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NATIONAL ACADEMIC LEAGUE The National Academic League (NAL) is a popular sport in Junior High Schools (middle schools) around the United States . In participating schools, two coaches and approximately eighteen students compete with other schools in the same District . Students study Math , Science , Geography , World History , and English . In the game, students prepare presentations and/or answer questions from any of the above listed categories. If a championship is won, it is possible to compete all the way to a national level. RULES AND WORKINGS OF THE GAME There are two groups within each NAL team. The first is the Buzzer team, who compete by answering questions to score points against the opposing team. The second is the Presentation team, who prepares a presentation on a specific question given to them in the game. Depending on how much information is in their presentation and how well it is communicated, the presentation team can score up to twenty-five points. There are also four quarters in a game. Each quarter is different from all the others in some way which will be explained below. The buzzer team competes in the first, second, and fourth quarters. The presentation team competes in the third quarter. Tip Off Question The game begins with a tip off question. The captains of each team are asked a question, and the first captain to answer correctly wins the tip off. They now have the choice of going first or second in first quarter, or first or second in third quarter. Captains almost always choose to go first in first quarter because it gives the team a decisive advantage. First Quarter The Buzzer team competes in first quarter. First quarter lasts for exactly twelve minutes with fifteen seconds (maximum) for each question. Five members sit in the front row and five in reserve. The first question goes to seat one, the captain. If he answers correctly, two points are added to the team's score. The second question will go to seat two. If he also answers correctly, two more points are added to the score and the question goes to seat three. If he also answers correctly, two more points are added, ''but the team does not get another question.'' After three correct answers, the questions go to the opposing team. If one of the questions are answered incorrectly, the other team is given a chance to steal. If they answer correctly, the series of questions goes to the other team and one point is added for a steal. They then have a chance to score up to six points. If any team member answers wrongly, they are given a foul. After two fouls, the first reserve player in line takes the fouled-out player's seat, and the fouled-out player moves to the back of the reserve line. Second Quarter In second quarter, five members of the Buzzer team work as a team to answer lengthy questions. There is a back row of five reserve players, but this reserve is rarely used. This quarter lasts exactly twelve minutes with one minute (maximum) for each question. The questions are printed on a card, which is carried to the team by a player of the opposite team. Each correct answer is worth three points. Third Quarter In third quarter, the Presentation team gives a presentation on the question they were given after the tip off question. They work on the presentation for thirty minutes, or until the end of second quarter. The two judges over the match judge the presentation on basis of eye contact, memorization, information, etc. The team must take at least three minutes, but no longer than five in their presentation. The scores (out of a possible 25) are averaged out and added to the team's score. Fourth Quarter The Buzzer team participates in fourth quarter. Five players sit at the buzzers with an additional five in reserve. The first question is given to seat one, then seat two, three, and so forth. When a question is given to seat one, for example, no one but seat one may answer. The student must wait until the judge calls on them. If a student answers correctly, they are awarded two points. If the answer is wrong, however, one point is deducted from the score and a foul is given to the player. If a student does not know the answer, they may pass. This means they receive a foul, but no point deduction. If both students pass, answer wrongly, or time runs out and the right answer has still not been given, the judges may declare "Free for all". The student must wait until the judge finishes saying "Free for all." Anyone on either team at this point may buzz in and answer. End of the Game At the end of the game, the judges confer, and if they agree, the team with the highest cumulative score wins. SAMPLE TOPICS Students in NAL study a broad range of topics in preperation, including Math , Science , Geography , World History , and English . These are the main topics that are studied in each category: Math: GCF , LCM , Probability , Roman Numerals , area, and Perimeter . English: Parts of speech, Pronouns , poetry terms, gerunds, participles, Infinitives , authors, and greek roots. Geography: US States And State Capitals, Postal Abbreviations, Nicknames , world rivers, world capitals, and currency. World History: Explorers , Inventors , branches of US government, requirements for US office, wars, US Bill Of Rights , and amendments. Science: Elements , Biology , and compounds. SAMPLE FIRST AND FOURTH QUARTER QUESTIONS Listed below are sample questions asked in an NAL match: Math- What is -81 divided by -9? (9) If a factory produces 7000 bottles a day and 1.8% are defective, how many good bottles are produced? English- Correct the following sentence: My Dad and I went fishing. (Change Dad to dad) What are the demonstrative Pronouns ? (This,that,these,those) Geography- What is the capital of Turkey ? (Ankara) Give the postal abbreviations for the following states: Vermont and Utah . (VT and UT) World History- What did the Albany Plan of Union do? (Set up an army for the US, provided councils for each colony to deal with purchasing lands) What king of England executed 2 of his 6 wives? (Henry VIII) Science- What type of rock is formed below ground by cooling Magma ? (Intrusive igneous) What is the abbreviation for potassium? (K) SAMPLE SECOND QUARTER QUESTIONS Place the following animals in the catogories of Carnivore , Omnivore , or Herbivore : Fruit bats, white-tailed deer, bears, humans, and frogs. Give the number of vertexes, faces, and edges for the following shapes: Pyramid, rectangular prism, cone, cube, and cylinder. WEBSITES TO VISIT http://www.nalnet.org |
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