1) Due to a chemical spill, over 300,000 people in this state have been warned not to drink the water. What state?
d) West Virginia
The chemical leaked from a tank owned by Freedom Industries and is used in the coal preparation process.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/10/west-virginia-chemical-spill-water-investigation
2) The governor of this state became embroiled in controversy last week after it was discovered that some of his aides intentionally created traffic problems for the residents of a Democratic-leaning city. What state?
c) New Jersey
The mayor of the town, Fort Lee, had refused to endorse Christie in the recent gubernatorial election.
3) Former prime minister Ariel Sharon died recently at the age of 85. Of what country had he previously led?
b) Israel
Sharon was known for being a staunch defender of Israeli sovereignty and for being very tough in the Palestinians.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/former-israeli-pm-ariel-sharon-dies
4) Who was recently confirmed by the United States Senate to be the next chairperson of the Federal Reserve?
a) Janet Yellen
The Federal Reserve controls the money supply and plays an important role in determining interest rates.
5) What former basketball player recently took a team to North Korea to play for his friend Kim Jong Un?
c) Dennis Rodman
Rodman has become friendly with the dictator, despite the fact that Kim Jong Un is a pariah in the international community. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/06/dennis-rodman-north-korea/4335497/
6) The United State Senate spent last week arguing about what issue?
a) Extending unemployment benefits to the long term unemployed
Republicans in the Senate and the House are refusing to extend the benefits unless the cost of doing so is offset by other spending cuts.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/05/us-usa-congress-idUSBREA040E720140105
7) A judge in this city recently found its handgun ban to be unconstitutional. What city?
a) Chicago
Specifically, he found that the ban did not comply with the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/06/us-usa-guns-chicago-idUSBREA0515J20140106
8) What former cabinet member recently published a memoir that was, in places, critical of the Obama administration?
c) Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Gates served as Secretary of Defense for both President Bush and President Obama.
https://theweek.com/article/index/254762/5-takeaways-from-robert-gates-explosive-new-memoir
9) Target announced last week that more people than originally believed may have had their personal data stolen after shopping there last fall. How many people may have been affected, according to the most recent announcement?
d) 70,000,000
The hacking occurred between November 27 and December 15.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/10/target-customers-data-breach/4404467/
10) This player was recently suspended by Major League Baseball for 162 games for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy. What player?
b) Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez is considering suing Major League Baseball.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/01/11/alex-rodriguez-suspended-162-games/1586466/