National Academic League

1. Calculate the GPA of a student who made a "C" in Trigonometry, a "B" in American History, an "A" in Botany, and a "B" in Microbiology if some courses contribute more towards an overall GPA than other courses. For example, a science class is worth 4 points; mathematics is worth 3 points; History is worth 2 points; and English is worth 3 points. The values of the grade letters are as follows, A= 4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.

Answer:  3.08

2. Identify  the country where you would  find an ancient Easter tradition called "Smingus-Dyngus" -- a custom of people pouring or splashing water on each other

Answer: Poland

3.  Identify the title of  the Shakespearean play that has the line  "A horse! A horse ! My kingdom for a horse."

Answer:  King Richard the Third

4.  Name the planet has a diameter of 4,200 miles and orbits our sun every 687 days.

Answer: Mars

5.  Explain the name "Pesach" and then describe this important Jewish Holiday.

Answer: The name "Pesach" (PAY-sahch, with a "ch" as in the Scottish "loch") comes from the Hebrew root Pei-Samekh-Cheit , meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that God "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English, the holiday is known as Passover. "Pesach" is also the name of the sacrificial offering (a lamb) that was made in the Temple on this holiday. The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-Aviv , (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzot , (the Festival of Matzahs), and Z'man Cheiruteinu , (the Time of Our Freedom) (again, all with those Scottish "ch"s).