Month: December 2014 Page 2 of 4

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of December 22nd-28th, 2014

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On December 22, 2014

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Does Kenya’ new anti-terror bill go too far?
2. Will the Peshawar school massacre lead to a more robust Pakistani response to Taliban militancy?
3. Is Pope Francis an early frontrunner for the next Nobel Peace Prize?
4. Will Ukraine’s economic blockade of Donetsk and Luhansk produce an end to the Ukrainian civil war?
5. How can China prevent Hong Kong-style protests in its other semiautonomous areas?
6. Is Modi doing enough to rein in Hindu radicals?
7. Would a UN vote on the West Bank strengthen Israeli hardliners?
8. Was North Korea responsible for the hacking of Sony Pictures?
9. Are weak commodities markets eroding the power of the BRICS?
10. Would the elimination of the U.S. embargo strengthen the Castro regime?

R&D from Prepd: Weekly Roundup for the Week of December 15th-21st, 2014

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On December 19, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’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.

Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of December 15th-21st, 2014.

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2014 Isidore Newman School Invitational: Bock Gives Nova Two TOC Champions; England Takes Second

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On December 18, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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At the Isidore Newman School Invitational, the second ExtemporaneouS Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournament held last week, Nova Senior High School (FL) became the second team to have two different winners at TOC qualifying tournaments this season when Eleanor Bock secured a four rank win over Kelsey England of Northland Christian School (TX). Bradley Wascher of Saint James School (AL) took third place.

The final round of the tournament was largely a showdown between Nova Senior and Saint James, as Nova had three finalists and Saint James had two.

All of the finalists at Isidore Newman received a qualifying leg for the Extemp TOC at Northwestern University. No extemper secured their at-large qualification since Bock was already previously qualified to the TOC and none of the other finalists obtained a qualifying leg prior to the tournament. The extempers receiving a qualifying leg are indicated in italics below.

The extempers in the final round also secured an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky TOC in April.

Here are the results of the 2014 Isidore Newman School Invitational (Click here for tab sheet):

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R&D from Prepd: The Collapse of the Russian Ruble

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On December 18, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’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 information on the collapse of the Russian ruble.  The Russian central bank raised interest rates earlier in the week to 17% in an attempt to stop the ruble’s slide, which has coincided with a decline in the global oil price.  The value of the ruble collapsed during Russia’s financial crisis in 1998 and President Vladimir Putin wants to avoid that happening again.

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2014 Dowling Catholic Paradigm: Thompson Defeats Kale; Five Finalize TOC Qualifications

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On December 17, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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After a series of Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifiers took place last week on university campuses, qualifying tournaments returned to high school hosting sites last week and Dowling Catholic High School was one of them. At the school’s Dowling Catholic Paradigm tournament, Jacob Thompson of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (IA) took the title by three ranks over Alekh Kale of James Madison Memorial High School (WI). Kale won two first place ranks in the final round, but an errant seven cost him the championship. Thompson’s teammate Daniel Drane took third.

The tournament was helpful for those extempers seeking a qualification to this year’s Extemp TOC at Northwestern University as five of the seven finalists completed their at-large applications. In addition to Thompson, Kale, and Drane, Ben Anderson of Liberty Senior High School (MO) and Olivia Shoemaker of Lakeville North High School (MN) earned their second at-large qualifying leg. Two other finalists earned their first TOC qualifying leg of the season. All of those earning TOC qualifying legs are indicated in italics in the results listing.

Here are the results of the 2014 Dowling Catholic Paradigm (Click here for tab sheet):

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Extemp Central News Quiz for the Week of December 15th-21st, 2014

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On December 17, 2014

In Quiz

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quiz-01Here 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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R&D from Prepd: Jeb Bush

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On December 17, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’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 Jeb Bush’s presidential aspirations.  Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother to President George W. Bush, is looking into a possible presidential bid in 2016.  He served as Florida’s governor from 1999 to 2007 and is considered a moderate conservative, favoring immigration reform and having a nuanced position on the death penalty.  A few days ago Bush announced that he would soon release more than 250,000 e-mails from his time as Florida governor and author an electronic book describing his “governing philosophy.” Pundits think this is a clear signal that he will make a bid for the presidency in two years.

