2025 HSNCT discussion

[Important Bird Area]

This is your question-specific discussion thread for the 2025 NAQT HSNCT.

Standard disclaimers:

If you are planning to play a mirror of the 2025 HSNCT set, please do not read further posts in this thread. (We have received proposals for both Canadian and mid-Atlantic mirrors of the HSNCT set this summer.)

Please do not expect immediate responses to queries in this thread (in particular: today, Tuesday, evening I am flying back from Atlanta to the west coast).

[quizbowlchamp1]

Can I see the Banksy's name TU & the interpretations of quantum mechanics TU?

[zbennyy]

Could I see the tossup on Clairo from Round 24 please?

[David_Ropp]

Thanks for a great nats and question set. Could I see the tossups on Iraq (R30), German Requiem (R28), Sicily (I think from R26), trumpet (R18), Cello (R25), mephistopheles (R4), birth of buddha (R4), and Elisha (R29). Could I also see the bonus set on #24 from round 7 and idk if it’s possible, but could I see the replacement bonus set Wade Hampton was read at the end of R28 (the last part was copernicus)?

[Quizbowl Vítězí]

Could I see the TUs on Prague (some morning round), Iowa (don't remember), Stacy's Mom (some morning round), Slovakia (don't remember), and Zambia (some Sunday morning round)?

[lumosityfan]

Can I see the Ron Santo TU (i think that's what the answerline was anyways) and the dimensions TU?

[Auks Ran Ova]

the Ron Santo TU (i think that's what the answerline was anyways)

Ron Santo was a bonus hard part, if that's what you're thinking of.

[FartsofFury]

Can I see the "speed-running", "magritte", "E=mc^2", (Sunday morning, all from the same round), TUs, "mies" and "brazil" TUs from round 24?

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the Banksy's name TU & the interpretations of quantum mechanics TU?

This information was speculated to be revealed by a March 2024 photo of a man in a black Nike hoodie climbing over a fence. Simon Hattenstone likely learned this information during a 2003 interview in which a man said the name (*) "Robbie." Steve Lazarides claimed using traffic cones and a high-visibility jacket while working helps disguise—for 10 points—what long-sought information about the artist of "Girl With Balloon"?

answer: the true identity of Banksy (or Who is Banksy?; accept all answers indicating both Banksy and the notion of the artist's identity or name or face or clear equivalents)

John Cramer proposed a "relational" one of these approaches based on "handshakes" between waves. One of these approaches that sought to explain the "Wigner's friend" paradox was developed by Hugh Everett. Systems exist in multiple (*) states before observation according to one of these approaches named for Niels Bohr's hometown. "Many-worlds" and "Copenhagen" are examples of—for 10 points—what approaches to quantum mechanics?

answer: interpretations of quantum mechanics (or formulations of quantum mechanics; accept relational interpretation or many-worlds interpretation or relative state formulation or Everett interpretation or Copenhagen interpretation; before "quantum," accept approaches to or theories of or versions of or models of quantum mechanics)

[Important Bird Area]

Could I see the tossup on Clairo from Round 24 please?

This artist sang "you make me wanna slip off a new dress" in a 2024 song that ends with her performing the "mouth trumpet." This artist of "Juna" was controversially labelled an "industry plant" after the success of her 2017 single (*) "Pretty Girl." In a single from this artist's debut album Immunity, she tells the title woman "I think we could do it if we tried." For 10 points—name this indie singer-songwriter of "Bags" and "Sofia."

[Important Bird Area]

Thanks for a great nats and question set. Could I see the tossups on Iraq (R30), German Requiem (R28), Sicily (I think from R26), trumpet (R18), Cello (R25), mephistopheles (R4), birth of buddha (R4), and Elisha (R29). Could I also see the bonus set on #24 from round 7 and idk if it’s possible, but could I see the replacement bonus set Wade Hampton was read at the end of R28 (the last part was copernicus)?

This modern-day country is the site of the Garden of Ridván, where in 1863 a "Father of the Poor" identified himself as "he whom God shall make manifest." A religion that venerates the "peacock angel" Tawusi Melek is largely based in this country, the pre-21st-century majority home of the (*) Mandaeans. The majority of Yazidis live in—for 10 points—what country, where the Baha'u'lláh first proclaimed the Baha'i faith in Baghdad?

