April 2010 League Q & A
Below are the Questions and Answers to the News Brain Challenge.
World and National News
1. The recent space shuttle mission was called the “STS-131.” The mission carried a walk-in closet logistics module with science racks to what place?
- Galileo telescope
- Hubble Space Telescope
- Mars Rover
- International Space Station
2. What high-ranking political leader threw out the first pitch at the Washington Nationals baseball season opener?
- President Obama
- Vice President Biden
- Secretary of State Clinton
- ex-President Clinton
3. The people of what Eastern European nation were left devastated when the president, his wife and other national officials were killed in a plane crash?
- Czechoslovakia
- Poland
- Bulgaria
- Romania
4. In early April, what space shuttle lifted off on a space mission?
- Endeavour
- Atlantis
- Explorer
- Discovery
5. The Obama Administration has been working to repair relations with Hamid Karzai, who hinted that he may support the Taliban in what nation?
- Iran
- Iraq
- Yemen
- Afghanistan
6. The latest unemployment rate is the same as last month, at what percent?
7. What religious leader recently spoke out against critics of the Roman Catholic Church, saying there is a cultural war going on over social issues?
- Pope Benedict XVI
- Dalai Lama
- Pope John Paul II
- Billy Graham
8. In what U.S. state did twenty-five miners die in the worst mining accident in decades?
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- Mississippi
9. In Prague, President Obama signed a pact to reduce nuclear weapons with what nation once called a “superpower?”
- Japan
- Russia
- Czechoslovakia
- India
10. In mid-April, First Lady Michelle Obama embarked on her first “solo” international trip as First Lady when she visited what nation on her first stop of a three-day trip?
People News
11. What men’s basketball team practices on the movie set of “Hoosiers” and had the rare benefit of a short six-mile drive to their game in the Final Four?
- Indiana
- Butler
- Gonzaga
- Northern Indiana
12. Who is Stefani Germanotta?
- lead dancer on Dancing With the Stars
- American Idol finalist
- director of The Last Song
- real name of Lady GaGa
13. Who is Liam Hemsworth?
- lead dancer on Dancing With the Stars
- American Idol finalist
- actor in The Last Song
- Lady GaGa’s ex-boyfriend who sued her
14. In early April, the space shuttle lifted off on a space mission with seven astronauts. One of them was a female partner astronaut from the Aerospace Exploration Agency of what nation?
- Canada
- China
- Russia
- Japan
15. The NFL’s oldest punter signed for another year to play with the New York Giants. What age is Jeff Feagles?
16. History was made in April when a record how many women orbited the Earth aboard the International Space Station?
17. History was made at the Masters when Italian Matteo Manassero became the youngest to make a Masters cut to continue play on Saturday and Sunday. What is his age?
18. Who was the first running back chosen in the 2010 NFL Draft?
- Ndamukong Suh
- Sam Bradford
- Colt McCoy
- C.J. Spiller
19. On Easter Sunday, thousands of prayer goers joined Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican City square for an Easter Mass. The square and basilica is named after which saint?
- St. John
- St. Paul
- St. Peter
- St. Andrew
20. What athlete’s recent success in competition gave much attention to the fight against breast cancer in America?
- Phil Mickelson
- Kobe Bryant
- Josh Beckett
- Jimmie Johnson
Geography
21. The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival was held in what U.S. capital city?
- Washington D.C.
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- Boston
22. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the gift of cherry trees in 1912 from the people of what world capital to the people of the U.S. capital?
- Paris
- Athens
- Moscow
- Tokyo
23. For the first two weeks of April, what smallest planet in the solar system was easier to see because it appeared close to Venus in the western sky?
- Mercury
- Saturn
- Pluto
- Mars
24. In early April, a 7.2 earthquake struck Baja California and then days later a 7.7 earthquake struck Sumatra, an island of what nation?
- Taiwan
- China
- Japan
- Indonesia
25. In mid-April, thousands of flights were cancelled in Europe because of an ash cloud caused by a volcano that erupted below a glacier in Iceland, a northern European nation. What is the name of the Icelandic glacier near the volcano?
