1) In a case followed intently by many, defendant George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. In what state was Zimmerman put on trial?
a) Florida
Zimmerman, a white man, admitted that he shot and killed African-American Martin, but claimed that he acted in self-defense against the unarmed teenager. The case made headline news, in large part because it brought up issues of race.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/13/george-zimmerman-found-not-guilty/2514163/
2) Sixteen year-old Malala Yousafzai addressed the United Nations last week on the issue of global education. What country is she from?
d) Pakistan
Last year, Malala was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban because she spoke publicly about the importance of educating young girls. The U.N. declared Friday “Malala Day.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23282662
3) What member of President Obama’s cabinet is resigning?
d) Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Napolitano has served on the cabinet since early 2009. She is leaving to become president of the Universities of California.
https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/us/politics/napolitano-stepping-down.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
4) This state’s legislature passed a bill last week that would outlaw abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and that would effectively shut down all but six of the state’s abortion clinics. What state?
d) Texas
States may not entirely outlaw abortion because of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade, but states may put in place various restrictions that make abortions more difficult to get. The Republican-controlled Texas legislature tried to pass the bill a few weeks ago but was thwarted by a ten hour Democratic filibuster.
5) What country recently amended its laws to permit abortions when a woman’s health is in danger?
d) Ireland
Prior to passage of the bill, Ireland, an overwhelming Catholic country, did not permit abortions under any circumstances. https://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/12/19430914-ireland-set-to-allow-abortion-for-first-time-under-historic-new-law?lite
6) What well-known governor announced that he will not run for re-election?
c) Rick Perry of Texas
Perry has been the governor of Texas since December 2000. Many believe that he is planning to run for president again in 2016, just as he did in 2012.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/08/rick-perry-texas-governor-president/2497773/
7) The world’s largest building just opened in what country?
a) China
The building, offering office space, shopping, and entertainment, is approximately the size of the country of Monaco.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/new-century-global-center_n_3573748.html?utm_hp_ref=travel
8) Earlier this year, the White House projected a $973 billion deficit for 2013. Last week, it revised its projection. What is the new projection?
b) $759 billion
The federal deficit is the amount by which federal spending exceeds federal revenue (income) in a given year. The reduction is thought to be the result of recent tax hikes and spending cuts. On the other hand, the White House also revised its projection of 2013 U.S. economic growth from 2.3% to 2.0%. The prediction of a slower rate of growth is also thought to be the result of the tax hikes and spending cuts, as most economists agree that tax hikes and spending cuts reduce deficits but also slow economic growth, at least in the short term.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/08/us-usa-economy-obama-idUSBRE9670YD20130708
9) Actor Cory Monteith was found dead Sunday at the age of 31. Monteith was the start of what show?
c) Glee
No cause of death has been announced, though Monteith had previously struggled with drug addiction.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/14/cory-monteith-dead_n_3593360.html
10) What San Francisco Giant pitcher threw a no-hitter Saturday night?
b) Tim Lincecum
Tim “The Freak” Lincecum threw 148 pitches on the night, a record so far this season.
https://mlb.si.com/2013/07/14/freak-performance-tim-lincecum-no-hits-padres/