At this work's partial premiere, a timpanist mistook a fortepiano for a fortissimo and held a rolled D far too loud through a third-movement fugue. George Bernard Shaw quipped a "first-class undertaker" produced this work, whose sixth movement contains a C major fugue preceded by the declaration "Death, where is thy sting?" (*) Vernacular excerpts from the Luther Bible are set in—for 10 points—what work by Johannes Brahms?

Control over this island's west was established at the Battle of the Crimissus, a victory for Timoleon. An autocrat on this island ordered the Euryalus fortress built. Settlers from Corinth founded a city-state on this island later controlled by the tyrant (*) Gelon, who defeated Carthage at the Battle of Himera. Dionysius ruled the city-state of Syracuse on—for 10 points—what island off the "boot" of the Italian peninsula?

This was the main instrument of a soul jazz pioneer who was murdered by his wife Helen Moore. This instrument played on The Sidewinder by Lee Morgan was also played in Ornette Coleman's quartet by Don Cherry. A player of this instrument wrote a 6/8 time 12-bar blues in the (*) G Mixolydian mode titled "All Blues" for an album that includes "So What." For 10 points—what instrument was played on Kind of Blue by Miles Davis?

A player of this instrument, Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, reordered the movements of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme for orchestra and it. Eight of these instruments play in two of Heitor Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras. The rising notes G, D, high B open an arpeggio-heavy Prelude in the first of (*) six solo suites for this instrument by J. S. Bach. For 10 points—name this string instrument played by Yo-Yo Ma.

This character mockingly sings "Don't open the door…until the ring is on your finger" in his serenade "Vous qui faites l'endormie" [voo kee fet lahn-dor-mee]. A "Song of the Golden Calf" is performed by this character, who is cowed by Michael's sword as a woman ascends to heaven while angels sing (*) "Saved!" This character conjures an image of Marguerite at a spinning wheel to tempt a scholar. For 10 points—name this demon who bargains with Faust.

answer: Mephistopheles (or Méphistophélès; accept Mephisto; reject "Satan" or "Lucifer" or "(the) devil")

A commemoration of this event emulates nine heavenly dragons by pouring water over a small statue. The flower festival of Hanamatsuri celebrates this event, which occurred in the month of Vaishakha and led Asita to travel to Kapilavastu. This event occurred underneath a (*) sal tree in Lumbini, ten months after Maya dreamed that a white elephant had entered her womb. For 10 points—name this arrival of a religious leader.

answer: the birth of the Buddha (accept all answers indicating the Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama (any underlined portion) and the notion of birth or birthday or being born or delivered)

This man curses his servant, Gehazi, for greedily demanding money from the Syrian commander Naaman, who had been healed of leprosy. After this man is mocked as a "baldhead," he summons (*) bears to maul a group of boys. This man received a "double portion" of power from his mentor, who was then taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. For 10 points—what Old Testament prophet was the successor to the similarly named Elijah?

Kepler's first law asserts that these paths are ellipses. For 10 points each—

A. Name these paths traced out by planets as they go around the Sun.

answer: planetary orbits

B. This dimensionless orbital parameter is about 0.017 for Earth's orbit.

answer: eccentricity (prompt on "e" or "epsilon")

C. The radial distance of a planet from the Sun equals half the length of this line segment over "1 plus eccentricity times cosine theta."

answer: latus rectum (reject "(semi-)major axis" or "(semi-)minor axis")

The first salaried female professor in the sciences, Laura Bassi, worked at this university in the 18th century. For 10 points each—

A. Name this oldest university in Europe.

answer: University of Bologna (or (Alma Mater Studiorum -) Università di Bologna)

B. This other scientist who served as faculty at Bologna names a curve produced by the Cartesian equation "y equals 8 a cubed divided by x squared plus 4 a squared." The common English name for that curve is due to a mistranslation of a word that means "rope that turns a sail."

answer: Maria Gaetana Agnesi (accept the witch of Agnesi)

C. Much earlier, this scientist born in modern Poland attended the University of Bologna for four years before later developing a heliocentric model.

answer: Nicolaus Copernicus (or Nicholas Copernicus or Mikołaj Kopernik)

[Important Bird Area]

Could I see the TUs on Prague (some morning round), Iowa (don't remember), Stacy's Mom (some morning round), Slovakia (don't remember), and Zambia (some Sunday morning round)?

