Much Excite, Much Ignite
Entertaining Ourselves Back to Life
Speeches that Inspire, Speeches that Spit Fire
Things Really Do Catch Fire
If At First You Fall, Try, Try Again
100
What is biodiesel made out of?
vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil/greases
100
Prince Caspian is a character from which novel?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
100
"Intervision" was a singing competition formed during the Cold War by the Eastern Bloc, which was revived numerous times (including in 2025!). There is a general anti-West sentiment in the show, but which (ironically, Western) show was it inspired by?
Eurovision
100
Define "flash point". What does it mean if something has a low "flash point"?
the lowest temperature where a liquid element will produce flammable gasses (not sustain a fire); the lower the flash point, the more flammable the substance - anything below 38C is considered flammable
100
Define "core", "periphery", and "semi-periphery" countries.
Core countries: higher-skill capital-based economies
Periphery countries: lower-skill and rely on labor economies
Semi-periphery: mixture of both, or dependent on relationship with other countries
200
Which engine was the first to compress the fuel before the combustion, making it the most efficient of its time?
Otto engine
200
Who was the Austrian biologist who discovered dominant vs. recessive traits?
Gregor Mendel
200
What does the Australian PM Robert Menzies mean when he refers to the "Forgotten People" in his speech of the same name?
The middle class, who he was trying to win over
200
What is the difference between a common match and a safety match?
Safety matches only ignite on specific materials because its ingredients are separated, common "strike anywhere" matches can ignite with enough friction from anywhere because its ingredients are combined
200
Although Japan has a history of violence and war crimes, its current rebranding in the West as a fun tourist destination where everyone "lives in 2050" is an example of what?
Soft power
300
What are the three layers of the sun?
the core, the radiative zone, and the convective zone
300
Who is the artist of this painting, and what where they famous for?
Sun Mu, North Korean propaganda artist who eventually fled to South Korea
300
What were "fireside chats" and who was famous for them?
FDR (US president during Great Depression/WW2), casual radio chats that gave people insight on current affairs, effectively restored faith + gov confidence
300
Why is it so challenging to regulate illegal fireworks in Hawaii?
Everyone knows everybody, so calling each other out can create animosity
300
Why was the Meiji Restoration a crucial event in Japanese history?
Transitioned Japan from a feudal, isolated state into an industrialized nation state that made it a global power on the world stage. Introduced a constitution, restoration of the imperial system under a central government, mandatory education - "rich country, strong army"
400
State the three classifications of volcanoes based on their activity, and explain each classification.
Active: has current activity
Dormant: has no activity
Extinct: has not erupted in 10,000 years OR is no longer tectonically active
400
In EPIC: The Musical, what is the "plot" of the song "Wouldn't You Like"?
Hermes singing to Odysseus warning him about Circe and giving him "holy moly" to help him defeat her
400
In the romcom "Love Actually", what is the speech "We're a great one, too" about?
Given by UK PM David, David pledges that the UK will stand up against the US on behalf of its European allies, says they will no longer let US push unfair trade agreements, and that the UK is "a great [country], too"
400
What's the title of this painting and the lore behind it?
The Moon in Smoke by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, depicts two firemen holding the Matoi flag (3D flag indicating location of firefighters) - the firemen are from rival associations competing against each other to put out fires
400
What is this place called, where is it located, what is it for, and how many times has it been destroyed?
Yellow Crane Tower: Chinese tower in Wuhan / a sacred site for Taoism, Buddhism, and traditional Chinese folktales; destroyed 12 times during wars + fires. Considered a symbol of Wuhan
500
What was unique about the 335 Years War?
"Alleged" war between Netherlands and Isles of Scilly, a "bloodless" war without a single shot being fired. Peace declared in 1986
Continuation of conflict between English Civil War
500
List at least three tangible examples in which AI is being used in acting/film according to Heather Tal Murphy's article.
Dubbing in different languages, talking heads/virtual instructors, body doubling, athlete appearances
500
Besides asking for support from the UK Government, what does Ukrainian president Zelensky SPECIFICALLY discuss in his speech to parliament?
Describes 13 days of conflict day by day as a way to request assistance and sanctions
500
List at least three of the music pieces included in this section of the curriculum. Hint: their titles all have to do with fireworks!
Possible answers: George Handel - Music for the Royal Firework, Igor Stravinsky - Feu d’artifice, Claude Debussy - Feux d’artifice, Oliver Knussen - Flourish with Fireworks, op. 22, halyosy - Fire◎Flower, Katy Perry - Firework
500
What are the pros and cons of shortwave radio?
Shortwave radio - radio transmission once popular, used in Cold War + still used today (kinda) in Russia-Ukraine.
Pros: hard to intercept, low cost, and long-range
Cons: declining popularity means limited audience/usage outside of military contexts, limited audio quality, radio interference in high urban areas