the proud parents.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher

• In April, a bus carrying 43 area high school students headed to Humboldt State was slammed head-on by a FedEx truck, killing 10 bus passengers plus the truck driver. In what Northern California city did this accident occur

Orland

• In July, a CHP officer was caught on cell-phone video punching a woman. Name the officer involved, the woman who was punched, and, by number, the freeway on which this incident occurred.

Officer Daniel Andrew; Marlene Pinnock; and the 10 freeway

• The 2013-14 water year was the fourth driest on record for the state of California. What month and date does the state’s water year end on?

September 30

• A pilot was killed Tuesday when his S-2T tanker crashed near Arch Rock while he was fighting a fire at Yosemite National Park. What was the name of the blaze he was battling?

Dog Rock fire

• In reference to representatives of Scotland, Wales and Northern Island having votes in England-only matters, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron mentioned the (Blank) (Blank) Question. What are the two blanks?

West Lothian

• A 4-year-old New Jersey boy was recently the first confirmed fatality attributed to a particular strain of enterovirus. What is the two-digit numbered designation of this D strain?

68

• At the height of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Oprah Winfrey challenged three people — director Steven Spielberg, actor Manish Dayal of The Hundred-Foot Journey, and an Oscar-winning actress. Name this actress.

Helen Mirren

• Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is exhibiting his most recent collection at this iconic California location. Name it.

Alcatraz

• Pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong are demanding the resignation of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory’s chief executive. Name him.

C.Y. Leung (Chung-ying Leung)

• September saw four named tropical storms in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and all four turned into Hurricanes. The first two were Norbert and Odile. Name the next two.

Polo and Rachel

• The Los Angeles Opera had a live performance broadcast at the Santa Monica Pier last month. What was the name of the opera they performed

La Traviata

• Hewlett-Packard announced Monday it was splitting into two separate publicly traded companies. In 1999, HP had spun off the part of the company that made electronic testing gear and hardware not related to computers, storage and printing. What was the name of that spin-off

Agilent Technologies (or just Agilent)

• In June, a Northern California man arrested on felony weapons charges became nationally known as the ‘Hot Convict’ when his mug shot went viral. What was his name?

Jeremy Meeks 

• Three people have been Chancellor of Germany since reunification in 1990. Name these three people.

Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schröeder, Angela Merkel

• What automobile company produces Italian car lines Alfa Romeo and Maserati?

Fiat (or Fiat Group)

• Which vessel in the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling fleet is named after a former game show host?

The Bob Barker

• By winning this year’s Oscar for Original Song for “Let It Go” along with his wife Kristen, this Filipino-American composer became the only person out of the 12 that have won the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, to have done so within the same decade. Name him.

Robert Lopez

• If you’ve been reading the AAJA-LA website, you should know the answer to this question. How many teams competed in Trivia Bowl III in 1996?

Five teams

• Oktoberfest had its beginnings NOT at the first AAJA-LA Trivia Bowl but instead in Munich, Germany, as a celebration of the marriage of Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen to this Crown Prince, who would later become King of Bavaria. Name this King. (We just need his first name).

Ludwig I

• While the shot was taken on her phone, or at least the phone she had on hand, it was not Ellen DeGeneres, the host of the 2014 Oscars, who snapped the famous “A-list group selfie.” Who actually took the photo?

Bradley Cooper

• On Oct. 5, Disney closed a portion of the Norway section in its EPCOT theme park to install an attraction based on the movie Frozen. What is the name of the popular ride closing to make way for Olaf and friends?

The Maelstrom

• Name the first man elected president of the United States who represented the Whig party.

William Henry Harrison

• An area east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, known for great hiking among its rock formations, was named the most recent U.S. National Park in 2013. What is the name of this park?

Pinnacles

• A 37-year-old lawyer in Mexico has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records by amassing the world’s largest collection of a particular franchise of memorabilia, having 3,097 pieces. “My salary, my bonuses, it all ended up here,” he told the AP. What does this man collect?

Harry Potter

• Kidrobot founder Paul Budnitz launched an invite-only social media network this summer that promises users no ads and no data mining. What is the name of this network?

Ello

• In March 2003, the Secret Service became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Before 2003, which department oversaw the Secret Service?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury

• Jean-Claude Duvalier, the notorious dictator of Haiti who was ousted in 1986, died of a heart attack on Oct. 4 at the age of 63. What was Duvalier’s famous nickname?

“Baby Doc”

• Not only did this actress win her sixth Tony Award this year, she is the only actor to win a Tony in each of the four major competitive categories. Who is she?