The longest escalators in the E.U. are in this city's Námestí Míru subway station. In 2000 this city's high-tech style Žižkov Television Tower had its pillars adorned by artist David Černý with giant crawling (*) baby sculptures. In this city, the nickname "Fred and Ginger" is often given to Frank Gehry's "Dancing House" on the Vltava River. For 10 points—name this capital of the Czech Republic.

This state's city of Pella contains a Dutch-inspired windmill and canal district. This state's town of Carter Lake effectively became an exclave after an 1877 flood changed the course of the Missouri River. A university in this state's city of (*) Ames, whose sports teams are the Cyclones, has an in-state rivalry with another school's Hawkeyes. For 10 points—what Midwestern state contains Dubuque and Des Moines?

This character first appears driving a red convertible to pick up a girl in a Van Halen shirt. Rachel Hunter played this character in a video in which a lawn mower hits a birdhouse after she says "you missed a (*) spot over there." A track on the album Welcome Interstate Managers that states "I've waited for so long" notes this character has "got it going on." Fountains of Wayne sang about—for 10 points—what parent of a friend?

In this country, the tajchy are artificial reservoirs originally built to power the silver mines of Banská Štiavnica. Kriván Mountain is a national symbol near this country's northern border in the (*) Tatra Mountains. Pressburg was the former German name for the capital of this country, which overlaps with the historical region of Upper Hungary. Košice is a city in—for 10 points—what country governed from Bratislava?

This country's lead-contaminated Kabwe mines are where the "Broken Hill" skull, the first early human skull found in Africa, was unearthed in 1921. This country's north contains its Copperbelt Province. A waterfall on this country's southern border is known locally as (*) Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the "Smoke That Thunders." Victoria Falls borders both Zimbabwe and—for 10 points—what landlocked African country whose capital is Lusaka?

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the Ron Santo TU (i think that's what the answerline was anyways) and the dimensions TU?

For 10 points each—answer the following about baseball players who starred on the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox:

A. After playing for both teams, Clark Griffith became the owner of this city's AL team, the Senators, in 1920. The Nationals now play here.

answer: Washington, D.C. (accept either underlined portion; accept District of Columbia; accept Washington Senators or Washington Nationals)

B. From 1989 to 2004 this outfielder with 609 career home runs played in Chicago. In 1998 he and Mark McGwire both broke the single-season home run record.

answer: Sammy Sosa (or Samuel (Kevin Peralta) Sosa)

C. This hall of fame third baseman wore number 10 on the Cubs from 1960 to 1973 and played with the White Sox in 1974. During the first part of his career, he hid the fact he had diabetes.

answer: Ron Santo (or Ronald Edward Santo)

In machine learning, the parameter space varies exponentially with this quantity for a data matrix. The k-nearest neighbors algorithm degrades for high values of this quantity, its "curse." When this quantity is (*) 2 a random walk almost surely returns to the origin, but not for higher values. For a matrix, this quantity is given as "m by n." For 10 points—what term means the number of coordinates needed to specify a point?

[Orojas2774]

Thanks for a great set and a great tournament. I thought the lit was generally very difficult, at least compared to past years. I especially thought that the tossups on Thomas Wolfe (R29 I believe) and Trollope (R20) were very difficult but I did enjoy playing both of them especially since Thomas Wolfe has ties to Western North Carolina which is just a short ways away from where I live in Greenville. The tossup on Clarissa (R28 I believe), however, I thought was unnecessary and would’ve played better if it were just a Richardson or Pamela tossup, though our opponents on Strake Jesuit had no trouble getting it right out of power in the game. Could I see all of those questions as well as the Alexander Stephens tu (Round 30?), the Tom Jones tu (Round 6), and the 1976 tu (Round 7), and the All The King’s Men tu (Round 8 or 9). I thought those questions were excellent and played really well in the rooms I was in, they were probably some of my favorite questions from the set this year alongside the Dread Pirate Roberts tu (Round 28). Thanks again.

