Few items qualify as being newsworthy during slow July

July, as usual, was a slow news month. It was a strain to find 10 newsworthy subjects for the July News Quiz.

Not qualifying were crop circles, gas prices dipping below $4, a resurgence of the Minnesota Twins behind the M&M Boys, and some people named Fannie and Freddie making the news. The most distressing news was that a Belgium company bought Budweiser, raising the question of whether the Clydesdales will be replaced by Belgian horses.

To see what did qualify, please proceed. I especially urge teenagers to take the quiz as a warmup for when school starts in a few weeks.

1. What has Northwest Airlines done to most help its dire financial situation.

A) Cut 2,500 jobs.

B) Charge $15 to check luggage.

C) Charge as much as $100 to redeem frequent flier tickets.

D) Issue free keg beer on international flights, but charge $25 for every trip to the rest room.

2. Why did North Dakota sales jump 13 percent in the last quarter?

A) Booming oil industry.

B) Booming manufacturing industry.

C) Booming farm economy.

D) Booming sales of watermelon after word spread that it has the same properties as Viagra.

3. What was the most frequent reaction to UND's new league, the Great West Conference.

A) It's good because it will help fill the schedule.

B) It's good because it will allow players to compete for a conference title.

C) It's good because it will help recruiting.

D) It's bad because New Jersey Tech as one of the six teams, making the Great West a misnomer. The Scattered Orphans Conference would have been a more accurate name.

4. Why did the Environmental Protection Agency lower the value of an American life by $1 million, to $6.9 million?

A) It was a political decision to avoid tougher environmental rules.

B) Americans are more willing to take risks than before, lowering their value.

C) Normal adjustment for inflation was eliminated.

D) EPA correctly lowered the value of radio talk show hosts' lives to "a plugged nickel," dropping the average.

5. A federal bill has $14 million for research projects at UND. What project has the most potential?

A) Developing clean coal technology.

B) Developing uses for ethanol byproducts.

C) Developing treatment for West Nile virus.

D) Developing a plan to receive $15 million in next year's bill.

6. A new digital billboard went up on the corner of Washington Street and DeMers Avenue. What is the most popular advertisement being run on the billboard, which attracts the eye of motorists because images change every seven seconds?

A) UND athletics.

B) Banks.

C) Retail.

D) Body shops.

7. What was top goal of Robert Kelley's first day as UND President on July 1.

A) Listen.

B) Increase cooperation with North Dakota State.

C) Bolster departments that aren't the marquee programs.

D) Dislodge that frog from his throat.

8. What has customers most excited about Allegiant Air bringing air service to Las Vegas:

A) Cheaper fares.

B) Nonstop flights.

C) Comfort of jets.

D) $1 slots in first class,

25-cent slots in coach.

9. Why did quarterback Brett Favre come out of retirement?

A) He wants the money.

B) He wants the glory.

C) He wants a second Super Bowl title.

D) He wants to go into Hall of Fame wearing purple, not green.

10. The Riverside Pool is projected to lose $79,000 when it opens next year, 59 percent higher than the last year it was opened. Why such a bigger deficit?

A) With heated pool water, utilities cost more.

B) Labor costs more.

C) Chemicals cost more.

D) Sand bags cost more.

Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125.