Audra McDonald

• Hello Kitty, who we now know — although deny — is a little cartoon girl, has a pet cat. What is the name of Hello Kitty’s pet kitty?

Charmmy Kitty 

• While he’s an accomplished producer, and had one of the biggest hits of the year in “Happy,” Pharrell Williams has gotten much attention for the oversized ranger-style hat he debuted at the Grammys. Name the designer of this hat.

Vivienne Westwood

• The two Fridays at Coachella 2014 were headlined by a reunited hip-hop act while the Sundays were headlined by a Canadian band. Name these two groups in order.

Outkast and Arcade Fire

• In The Chainsmokers’s song “#selfie”, a female voice asks what Instagram filters she should use when taking a selfie. Name the two filters she considered.

XX Pro, or X Pro, and Valencia

• In the 2004 movie Mean Girls, Cady Heron, played by Lindsay Lohan, must deal with a mean group of girls led by Regina George, played by Rachel McAdams. What is the name of Regina’s clique?

The Plastics

• This deejay is well known for throwing sheet cakes at members of the audience during his energetic shows. Name him.

Steve Aoki

• What 1973 film made iconic use of the Scott Joplin ragtime classic “The Entertainer”?

The Sting

• What was the first name of Lizzie McGuire’s best female friend on the early aughts TV series by the same name?

Miranda 

• The CBS drama The Good Wife stunned fans in its fifth season with the death of an original character. Name the character and the actor who portrayed him.

Will Gardner, played by Josh Charles

• Tom Clancy’s CIA agent character, Jack Ryan, has been depicted by four different actors in five feature films. Name those four actors by their first and last names.

Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine

• In the film The Return of the Jedi, Jabba the Hut had a lizard-like court jester by his side, known for his shrill laugh. What was the two-word name of this creature?

Salacious Crumb

• As the World War I flying ace in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” Snoopy listens to to Schroder play a medley of World War I songs on his toy piano, starting with a song titled, “It’s A (Blank) Way to (Blank).” Fill in the two blanks for the song’s title.

Long and Tipperary

• Last Christmas, Kanye West commissioned an artist whose work has been exhibited at the Guggenheim and MOMA to hand-paint an Hermès Birkin bag for his wife Kim Kardashian. New York Magazine’s fashion website The Cut called it “the ugliest bag in the history of civilization.” Name the bag’s artist.

George Condo

• At the end of Grey’s Anatomy’s last season, Dr. Christina Yang, played by Sandra Oh, left Seattle’s Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital for a job at a hospital in which European city?

Zürich

• In The Book Thief, Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel set in Nazi Germany, the story is narrated by an iconic mythological character. Name this character.

Death

• This Greek scholar and one-time chief librarian for the Great Library of Alexandria, calculated the circumference of the Earth to the equivalent of about 40,000 kilometers. Not bad for around 200 BC. Name this scholar, who was name-checked by Neil Degrasse Tyson on Cosmos.

Eratosthenes 

• In August, coastal waters off California and other parts were invaded by giant floating herds of this blue animal, similar to a Portuguese man-o-war. Name the genus to which this animal belongs.

Velella

• Name the three countries that began with the letter H that are also members of the United Nations. And no, we are not looking for Holland.

Haiti, Honduras, Hungary

• The Fault in Our Stars, a novel by John Green, features a cancer patient and cancer survivor as the main protagonists. What are these characters’ first names?

Hazel and Augustus

• As part of their recent April Fool’s Day tradition, Google Maps turned into a hunting game of sorts this year, so users could use the app to find… what?

Pokemon!

• Emma Thompson starred in the movie Saving Mr. Banks as the author of Mary Poppins. What is the author’s name?

P.L. Travers

• If you listed the European capital cities in alphabetical order, which one would be last? Name it and the country.

Zagreb, Croatia

• The famous character Captain Nemo appears in two of Jules Verne’s novels. One was Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. What was the other?

The Mysterious Island

• If you’re driving from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, to Peshawar, Pakistan, you’ll have to take Asian Highway 1, or AH1, through this particularly treacherous mountain pass. Name this pass.

The Khyber Pass

• There may be a murder of crows, a convocation of eagles and a kit of pigeons, but if you have a group of owls or rooks, what is the traditional “noun of assembly,” or collective noun, for those birds?

A parliament 

• What synonym for ‘devil’ literally translates from Hebrew as ‘The Lord of the Flies’?

