Play the Slate News Quiz

The Slate News Quiz always requires razor-sharp reflexes, but if you're still in a post-Thanksgiving food coma, fear not: This week's food news was a real pick-me-up. First, Hostess announced it was filing for bankruptcy, so reflex-dulling Twinkies and Ho Hos will soon be harder to find. And then Frito-Lay announced that caffeinated Cracker Jacks, of all things, will be hitting supermarket shelves soon. Snack food: The cause of, and solution to, all life's problems!

Question 1 of 12

What is the "Iron Dome," the subject of many headlines this week following a March 2011 debut?

The rocket defense system is said to have intercepted almost one thousand Gaza-launched rockets.

Question 2 of 12

An unemployed Scottish man named Armstrong Baillie made headlines worldwide this week for his practice of performing random good deeds whilst doing what?

Mr. Baillie, who calls himself "the Good Giraffe," travels the highways and byways of Scotland twice a week wearing a furry suit his mother made him.

Question 3 of 12

In a historic first this week, a Facebook poll was used to determine what outcome?

Despite the results of the poll, both "Cobbler" and his alternate "Gobbler" were spared and will live out their lives at Mount Vernon.

Question 4 of 12

President Obama's trip to Asia this week included the first ever visit to what nation by a sitting president?

Question 5 of 12

The largest criminal fine in United States history?$4.5 billion?was assessed last week against what company?

BP's fine was a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Question 6 of 12

George Sabra told reporters this week that a $60 billion "Marshall plan" of foreign aid will be needed to rebuild after what?

Sabra heads the Syrian National Council, a new coalition opposing the rule of Bashar al-Assad.

Question 7 of 12

A new analysis of the body of 16th-century Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe disproved what historical theory about him?

Despite all the conspiracy theories surrounding Brahe's 1601 death, mercury levels in his bones were normal. His death was probably due to a boring old burst bladder.

Question 8 of 12

Whose resignation was prompted by accusations from a 24-year-old model and criminal psychology student named Cecil Singleton?

Clash was the voice and puppeteer of Sesame Street's Elmo for more than two decades.

Question 9 of 12

Of the 169 million smartphones sold last quarter worldwide, what was true of 72.4 percent of them, up from 52.5 percent last year?

Google Android is the operating system of choice for low-end smartphones, which top sales figures in many markets.

Question 10 of 12

Negotiations began this week to end a 50-year war between government troops and FARC guerrillas. FARC is an acronym for the "revolutionary armed forces" of where?

Question 11 of 12

Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee, now a fugitive wanted for murder in Belize, made the unusual decision this week to begin doing what?

For reasons known only to him, McAfee's new blog even includes descriptions of the disguises he's using to duck authorities.

Question 12 of 12

A Chinese construction company is planning a record-breaking 220-story building in Changsha, China next year. What will be most unusual about the building's construction?

Broad Sustainable Building announced last week that it will begin the Sky City skyscraper in January and finish it in March, by stacking prefabricated units.

You got 8 out of 12 answers correct in 20 minutes 30 seconds.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=dc18614d62074b5a20764609e2ddfc3d

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