- Iceland Glacier
- Great Scandinavian Glacier
- Keflavik Reykjavik
- Eyjafjallajokull
26. One of the most-watched sporting events in April was the Masters golf tournament. According to Masters legend, where is “Amen’s Corner?”
- hole #9
- hole #10
- hole #11
- holes #11, #12 and #13
27. In what city did Christians gather during Holy Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which tradition holds to be the site of Jesus’ resurrection after he was crucified?
- Golgotha
- Jerusalem
- Rome
- Vatican City
28. As part of a new quarter program with the theme “America the Beautiful,” the U.S. Mint unveiled new quarters honoring America’s four oldest national parks, Hot Springs, Yellowstone, Yosemite and which other park?
- Grand Canyon
- Great Smoky Mountains
- Mount Hood
- Chief Crazy Horse
29. Target Field has the largest high-definition scoreboard in the major leagues. In what city is Target Field located?
- Minneapolis
- Detroit
- Milwaukee
- St. Louis
30. The recent space shuttle mission was called the “STS-131.” The mission was to continue building the largest space lab. The International Space Station is located 230 miles above Earth and orbits the Earth how many times a day?
Arts/Entertainment and Sports News
31. In late April, what highest-grossing film in the history of Hollywood was released on DVD and Blu-ray?
- Gone With the Wind
- The Ten Commandments
- Avatar
- Rocky
32. What schools won the women’s and men’s Big Dance, respectively?
- UConn-Duke
- UConn-Kansas
- UConn-Oklahoma
- UConn-Northern Iowa
33. Jars of Clay, Skillet, Jason Crabb and Matt Maher received six nominations for what gospel awards show held on April 25th on GMC?
34. Who was the #1 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft?
- Kelsey Griffin
- Andrea Riley
- Maya Moore
- Tina Charles
35. The #1 iTunes download in mid-April was what song by B.o.B?
- Hey Soul Sister
- Nothin’ On You
- Break Your Heart
- Telephone
36. What golfer won the 2010 Masters?
- Tiger Woods
- Angel Cabrera
- Phil Mickelson
- Kenny Perry
37. Who won the Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year?
- Keith Urban
- Carrie Underwood
- Brad Paisley
- Taylor Swift
38. What team entered the NBA playoffs with the best regular season record?
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Boston Celtics
- Orlando Magic
39. Walmart and Proctor and Gamble teamed up to produce the NBC TV family film “Secrets of the Mountain.” What actress plays Dana James who takes her family to visit a mountain cabin they inherited from their eccentric Uncle Henry?
- Jamie Oliver
- Brooke White
- Paige Turco
- Kayla Carlson
40. On April 17th, Ubaldo Jimenez of what National League team threw the first no-hitter in the majors this season?
- Astros
- Rockies
- Dodgers
- Braves
Mr. News Owl’s Top Ten Questions
41. How many NBA teams qualified to begin the playoffs?
42. The first Thursday in April was Holy Thursday and what other day?
- Arbor Day
- first day of Spring
- Big Dance National Finals
- April Fool’s Day
43. As a part of President Obama’s new space exploration goals, he ended President Bush’s long-term program which projected Americans going back to the moon. What is the name of President Bush’s moon program that was ended?
- Orion
- Galaxy
- Star Wars
- Constellation
44. In April, all outlets of what largest U.S. restaurant chain began offering a breakfast menu?
- Subway
- McDonald’s
- Burger King
- King Kong
45. One year ago April 12th, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline was $2.08. On April 12, 2010 what was the average price for gas?
46. After gaining win #1,333 for the Golden State Warriors, Don Nelson became the winningest coach in NBA history. What is the nickname of his basketball philosophy that sometimes utilizes several small players on the court?
- Nelly Ball
- Oh Nelly
- Donny Ball
- Oh Donny
47. In April, the nation celebrates Arbor Day, a day that encourages people to do what?
- plant trees
- pray
- quit smoking for a day
- read
48. What day was April 22?
- Earth Day
- Passover
- Good Friday
- Easter
49. What was the sum of the seeds in the 2010 men’s Big Dance Final Four?
50. What was the sum of the seeds in the 2010 women’s Big Dance Final Four?