Beelzebub

• On the Nutrition Facts information label on U.S. food packaging, Percent Daily Values are calculated based on a diet of how many calories per day?

2,000

• In physics, what is the derived unit for Force, according to the International System of Units?

Newton, or N. 

• In the beloved children’s classic The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, what is the first name of the main character?

Peter

• A win, a tie and a loss was the record for the US men’s soccer team in group play during the 2014 World Cup. What country did they draw against

Portugal

• Its most famous race is the Daytona 500. What does the acronym NASCAR stand for? Be exact.

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing

• In 1949, this three-year girl fell into a well in San Marino and died. Though a local story, the rescue attempt was a major national television broadcast event. Name this girl by her first and last name.

Kathy Fiscus

• In August, the designer behind the look of the Santa Monica and Culver City buses, and the 1984 Olympics, died. Name her.

Deborah Sussman

• In June, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw pitched a no-hitter widely regarded as one of the best pitching performances in Major League history. However, his bid for a perfect game was ruined by an error from one of his teammates. Who was the Dodger charged with the error?

Hanley Ramirez

• With a silver medal in the women’s bobsled at the Sochi Games, this American sprinter became the fifth person to medal in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. Name her.

Lauryn Williams

• Two universities joined the Big Ten athletic conference this year. Name both schools, and how many total schools are now in the Big Ten.

The University of Maryland, Rutgers University, and 14

• The NBA finals MVP was San Antonio Spurs small forward Kahwi Leonard. What California university did he attend?

San Diego State University

• The defensive backfield of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, which includes the now well-known Richard Sherman, has its own nickname. What is it?

The Legion of Boom (or LOB)

• Located on the Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume roads, this state beach is named after a former star of the Bonanza TV series. Name him. (We are looking for his real name)

Dan Blocker

• Known as the granddaddy of Latin music programs, KXLU’s long-running weekend radio program from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. is called what?

Alma del Barrio

• In July, this Texas resident became the first woman to qualify for the finals of American Ninja Warrior. The video of her completing the semi-final course went viral. Name her.

Kacy Catanzaro

• Speaking of nicknames, what is the nickname given to the defensive threesome of Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli when they appear on the ice together for the LA Kings?

That 70’s Line

• The world’s oldest operating McDonald’s is in the city of… Downey. And the original mascot of the burger chain stands atop a large street sign at this location. What is the mascot’s name?

Speedee

• At the beginning of Sheryl Crow’s 1993 hit song “All I Wanna Do,” she says, “This ain’t no (Blank). It ain’t no (Blank) (Blank) either. This is L.A.” Fill in the blanks.

disco, country club

• The City of Los Angeles elected a new mayor this year. Name him.

Eric Garcetti

• Twerking pop singer Miley Cyrus caused a stir at the VMAs and hosted SNL. She also got in a Twitter war with a former pop singer, who had written her several open letters. Name that singer.

Sinead OʼConnor

• Name the Army captain who received the Medal of Honor this week for his actions in the 2009 Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan.

William Swenson

• In March, Margie Carranza and her mother, Emma Hernandez, were delivering newspapers in Torrance when a hail of bullets pierced their pickup truck as LAPD officers mistook it for the one driven by then-fugitive Christopher Dorner. What were the color, make and model of their truck

Blue Toyota Tacoma

• Spanish businessman Amancio Ortega rose this year to No. 3 on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest people on the strength of his fashionable stores. Name his retail empire.

Zara

• Media mogul Rupert Murdoch filed for divorce in June from his wife of 14 years. What is her name?

Wendi Deng

• A marine science teacher needed more than a dozen people to help her haul in to Catalina Islandʼs shore the carcass of a rarely seen, 18-foot-long serpent-like fish. What is the common name for this fish?

an oarfish

• What is the full name of the health law now commonly called Obamacare?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (also ok: Affordable Care Act)

• Mitch McConnell is the minority leader in the Senate and Harry Reid is the majority leader. Who is the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate?

Dick Durbin

• Two weeks ago, police in Ventura County arrested 21 people allegedly tied to the sales of prescription drugs through…what?

Craigslist

• Whistleblower Edward Snowden said he last worked within the NSA as a contractor for a consulting firm. Name the consulting firm.

Booz Allen Hamilton or Booz Allen

• Iran recently inaugurated a new president. Name him.

Hassan Rouhani

• Australia also elected a new prime minister in September. Name him.

Tony Abbott

• In May, one of the largest and fastest tornados recorded touched down in Central Oklahoma, killing 23 people. Name the town that bore most of the destruction.

