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Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz. Good luck!
To access a list of all our old quizzes, click here.
Month: April 2014 Page 1 of 3
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The last decade has seen Brazil’s rise as one of the economic powerhouses of the developing world and one of the leaders of moderate economic policies in Latin America. Bolstered by high commodity prices, Brazil has managed to lift thirty to forty million out of poverty and acquire more international recognition, as evident by its association with other BRICS nations (Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Brazil’s increased recognition is evident by its winning the hosting rights to this year’s World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, like other BRICS nations, Brazil is beginning to see its economy slow down as a result of falling commodity prices, poor government management, and American monetary policy. Although the nation has significant oil wealth and is still better off economically than the late twentieth century, it is still in need of dire economic and political reforms. With a presidential election approach this October it is unlikely that reforms will come in the short-term, but the next presidential administration will be tasked with preserving the nation’s economic gains and preventing social tensions from exploding.
This topic brief will break down Brazil’s economic and security struggles while providing ways that Brazil can try to fix some of these problems. It is hoped that the analysis contained in this brief can assist extempers when talking about Brazil since they are likely to get questions on the country in the near future pertaining to its ability to host international events and its upcoming presidential election.
Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.
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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on Brazil’s struggles (2014).
#Brazil has an unprecedented set of opportunities to rise. A new report by Harold Trinkunas explores this: http://t.co/vmak3QLn7s
— Brookings FP (@BrookingsFP) April 28, 2014
Some of Brazil’s World Cup visitors will stay in slums: http://t.co/nm3gLzG0nL pic.twitter.com/4Csy0JeBmm
— Businessweek (@BW) April 27, 2014
How social media gives new voice to Brazil’s protests http://t.co/S7DzFSD1lw
— Guardian World (@guardianworld) April 27, 2014
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1. What role should international organizations take to reduce the fighting in South Sudan?
2. Is Morgan Tsvangirai causing the weakening Zimbabwean opposition movement?
3. How can Russia establish a larger foothold in Latin America?
4. Have anti-Maduro protests run their course?
5. Who will win the Afghan presidential runoff?
6. How can South Korean President Park Geun-hye deflect criticism of her government’s handling of the Sewol ferry disaster?
7. Is the BRICS wall falling down?
8. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process: is the Oslo era nearing its ending?
9. Will the upcoming European elections make the UKIP a major force in British politics?
10. Is Saudi Arabia effectively responding to MERS?
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1. Has President Obama done enough to reassure America’s Asian allies?
2. Fracking: an environmental danger or the key to American energy independence?
3. Is campaign finance reform necessary to save American democracy?
4. Should mobile phone manufacturers be required to install “kill switches” on their products?
5. What’s behind Amazon’s poor profit numbers?
6. Will an upcoming push by LGBT groups for legal protections in Southern states succeed?
7. Should states be able to link a work requirement to Medicaid benefits?
8. What would be the best way to cut the U.S. defense budget?
9. Would a summer push for immigration reform by Republican leaders erode the GOP’s chances of winning the midterm elections?
10. What should the NBA do with Donald Sterling?
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The Minnesota High School League State Speech Tournament usually attracts attention due to the state’s success over the last decade at the CFL and NSDA national tournaments. The tournament divides its schools into two classes: Class A and Class AA. This year saw Sydney Erhardt of Cannon Falls High School repeat as the Class A state champion and she won the final round by three ranks over Shane Price of Mankato Loyola Catholic School. Nicole Riegert of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School took third place.
In Class AA, two prominent competitors at last year’s NSDA National Tournament faced off in the final round. Dylan Adelman of Lakeville South High School, a semi-finalist in last year’s NSDA International Extemp category, defeated last year’s U.S. Extemp finalist Adam Stromme of Eagan High School by two ranks. Adelman’s win is the first by an extemper from Lakeville South since Dylan Slinger won consecutive state championships in 2010 and 2011. Andrew Urevig of Robbinsdale Armstrong High School finished third and Haley Brahmbhatt of Chanhassen High School, who won the Chanhassen High School Tournament (a TOC qualifier held a few months ago), finished fifth.
The finals of both classes were dominated by seniors as evidenced by only four underclassmen extempers earning bids to next year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. They are indicated in italics below.
Here are the results of the 2014 Minnesota High School League State Tournament (Click here for tab sheets):
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North Dakota classes its state speech competitions and the North Dakota High School Activities Association Class A State Speech Tournament took place at Jamestown High School on April 12. Thomas Startz continued Fargo Shanley High School’s dominance in extemporaneous speaking, winning the state championship over William Fleck of Mandan High School. Since 2009, Fargo Shanley has won the state extemporaneous speaking title. Kelsey Becker of Jamestown High School took third place.
Four underclassmen made the final round of the state tournament and have earned their qualifications to the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions at Northwestern University. They are indicated in italics in the results listing.
Here are the results of the 2014 North Dakota High School Activities Association Class A State Speech Tournament:
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Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete! Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.
This R&D provides resources on the regulation of e-cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigarettes, are battery powered devices that simulate smoking, but give off vapor instead of cigarette smoke. Users get the same nicotine high from using an e-cigarette that they would from smoking a regular cigarette. Proponents argue that they are less harmful than cigarettes and help people quit smoking, but opponents say that they need to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are a vehicle for making smoking behaviors look appealing to non-smokers (especially minors). The FDA has recently proposed several rules for e-cigarettes, including age and sales restrictions.
