1) President Obama made a major announcement about Syria last week. What was it?
a) He is sending 50 American special forces troops to fight there
These special operations troops will be the first American “boots on the ground” in Syria. The United States has previously conducted airstrikes against ISIS there.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/30/syria-us-deployment-troops-obama-special-operations
2) In the aftermath of last week’s Republican presidential debate, the Republican National Committee has decided to pull its candidates out of a scheduled February debate that was to be televised on what network?
c) NBC
The Republican candidates are not happy with the way that the CNBC moderators ran last week’s debate.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rnc-suspends-ties-with-nbc-news-for-gop-debate-in-february/
3) Who was recently chosen to be the new Speaker of the House?
b) Paul Ryan
After weeks of negotiations, Ryan was chosen to succeed retiring Speaker John Boehner.
4) The Congress recently passed (and President Obama recently signed) a budget deal. The agreement sets a federal budget for what length of time?
c) 2 years
The deal - negotiated by President Obama, outgoing Speaker John Boehner, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell - received unanimous support from Congressional Democrats. Moderate Republicans also voted for the bill, while most “Tea Party” Republicans voted against it.
5) According to a recent survey of Republican voters, what Republican candidate do they believe is most electable?
a) Donald Trump
Seventy-seven percent of Republicans surveyed preferred an “outsider” candidate to one with Washington experience.
6) What country recently ended its “One Child Policy?”
a) China
The policy of limiting families to one child had been in place since the 1970s. Chinese families are now permitted to have two children.
7) A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit what two countries last week?
a) Afghanistan and Pakistan
It has been estimated that over 300 people died as a result of the earthquake.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/10/26/earthquake-strikes-pakistan/74611896/
8) What retailer recently asked the federal government for permission to use delivery drones?
c) Walmart
The drones would be used for home delivery, curbside delivery, and for monitoring warehouse inventory.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/27/us-wal-mart-stores-drones-exclusive-idUSKCN0SK2IQ20151027
9) What university recently voted to remove the state flag from its campus because the flag contained the Confederate battle flag within it?
d) University of Mississippi
The Student Senate voted to remove the flag 33-15.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/26/us/ole-miss-confederate-state-flag-removed-campus/
10) What country won the Rugby World Cup?
c) New Zealand
It was New Zealand’s second victory in a row.