Moore

• Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani student who has become a girls’ education activist, was just announced as an honorary citizen of what country during its annual throne speech?

Canada

• In August, the National Institutes of Health announced it was giving the family of this woman some control over the use and distribution of genetic code that was acquired from her in the 1950s without her knowledge. Name her.

Henrietta Lacks

• In September, the Dow Jones Industrial Average expunged three companies from their index to add Nike, Visa and Goldman Sachs. Name one of these three former members.

HP (or Hewlett-Packard); BofA (or Bank of America) or Alcoa.

• Half-Donut, Half-Croissant — “cronuts” have been immensely popular since they were introduced in May at a bakery in New York Cityʼs SoHo. Name this bakery.

Dominique Ansel Bakery. (Ansel Bakery and Ansel okay. Dominque NOT okay)

• In June, the President and Mrs. Obama took a short tour of Africa, including a stop in this country on Africaʼs west coast. Name it.

Senegal

• The alleged owner of an illegal drug-trading site, Ross William Ulbricht, a.k.a. “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was arrested by the FBI in what major U.S. city?

San Francisco

• In 1954, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company took on a new name.  What was that name?

British Petroleum, or BP

• The remains of King Richard III were discovered this year under a parking lot in which English city?

Leicester

• In April, the Boston Marathon was attacked with explosives at its finish line.  Name the street that the Boston Marathon finishes on.

Boylston Street

• What is founder of the Nobel Peace Prize, Alfred Nobel, famous for inventing?

Dynamite

• Their scientific name is Sula nebouxii, and since last month, several of these seabirds have been showing up along the Southern California coast. Whatʼs is common name of this bird?  Be specific.

A blue-footed booby

• Fifty years ago, Congressman John Lewis was the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  What is the full name of the organization that Lewis was chairman of at that time?

Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee or Student National Coordinating Committee

• Name the artist who worked on the cover of Lady Gagaʼs third album, ArtPop, released Oct. 5?

Jeff Koons

• What is the name of the San Diego Zoo panda that gave birth to now 7-month-old panda cub Xiao Liwu?

Bai Yun

• This yearʼs massive Rim Fire became the third largest wildfire in the history of California. Name the National Forest where this fire started.

Stanislaus National Forest

• Mexico ceded California to America with the signing of the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hildalgo in what year?

1848

• Chili Palmer was a main character in this Elmore Leonard novel, adapted into a 1995 movie with the same name. What is the title?

Get Shorty

• In May, Angelina Jolie announced she had undergone a double mastectomy because she carried a defective gene associated with a dramatic increase in rates of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Name this gene.

BRCA1 or BRCA

• The Costa Concordia was uprighted in September through a system of pulleys. Whatʼs the term for this technique?

parbuckling

• In John Milton’s poem “Paradise Lost,” which word, meaning “riotous uproar,” was the name of Satan’s capital?

Pandemonium

• An ‘astronomical unit,’ abbreviated as ‘au,’ is the measure of length between which two celestial bodies?

The Earth and the Sun

• That thing? The metal band that keeps the rubber eraser attached to the pencil? It has a name. What is it?

A ferrule

• Tarzan and John Carter are characters created by what American author

Edgar Rice Borroughs

• What is the first, or given, name of Mr. Darcy in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice?

Fitzwilliam

• A baby crow is called a chick; a baby goose is called a gosling.  What is a baby swan called?

A cygnet; flapper also acceptable.

• What nine-letter word represents a chain of islands, a syrup, and a kind of necktie?

Grenadine

• Who wrote the opera Tosca?

Giacomo Puccini

• In culinary terms, what is the verb for cutting food into long thin slices?

Julienning, or to julienne

• What country seceded from Pakistan in 1971?

Bangladesh

• In the 1989 Tom Petty song “Free Fallin,” he sings of a long day living in a San Fernando Valley neighborhood, with a freeway running through the yard. Name this neighborhood.

Reseda

• Scott OʼDellʼs book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” was based on the true story of a Nicoleño Indian woman, Juana Maria, who was stranded on an island off Californiaʼs coast for 20 years. Name this Island.

San Nicholas

• In the Jackson 5ʼs hit song “The Love You Save,” Michael Jackson describes what “S-T-O-P” stands for. What two-word phrase does “O” stand for?

Oh No

• Macklemore and Ryan Lewis had a big hit this year titled “Same Love” featuring a female singer on the chorus. Name this singer.