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the "speed-running", "magritte", "E=mc^2", (Sunday morning, all from the same round), TUs, "mies" and "brazil" TUs from round 24?

JSR trained his dog Peanut Butter to do this activity for Gyromite. YouTube documentaries by Summoning Salt trace the history of this activity in various games. Using hyper-extended super slides is required for this activity in (*) Ocarina of Time. GDQ events feature this activity, in which Any% ["any percent"] categories allow glitches and sequence breaks. For 10 points—name this activity of beating a video game as fast as possible.

answer: speedrunning (or performing a speed run; before "Summoning," accept pressing buttons; ask "In what specific way?" on answers such as "playing a video game" or "beating a video game")

This artist painted a green, pickle-like man with a gun barrel nose in The Ellipsis, from his "Vache" period. Nocturnal streets appear below daytime skies in this artist's Empire of Light series. He showed two men with a (*) club and a net waiting for a man listening to a gramophone in The Menaced Assassin. Men in overcoats and bowler hats dot the sky in this artist's Golconda. For 10 points—name this Belgian surrealist.

A modification of this statement by LinkedIn user Sreekanth Kumbha was mocked for adding a term for AI. Luce Irigaray claimed this statement was a "sexed equation." In Animaniacs this statement's originator is inspired by the Warners singing the "Acme Song" and writing "ACME" (*) backward. The 1905 paper "Does the inertia of a body depend upon its energy-content?" proposed—for 10 points—what equation of mass-energy equivalence?

This architect designed the Pavilion Apartments while leading the redesign of Detroit's Lafayette Park. He used eight 5-foot columns to try and elevate one structure above the Fox River floodplain. This man included just one big open classroom in (*) Crown Hall, one of his buildings for the Illinois Institute of Technology. The Farnsworth House was designed by—for 10 points—what German architect who argued "less is more"?

In 1973 a musician from this country sang on "500 Miles High" by Return to Forever. A song whose title means "Out of Tune" appears on a 1964 album partly titled for a guitarist from this country. Flora Purim is from this country, the setting of a song about a (*) woman who is "tall and tan and young and lovely." João Gilberto's version of "The Girl from Ipanema" exemplifies—for 10 points—what country's bossa nova music?

[Important Bird Area]

Thanks for a great set and a great tournament. I thought the lit was generally very difficult, at least compared to past years. I especially thought that the tossups on Thomas Wolfe (R29 I believe) and Trollope (R20) were very difficult but I did enjoy playing both of them especially since Thomas Wolfe has ties to Western North Carolina which is just a short ways away from where I live in Greenville. The tossup on Clarissa (R28 I believe), however, I thought was unnecessary and would’ve played better if it were just a Richardson or Pamela tossup, though our opponents on Strake Jesuit had no trouble getting it right out of power in the game. Could I see all of those questions as well as the Alexander Stephens tu (Round 30?), the Tom Jones tu (Round 6), and the 1976 tu (Round 7), and the All The King’s Men tu (Round 8 or 9). I thought those questions were excellent and played really well in the rooms I was in, they were probably some of my favorite questions from the set this year alongside the Dread Pirate Roberts tu (Round 28). Thanks again.

This author's unpublished manuscripts were posthumously given to editor Edward Aswell, who extracted a pair of novels about the author George "Monk" Webber. This author used a line from John Milton's Lycidas to title a novel that ends with the protagonist leaving his hometown of (*) Altamont, Catawba, a version of Asheville, North Carolina. For 10 points—what author fictionalized himself as Eugene Gant in Look Homeward, Angel?

This author wrote about Paul Montague, an engineer who gets involved in a dubious railroad project, in a novel that begins with Augustus Melmotte sparking financial speculation in London. A series of "chronicles" by this author includes a book in which the ambitious chaplain (*) Obadiah Slope hopes to influence the new bishop, Proudie. For 10 points—what Victorian novelist wrote The Way We Live Now and Barchester Towers?

A "pedantic young clergyman" in this novel who frequently quotes other authors is named Elias Brand. Anna Howe is the addressee of many missives in this novel, whose protagonist is tricked into staying at Mrs. Sinclair's brothel. This (*) epistolary novel's title character is seduced by the rake Robert Lovelace. For 10 points—what "History of a Young Lady" by Samuel Richardson is one of the longest novels in English?