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Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

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Since June, the price of oil has plunged 40% on the international market in response to economic slowdowns in Europe and Asia and a glut of supply from the Middle East and North America.  The falling price of oil, near $60 a barrel at the time of the writing of this brief, has been a boon for nations that import fossil fuels.  It also provides much needed stimulus for consumer-driven economies such as the United States as people are able to take the money they would normally spend on high gas prices and direct it to other economic activities.  However, the falling oil price has worked against some economies that rely largely on the proceeds from oil exports.  Countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Nigeria, among others, are now left wondering how they will react to the sudden fall of global oil prices and the decisions that they make could determine whether their current governments survive.

This topic brief will cover the reasons for the collapse of global oil prices, how the falling price will affect the United States economy, and how prominent oil exporters will be affected.

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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R&D: Collapsing Oil Prices (2014)

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On December 16, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on collapsing oil prices (2014).

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HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of December 15th-21st, 2014

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On December 15, 2014

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Will U.S. sanctions force the Maduro to change course?
2. After 13 years, did NATO accomplish its mission in Afghanistan?
3. Should Venezuela expand its oil diplomacy initiative?
4. What role should the UN play in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian dispute?
5. Should Michel Martelly resign?
6. What does a feminist foreign policy look like?
7. Was the Lima climate summit a failure?
8. Should the British government open a torture probe?
9. How should the Japanese snap election result be interpreted?
10. Will low oil prices constrain Russia’s foreign policy?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of December 15th-21st, 2014

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On December 15, 2014

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. How will low gas prices affect the U.S. economy?
2. Will Jeb Bush seek the presidency?
3. Should the U.S. provide lethal military aid to Ukraine?
4. Does the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on interrogation techniques strengthen American foreign policy?
5. Should New York City eliminate its horse-carriage industry?
6. Are marijuana laws racially discriminatory?
7. Should President Obama take executive action to lift the embargo on Cuba?
8. Is the new budget bill a defeat for conservatives?
9. Are protests against police brutality making an impact?
10. Should the U.S. government investigate high airline ticket prices?

2014 George Mason University Patriot Games: Wartel Outduels Graham to Win His First National Points Race Event of the Season; Also Wins Round Robin

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On December 12, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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gmuThe last National Points Race tournament of the first semester took place last weekend at the George Mason University Patriot Games, held on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Josh Wartel of Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA) won his first National Points Race event of the season, defeating arguably the most competitive field at a national circuit tournament this season. In a final round that featured five competitors in the top fifteen of the National Points Race and the winners of four Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) qualifying tournaments, Wartel defeated Justin Graham of Trinity Preparatory School (FL) by judges’ preference after both competitors earned a cumulative total of nine ranks from the five finals judges. Wartel took three of the first place ranks in the final round, whereas Graham took the other two. The final round was largely a duel between Wartel and Graham, as their combined cumulative total was double that of the third place finisher, Brian Anderson of LaRue County High School (KY) who took second at last year’s Patriot Games.

Wartel was also the winner of the tournament’s round robin competition, becoming the second extemper in the last three years to win both the general tournament and the round robin event. In that competition, Wartel defeated Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler of Durham Academy (NC). Graham took third.

The victory at GMU is Wartel’s second national circuit win in as many weeks, as he won Villiger the week prior to competing in Fairfax.

All of the competitors who reached elimination rounds earned points toward this year’s National Points Race. National Points Race leader Jack Glaser of George Washington High School (CO) qualified for elimination rounds, but was knocked out in quarter-finals. Sapiro-Gheiler and Yijia Liang of Upper Arlington High School (OH), who took fourth, made their fourth National Points Race final of the year, which is more than any other competitor.

The Extemp TOC at Northwestern University awards qualification legs to all extempers who made the quarter-final round and beyond at GMU. Ten extempers – Thomas Abel of the Delbarton School (NJ), Varun Bhatia of Trinity Preparatory School (FL), Robby Cummins of Good Counsel High School (MD), Glaser, Clare Halsey and Sejal Waghray of Ridge High School (NJ), Jad Hamdan of Jackson High School (OH), Alexander Hirsch of Stuyvesant High School (NY), Abhishek Kodumugalla of Durham Academy (NC), and Bill Peebles of Cary Academy (NC) – completed their TOC qualification by earning a second leg. Twenty other extempers earned their first qualifying leg at GMU. All of those earning a TOC qualifying leg are indicated in italics in the results listing.

