Legislative Branch
Name the largest chamber of the U.S. Congress. How many members does this chamber have?
Bonus: How is that number determined?
House of Representatives. 435.
Bonus: the Census
Which US currency has been officially discontinued because its value is lower than its production cost?
The penny
On what date is the winter solstice every year?
Bonus +200: If you went outside at exactly noon on the winter solstice and looked at your shadow, how would it compare to your shadow on any other day of the year?
December 21
Bonus: It would be your longest shadow of the year. Because the sun is at its lowest point in the sky at noon, it casts the longest possible shadow.
Which of the world's five oceans is the largest and deepest, covering more of the Earth's surface than all the landmasses combined?
Bonus: Name the largest country on earth
Pacific Ocean. It is home to the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth.
Bonus: Russia
This term refers to a "slant" or a strong prejudice for or against one side in a news story, which media-literate students should look for.
Bias
What is it called when you continue talking on the Senate floor in order to delay (or garner support) a bill?
Bonus: Who holds the record for the longest of the above?
The filibuster
Bonus: Strom Thurmond or Cory Booker
Which music genre officially became the most-listened-to "global sound" among students in 2025, with four hits reaching the Billboard Top 10 simultaneously?
***Daily Double***
K-Pop
In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what was Mr. Scrooge’s first name?
Ebenezer Scrooge
Name an enclave country (completely surrounded by a single other country).
***Daily Double***
Lesotho, San Marin, or Vatican City
While the Federal government handles the military, this level of government is usually responsible for running your local public schools and issuing driver's licenses.
Bonus: What is the term when we are talking about 'levels' of government? (hint: not 'branches')
State government
Bonus: Federalism
Name 4 things that influence the legislative process (lesson 403).
Voters, Media, International Events, Money and Interest Groups
In December 2025, TIME Magazine revealed its "Person of the Year." Instead of picking just one individual, they chose a group of people responsible for the biggest tech shift of the decade. Who were they?
The Architects of AI. Time chose the designers and engineers behind AI because 2025 was the year the technology became a daily part of mainstream life.
What traditional Christmas decoration is actually a parasitic plant?
Mistletoe
Name the continent that sits on all four hemispheres
Bonus:Name the largest desert in the world?
Africa
Bonus: Antarctica. The entire continent is a desert because it receives very little snow/rain. The Sahara is only the largest hot desert.
What amendment gave women the right to vote?
Bonus: What amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
19th
Bonus: 26th
Name Virginia's two Senators.
Bonus: Name the House Representive for McLean or Great Falls
Tim Kaine and Mark Warner
Bonus: Don Beyer or James Walkinshaw
What famous museum made headlines twice in late 2025. First, for a heating system leak that damaged the building, and second, for a massive jewelry heist where over $100 million in gems were stolen?
Bonus: Who is the president of the country where this museum is located?
The Louvre museum in Paris, France.
Bonus: Emmanuel Macron
How many candles total are on a Hannukah menorah?
Bonus: If you win the traditional Hannukah game Dreidel, what do you win?
9 Total: 8 for each night of Hannukah, and 1 Shamash
Bonus: the winner takes the "Gelt" (the Yiddish word for money). Also accepted is 'money' or 'chocolate coins'.
There are only two flags in the world that are perfectly square. Name one of the countries.
Bonus: [will give extra time] One of these countries has very strict animal welfare laws. For which 'traditional pet' animal is it illegal to own just one, because they are considered "social animals" that get lonely?
Switzerland or the Vatican.
Bonus: Guinea Pigs. Since 2008, Swiss law mandates that these social creatures must live in pairs. If one dies, there are even services that allow you to "rent" a companion so you aren't breaking the law!
What is the name of the independant, bipartisan agency that regulates campaign finance (incl. PACS and SuperPACS)?
Bonus: What Supreme Court case established SuperPACS?
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Bonus: Citizens United v. FEC
What is the name for the permanent committees that focus on bills that deal with assigned topics (such as the military, energy, education, etc.)?
Standing Committees
Scientists in 2025 announced they are successfully using AI to do what with animals (specifically whales and honeybees)?
"Talk" to them (decoding their communication/languages).
Which two of Santa's reindeer are named after the German words for 'thunder' and 'lightening'?
Donner and Blitzen ('donner' and 'blitz' in German)
Most countries have one seat of government. However, South Africa is famous for dividing its power across three different official capitals: Bloemfontein (Judicial), Cape Town (Legislative), and which city hosts the Executive branch of government?
Pretoria, South Africa. This system was designed to share power across the various regions of the country.
Name of the founding document that, written in 1606 by the King, granting the Company permission to colonize. It promised colonists the same rights as British citizens.
Charters of the Virginia Company of London