In a speech in Savannah, this man described a "sandy foundation" centered on the idea that "all men are created equal." This man proclaimed "the great truth that the Negro is not equal to the white man" in an address defending secession, his (*) Cornerstone Speech. He joined the Hampton Roads peace conference in 1865 while holding an office under that of Jefferson Davis. For 10 points—name this Confederate vice president.

This novel begins by comparing authors to tavernkeepers, and thus offers its readers a literary "bill of fare." In this novel, a virtuous girl from Somerset is almost seduced by Lord Fellamar as part of Lady Bellaston's schemes. The title youth of this (*) picaresque 1749 novel is slandered by Master Blifil, who desires Sophia Western. Squire Allworthy raises the title foundling in—for 10 points—what Henry Fielding novel?

In this presidential election, Hamilton Jordan managed a winning campaign that used slogans like "A Leader, for a Change." As part of the "ABC" movement, Jerry Brown became a late entrant to this year's Democratic primaries. In this election, (*) Ronald Reagan unsuccessfully challenged a Republican incumbent who took office when Richard Nixon resigned. Jimmy Carter beat Gerald Ford in—for 10 points—what presidential election?

Noel Polk's controversial "restored" edition of this novel reverted a character's name to "Talos." This novel opens by describing a state's Highway 58, over which Sugar Boy drives the protagonists to Mason City before they threaten Judge Irwin. This novel's narrator muses on a "Great (*) Twitch" after learning that Anne is sleeping with "the Boss." Jack Burden works for Willie Stark in—for 10 points—what novel by Robert Penn Warren?

[lrojas2773]

Thanks for a great set this year. Could I see the meristem, urea, hilbert, Gödel incompleteness theorem, velocity, metabolic rate, stegosaurus, arithmetic and geometric mean, de morgan, and boise state tus

[Quizbowl Vítězí]

Could I see the TUs on Prague (some morning round), Iowa (don't remember), Stacy's Mom (some morning round), Slovakia (don't remember), and Zambia (some Sunday morning round)?

The longest escalators in the E.U. are in this city's Námestí Míru subway station. In 2000 this city's high-tech style Žižkov Television Tower had its pillars adorned by artist David Černý with giant crawling (*) baby sculptures. In this city, the nickname "Fred and Ginger" is often given to Frank Gehry's "Dancing House" on the Vltava River. For 10 points—name this capital of the Czech Republic.

This state's city of Pella contains a Dutch-inspired windmill and canal district. This state's town of Carter Lake effectively became an exclave after an 1877 flood changed the course of the Missouri River. A university in this state's city of (*) Ames, whose sports teams are the Cyclones, has an in-state rivalry with another school's Hawkeyes. For 10 points—what Midwestern state contains Dubuque and Des Moines?

This character first appears driving a red convertible to pick up a girl in a Van Halen shirt. Rachel Hunter played this character in a video in which a lawn mower hits a birdhouse after she says "you missed a (*) spot over there." A track on the album Welcome Interstate Managers that states "I've waited for so long" notes this character has "got it going on." Fountains of Wayne sang about—for 10 points—what parent of a friend?

In this country, the tajchy are artificial reservoirs originally built to power the silver mines of Banská Štiavnica. Kriván Mountain is a national symbol near this country's northern border in the (*) Tatra Mountains. Pressburg was the former German name for the capital of this country, which overlaps with the historical region of Upper Hungary. Košice is a city in—for 10 points—what country governed from Bratislava?

This country's lead-contaminated Kabwe mines are where the "Broken Hill" skull, the first early human skull found in Africa, was unearthed in 1921. This country's north contains its Copperbelt Province. A waterfall on this country's southern border is known locally as (*) Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the "Smoke That Thunders." Victoria Falls borders both Zimbabwe and—for 10 points—what landlocked African country whose capital is Lusaka?

This set was a lot of fun to hear! Ofc I only read one packet in consolation but it was still a blast! Jim Puls and I were cracking up over the mentions of long escalators. The Prague question felt like a nice change of pace from all the other geography/architecture TUs on Prague I've heard in the past that mention Pražský orloj or Václavské náměstí. As others have said, kudos on the difficulty, it really set the tone of a championship atmosphere, especially for some of the more high-stakes games in the room I scorekept in (shout-out Wade Hampton v. Livingston for providing the greatest game I've ever had the pleasure of staffing).