All of the finalists earned an automatic qualification to the University of Kentucky TOC in April, but all of them were previously qualified.

Here are the results from the 2014 George Mason University Patriot Games (Click here for tab sheet):

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R&D from Prepd: Weekly Roundup for the Week of December 8th-14th, 2014

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On December 12, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’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.

Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of December 1st-7th, 2014.

Good luck to those competing at Isidore Newman and Dowling Catholic this weekend!

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2014 University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic: Venkatraj Wins IX; Larkin Wins USX

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On December 11, 2014

In National Circuit Results

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More than one hundred United States extempers and ninety International extempers competed last weekend at the University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic. The tournament allows extempers to participate in both extemp categories and it typically provides a venue for those seeking to bolster their resumes for the Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin.

In the International Extemp portion of the tournament, Karna Venkatraj of A&M Consolidated High School (TX) defeated Davis Larkin of the Parish Episcopal School (TX), who took second at the Glenbrooks, by seven ranks. Venkatraj took two of the available first place ranks in the final round. Hina Uddin of Foster High School (TX) took third place.

In United States Extemp, Larkin beat Rachel Evans of Salado High School (TX) by one rank. Larkin was the only extemper at the tournament to made the final round in each category. Jordan Rojas of Hendrickson High School (TX) finished third. Venkatraj’s hopes of winning both categories ended when he was eliminated in the semi-final round.

Aside from Larkin, the only other prominent National Points Race competitor in the field was Phoebe Lin of Plano West Senior High School (TX). Lin made the semi-finals of IX and did not clear into the outrounds of the USX portion of the tournament.

All of the extempers reaching the semi-final round earned a qualification leg for the 2015 Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Eleven extempers locked up their qualifications for this year’s tournament, and four of them did so at the tournament based on their performance in both categories. These extempers included Nicholas Curtis of Westwood High School (TX), Evans, Zach Falkenbury of Hendrickson, Emily Hua and Hasan Syed of Plano West, Ayesha Karnik of Flower Mound High School (TX), Michael Lupher of L.C. Anderson High School (TX), Smriti Ahuja, Simbai Mutandrio and Shreetika Singh of Seven Lakes High School (TX), and Venkatraj. Twenty-four competitors earned their first qualifying leg. All of those receiving TOC qualifying legs are indicated in italics below.

Here are the results of the 2014 University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Classic (Click here for tab sheet):

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2015 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin Field

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On December 11, 2014

In MBA Coverage, National Circuit News

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mbaMontgomery Bell Academy (MBA) Extemp Round Robin tournament director Adam Johnson has just released the 2015 Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin field.  The tournament will take place from January 2-4 in Nashville, Tennessee.  Congratulations to those extempers invited to participate in one of the circuit’s premier tournaments.

*Brian Anderson (LaRue County High School, Kentucky)
*Vaikunth Balaji (Ridge High School, New Jersey)
*Micah Cash (Booker T. Washington High School, Oklahoma)
*Rohan Dhoopar (Bellarmine College Preparatory, California)
*Justin Graham (Trinity Preparatory School, Florida)
*Jad Hamdan (Jackson High School, Ohio)
*Davis Larkin (The Parish Episcopal School, Texas)
*Yijia Liang (Upper Arlington High School, Ohio)
*Phoebe Lin (Plano West Senior High School, Texas)
*Vishal Narayanaswamy (James Madison Memorial High School, Wisconsin)
*Nathaniel Saffran (Trinity Preparatory School, Florida)
*Eitan Sapiro-Gheiler (Durham Academy, North Carolina)
*Marshall Sloane (Milton Academy, Massachusetts)
*Josh Wartel (Lake Braddock Secondary School, Virginia)
*Marshall Webb (Saint Mary’s Hall, Texas)
*Noah Wexler (Nova Senior High School, Florida)

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