#women FDA’s Proposed Rules For E-Cigarettes Are Good ‘First Step,’ But More Regulation Needed,… http://t.co/xX345WojWR #RealTonyRocha
— TWTraderCom (@TWTraderCom) April 24, 2014
The FDA makes another attempt to regulate electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products: http://t.co/HvMiKLlxLX via @EarlyStart
— CNN (@CNN) April 24, 2014
Quit that too. Selling a Poison by the Barrel: Liquid Nicotine for E-Cigarettes http://t.co/CZf5zZVUIs
— Ricky Y. Choi MD MPH (@rychoiMD) March 30, 2014
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Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete! Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.
This week’s R&D breaks down the future of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Established in 1949 in the early stages of the Cold War, NATO was part of the U.S. containment strategy against the Soviet Union and was meant to deter Soviet aggression toward Western Europe. With the Cold War now over, NATO has struggled to define a new mission for itself. However, recent actions by Russia in the Ukraine may give NATO a renewed sense of purpose in the twenty-first century.
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Oklahoma divides its state tournament competition into four groups (3A-6A) and then separates those groups into International and United States Extemporaneous Speaking categories. In 6A, Booker T. Washington High School had a great run as Arel Rende, this year’s Harvard winner and last year’s NFL national champion in U.S. Extemp, won his third straight state championship in U.S. Extemp. Rende’s teammate Patrick Wilson won International Extemp. In 5A, Josh Yoo of Metro Christian Academy won International Extemp and Peter Simmons of Bishop Kelley High School won United States Extemp. Muldrow High School swept the 4A categories as Taylor Putnam won International Extemp and Jessie Hearn won United States Extemp. And in 3A, Eli Hobbs of Haskell High School won International Extemp for the second straight year and Tom Crews of Okarche High School won United States Extemp.
All of the underclassmen that made the final round in their respective extemp category earned an automatic qualification to the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Nineteen extempers qualified to next year’s TOC through this avenue and they are indicated in italics below.
Here are the results of the 2014 Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association State Tournament:
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Iona Preparatory School continued its hold on the New York state extemporaneous speaking championship as Graham Piro won this year’s New York State Forensic League Championship Tournament two weeks ago. The tournament, held at Delaware Academy in Delhi, New York, saw Piro win his first state championship, the second in as many years for Iona Preparatory, by one rank over Christopher Lee of Regis High School. Piro entered the final round two ranks behind, but won the final round by three ranks to win the cumulative tournament. Lee’s teammate, Michael Faucher, finished third as Regis placed more extempers in the final round than any other school.
Three underclassmen extempers earned qualifications to next year’s Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University based on their placing in the final round.
Here are the results of the 2014 New York State Forensic League Championship Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):
by Logan Scisco
In just a month’s time, the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) will host its national tournament and that will be followed a few weeks later by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA – formerly National Forensic Association – NFL) National Tournament. For many extempers, there is a lag time of a month or more between when their local circuit ceases competition and attending nationals. This is a time when skills can erode if an extemper is not practicing or keeping up with national and international events. Even extempers that are still competing on their local circuits into April risk burnout if not given enough time to mentally decompress and prepare for the challenge of competing against extempers from all parts of the United States at these national tournaments.
This strategy piece will discuss ways that extempers can adequately prepare for each national tournament. I highly recommend extempers that have qualified to either competition to search Extemp Central for strategy pieces that have been written by past national champions and competitors as they will supplement the tips contained here. The Internet is a great tool for acquiring a lot of advice on extemporaneous speaking and extempers should use it to their advantage as they prepare for Chicago and Overland Park this year.
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Here is this week’s Extemp Central news quiz. Good luck!
To access a list of all our old quizzes, click here.
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The Massachusetts Speech and Debate League hosted its State Championship Speech and Congress Tournament on April 5th at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Acton, Massachusetts. The tournament featured an upset as Marshall Sloane of Milton Academy, a freshman, defeated George Mason University Patriot Games winner Jasper Primack of Newton South High School. In the cumulative tournament, Sloane defeated Primack by two ranks, but Primack won the final round. Sloane becomes the first Massachusetts state extemp champion for Milton Academy since 2008. Since both competitors are underclassmen, it is very likely that Sloane and Primack will be battling again at next year’s tournament. Newton South had three extempers in the final round, which was more than any other school. Primack’s temmate, Jason Ma, finished in third place.
The underclassmen who made the final round of the Massachusetts state tournament earned bids to the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC). This applied to the top four finishers of the tournament and they are indicated in italics in the results listing.
Here are the results of the 2014 Massachusetts Speech and Debate League State Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):
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Two weeks ago, the Idaho High School Activities Association State Speech Tournament was held and Josh Mansfield of Highland High School emerged as the 2014 state extemporaneous speaking champion. Mansfield triumphed in the final round by four ranks over Blake Dewveall of Blackfoot High School. Mansfield’s title is the first for Highland High School since 2011 and the school had more extempers in the final round that any other program in attendance. Mansfield’s teammate, Anurag Tripathy, took fourth. Abby Poelstra of Lake City High School placed third.
Since Idaho held its state tournament after the 2014 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) deadline, all of the underclassmen who made the final round are the first qualifiers to next season’s TOC. Three extempers fit this definition, including Mansfield, and they are indicated in italics in the results listing.
Here are the results of the 2014 Idaho High School Activities Association State Speech Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):