[giantsfan1]

Could I see the tossups on Younger (R8), Attucks (R10), South Africa (R10), Intifadas (R11), France and Mexico (R12), Vlad the Impaler (R13), King Philip's War (R14), Cambodia (R16), Draco (R18), "We Can Do It!" (R21), Sundiata (R21), and Peru (R24)?

[Important Bird Area]

Thanks for a great set this year. Could I see the meristem, urea, hilbert, Gödel incompleteness theorem, velocity, metabolic rate, stegosaurus, arithmetic and geometric mean, de morgan, and boise state tus

KNOX genes maintain these tissues, such as a type containing a quiescent center adjacent to a statocyte-containing "cap." Secondary growth, such as the replacement of the epidermis, is directed by "lateral" types of this tissue, including the (*) cork cambium. The undifferentiated cells in this tissue can give rise to the pith, phloem, and xylem. For 10 points—roots and shoots arise from the "apical" type of what plant tissue?

answer: meristem(s) (or meristematic tissue; accept root apical meristem or shoot apical meristem or primary meristem or secondary meristem or lateral meristem; before "cambium," prompt on "cambium")

An 8 molar solution of this molecule is a common component of a denaturant used in the gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids. The permeability of water and this compound in the collecting duct are increased by ADH. Ornithine and this compound are made in a biochemical (*) "cycle" that eliminates toxic ammonia from the body. For 10 points—the name of what nitrogen-containing compound indicates its presence in mammalian urine?

Paul Gordan remarked that this mathematician's proof of a theorem about generating sets was not "mathematics" but "theology." Quantum mechanics uses the complete inner product spaces named for this mathematician. Properties of infinity are explained via (*) rooms in this mathematician's "hotel." For 10 points—in 1900, what German mathematician suggested that 20th-century scholars focus on his list of 23 unsolved problems?

In 1989 a shortened proof of this theorem was given by George Boolos, which was based on Berry's paradox. This theorem, which was originally proved using a lemma loosely derived from Georg Cantor's diagonal argument, applies to systems that include the rules of (*) Peano arithmetic. Some formal systems contain statements that are neither provable nor unprovable according to—for 10 points—what theorem proved by Kurt Gödel?

The Froude number equals this quantity over the square root of "L times g." For fluid flowing horizontally out of a hole in a tank, this quantity goes as the square root of the tank height according to Torricelli's law. A drop in (*) pressure goes with a rise in this quantity according to Bernoulli's principle. Shock waves form when this quantity exceeds Mach 1. For 10 points—name this quantity measured in meters per second.

This quantity is measured by comparing the elimination rates of oxygen-18 and deuterium after giving an organism doubly-labeled water. Alternate units for this quantity include milliliters of oxygen per minute. Its "standard" form is calculated at a given (*) temperature for fasting, nonstressed ectotherms. Daily calorie requirements depend on the "basal" form of—for 10 points—what speed at which an animal expends energy?

answer: metabolic rate (or rate of metabolism or speed of metabolism; or basal metabolic rate; or standard metabolic rate; or BMR; or SMR; after "speed," accept metabolism; before "speed," prompt on "metabolism")

In 2013 this creature's now-doubtful armatus species was replaced as its type species by the better-attested stenops. In both this dinosaur and Camarasaurus, Othniel Marsh observed an enlarged vertebral canal near the hips, leading to myths regarding its (*) "second brain." Gary Larson coined the term "thagomizer" for the tail spikes of—for 10 points—what Jurassic dinosaur with two rows of upright kite-shaped back plates?

Augustin-Louis Cauchy's proof of a statement relating these two expressions shows that it is true for powers of 2, then uses forward-backward induction. The expression "x plus 1 over x" can be minimized by invoking an inequality relating the size of these two expressions. For two (*) variables x and y, these two expressions are "the square root of x y" and "x plus y quantity over 2." For 10 points—name these two types of mean.

