December 9
1) What former world leader passed away last week at the age of 95?
c) Nelson Mandela
Mandela became the first Black president of South Africa after fighting for decades to end the country’s apartheid system.
https://theweek.com/article/index/253787/nelson-mandela-dead-at-95
2) The economy grew at a surprisingly brisk pace last quarter. How much did it grow?
b) 3.2%
That was the highest rate of growth in 18 months. The unemployment rate also dropped to 7%, a five year low.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/12/05/third-quarter-gdp/3877049/
3) President Obama recently announced that he supports Congressional legislation that would raise the minimum wage to what level?
c) $10.10
The legislation has been introduced by two Congressional Democrats. Critics say the increase would hurt businesses and kill hiring. Proponents say the increase would help to reduce the growing income inequality in America.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/obama-minimum-wage_n_4235965.html
4) Who was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year?
b) Pope Francis
The magazine chose Francis because he has created a renewed interest in Catholicism through his emphasis on compassion and helping the poor.
https://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/pope-francis-the-choice/
5) The leader of what country recently executed his uncle?
d) North Korea
Jang Song Thaek -- uncle of leader Kim Jong Un -- was accused of trying to seize power after the death of his brother last year.
6) President Obama was criticized last week for shaking hands with what world leader?
d) Raul Castro of Cuba
The United States and Cuba have not had formal diplomatic ties since Castro’s brother Fidel took over the country in the early 1960s.
https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-obama-castro-20131211,0,1658903.story#axzz2mwuABwo1
7) United Nations inspectors entered this country last week to inspect its nuclear facilities. What country?
c) Iran
Inspectors were allowed in for the first time as a result of a deal reached a few weeks ago.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/08/us-iran-nuclear-idUSBRE9B704820131208
8) Last week, the United Nations announced that it was authorizing a peacekeeping mission in what country?
c) Central African Republic
Fighting has been raging in the CAR since an attempted coup d’etat months ago. The peacekeeping mission will consist of French and African forces.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/05/world/africa/un-central-african-republic-meeting/
9) What country recently became the first to make it legal to grow, sell and smoke marijuana?
b) Uruguay
The law was designed to take control of the market out of the hands of criminals.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/11/us-uruguay-marijuana-vote-idUSBRE9BA01520131211
10) Protesters in this country knocked down a statue of Vladimir Lenin. What country?
a) Ukraine
Protests have been going on for weeks there. The protesters want the country to align more closely with Europe while the current government wants to align the country more closely with Russia.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/08/world/europe/ukraine-protests/
11) What country recently put a spacecraft on the moon?
c) China
It was the first soft landing on the moon in 37 years.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25356603
12) What company recently announced that it plans to start making some deliveries by drone?
a) Amazon
The drones can carry up to five pounds for ten miles. Deliveries are scheduled to start within five years.
13) The United States recently hit a major milestone in its relationship with General Motors (GM). What was it?
a) The United States sold the last of the GM stock it bought during the “auto bailout”
When the stock purchase / bailout took place in 2009, GM was on the verge of going out of business, but it is now turning a profit again. The bailout will end up costing taxpayers around $10 billion.
https://money.cnn.com/2013/12/09/news/companies/gm-bailout-stock-sale/index.html
14) Mary Barra recently became the first female CEO of a major automotive company. What company?
c) General Motors
Barra, 51, has worked for the company since she was 18.
15) The United States was placed into a “Group of Death” during last week’s World Cup draw. Which of the following teams is NOT in America’s group for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil?
d) Brazil
The four teams in the group will play each other in a round robin format and only the top two teams will advance to the next round.