Mary Lambert

• In an iconic scene from the 1989 movie “Say Anything,” Lloyd Dobbler, played by John Cusack, holds a boombox over his head to get the attention of valedictorian Diane Court, played by Ione Skye. Name the song played at this scene in the movie.

“In Your Eyes”

• In September, Warner Bros. announced a new film franchise based on a J.K. Rowling book in the Harry Potter Universe. Name the full title of this book.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

• The early 90s Nickelodeon show “Rugrats” centered on baby Tommy Pickles and his playmates. Two of these friends were twins. What are their first names?

Phil and Lil

• #WorldWarA was the trending hashtag for this hour-long TV showʼs recent season finale. Name this show.

Pretty Little Liars

• Denzel Washington has signed on to star in The Equalizer, a film based on the 80’s CBS TV drama that starred what actor as the title character?

Edward Woodward

• What was the last film with a one-word title to win Best Picture at the Oscars?

Argo

• On the HBO series Game of Thrones, the episode entitled “The Rains of Castemere,” and the main event that happened in the episode, are better known by fans of the show and books as what?

The Red Wedding

• In 1999, Sanrio introduced a boyfriend — well, a close male friend — to Hello Kitty. What is his name?

Dear Daniel (Daniel Starr or Daniel acceptable)

• The 1986 film Top Gun was released this year in 3-D. In order, what are the pilot nicknames for the characters played by Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer?

Maverick, Goose and Iceman

• Helen Hunt got a bit of red carpet notoriety when she revealed her navy silk strapless gown at this yearʼs Oscars did not come from a high-end designer. What mass retail brand did Hunt wear?

H&M

• Which Cole Porter musical features the song “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”?

High Society

• In the original Star Wars film released in 1977, Obi-Wan Kenobi says of the port of Mos Eisley, “You will never find a more wretched hive of ______ and _______?”

Scum and villainy

• In the TV series Breaking Bad, protagonist Walter White used to work at a carwash with the slogan “Youʼve tried the rest. Now try the best.” What was the name of the car wash company?

A1A Car Wash

• Tokyo won the bid to host the Games of the 32nd Olympiad in 2020, becoming the first Asian city to host the Olympics twice. When did Tokyo last get the Summer Games?

1964

• Chicago Blackhawks captain Patrick Kane won this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs MVP title. For that, he gets a trophy. What is the name of that trophy?

The Conn-Smythe Trophy

• Now a rookie with the Utah Jazz, this former guard for the Michigan Wolverines received this yearʼs John R. Wooden award for the nationʼs most outstanding menʼs college basketball player. Name him.

Trey Burke

• Aside from a flip, what are the three main types of jumps in figure skating that usually involve at least two revolutions?

axel, lutz, salchow

• In June, Kerry Washington, star of ABCʼs Scandal, married a cornerback from the San Francisco 49ers. Name him.

Nnamdi Asomugha

• On May 16, soccer star David Beckham announced his retirement from the sport after a 20-year career. What was the name of the last city and club for which Beckham played?

Paris Saint-Germain

• What jersey number does Dodger rookie sensation Yasiel Puig wear?

66

• In ascending order from lowest to highest by their one- or two- digit designations, name all six federal Interstates that cut through California and into a neighboring state.

5, 8, 10, 15, 40, 80

• The Los Angeles County Registrarʼs headquarters is in this Los Angeles County City. Name it.

Norwalk

• You probably have a green-capped bottle of Sriracha hot chili sauce in your refrigerator. Name the Southern California company that manufactures the sauce.

Huy Fong Foods, Inc. or Huy Fong

• One was famous in his commercials with his dog Spot, the other for his public television show that traveled around the state, yet neither were native Californians. Name the birth states for Cal Worthington, and for Huell Howser, respectively.

Oklahoma and Tennessee

• Only one Los Angeles County North-South surface street has onramps to the 5, 10, 60 and 210 freeways. Name this street.

Rosemead Blvd. Will accept Route 19

• The 10th UC system campus opened in 2005, the nation’s first public research university to be built in the 21st century and the first new UC campus in 40 years. Where is this campus located?

Merced

• In the lyrics to Ice Cubeʼs classic song “It Was a Good Day,” what team did the Los Angeles Lakers beat?

Supersonics (Seattle okay)

• In Woody Allenʼs 1977 Best Picture winner Annie Hall, his character said of Los Angeles: “I don’t want to move to a city where the only cultural advantage is being able to make a _____ _____ on a ______ ______.” Fill in the four blanks.

Right Turn, Red Light