This person introduced the use of a solidus, or slash, for fractions in his text Calculus of Functions. The term "mathematical induction" was coined by this person, who also introduced the modern meaning of the word "quantifier" as he developed (*) logic with George Boole. The negation of "A and B" is equivalent to "not A or not B" according to the first of two "laws" named after—for 10 points—what British mathematician?

This school went undefeated in 2006 under coach Chris Petersen, ending in a 43-42 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma. In 2011 this school's Kellen Moore became the winningest quarterback in college history. The 2024 (*) runner-up for the Heisman Trophy rushed for 2,601 yards that season while playing for this school, whose home field has blue turf. Ashton Jeanty played at—for 10 points—what Mountain West school in Idaho?

[moneymaster]

Could I see the Intifada tossup, the Daoism bonus (r23 i think), and the Eurovision bonus (r16 i think)? Thanks!

[lumosityfan]

the Ron Santo TU (i think that's what the answerline was anyways)

Ron Santo was a bonus hard part, if that's what you're thinking of.

Ah ok thanks I had a feeling I was wrong about that.

[lumosityfan]

Can I see the Coco Gauff, ionizing radiation, and Jones tossups?

[David_Ropp]

Thanks for a great nats and question set. Could I see the tossups on Iraq (R30), German Requiem (R28), Sicily (I think from R26), trumpet (R18), Cello (R25), mephistopheles (R4), birth of buddha (R4), and Elisha (R29). Could I also see the bonus set on #24 from round 7 and idk if it’s possible, but could I see the replacement bonus set Wade Hampton was read at the end of R28 (the last part was copernicus)?

This modern-day country is the site of the Garden of Ridván, where in 1863 a "Father of the Poor" identified himself as "he whom God shall make manifest." A religion that venerates the "peacock angel" Tawusi Melek is largely based in this country, the pre-21st-century majority home of the (*) Mandaeans. The majority of Yazidis live in—for 10 points—what country, where the Baha'u'lláh first proclaimed the Baha'i faith in Baghdad?

At this work's partial premiere, a timpanist mistook a fortepiano for a fortissimo and held a rolled D far too loud through a third-movement fugue. George Bernard Shaw quipped a "first-class undertaker" produced this work, whose sixth movement contains a C major fugue preceded by the declaration "Death, where is thy sting?" (*) Vernacular excerpts from the Luther Bible are set in—for 10 points—what work by Johannes Brahms?

Control over this island's west was established at the Battle of the Crimissus, a victory for Timoleon. An autocrat on this island ordered the Euryalus fortress built. Settlers from Corinth founded a city-state on this island later controlled by the tyrant (*) Gelon, who defeated Carthage at the Battle of Himera. Dionysius ruled the city-state of Syracuse on—for 10 points—what island off the "boot" of the Italian peninsula?

This was the main instrument of a soul jazz pioneer who was murdered by his wife Helen Moore. This instrument played on The Sidewinder by Lee Morgan was also played in Ornette Coleman's quartet by Don Cherry. A player of this instrument wrote a 6/8 time 12-bar blues in the (*) G Mixolydian mode titled "All Blues" for an album that includes "So What." For 10 points—what instrument was played on Kind of Blue by Miles Davis?

A player of this instrument, Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, reordered the movements of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme for orchestra and it. Eight of these instruments play in two of Heitor Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras. The rising notes G, D, high B open an arpeggio-heavy Prelude in the first of (*) six solo suites for this instrument by J. S. Bach. For 10 points—name this string instrument played by Yo-Yo Ma.

This character mockingly sings "Don't open the door…until the ring is on your finger" in his serenade "Vous qui faites l'endormie" [voo kee fet lahn-dor-mee]. A "Song of the Golden Calf" is performed by this character, who is cowed by Michael's sword as a woman ascends to heaven while angels sing (*) "Saved!" This character conjures an image of Marguerite at a spinning wheel to tempt a scholar. For 10 points—name this demon who bargains with Faust.

answer: Mephistopheles (or Méphistophélès; accept Mephisto; reject "Satan" or "Lucifer" or "(the) devil")

A commemoration of this event emulates nine heavenly dragons by pouring water over a small statue. The flower festival of Hanamatsuri celebrates this event, which occurred in the month of Vaishakha and led Asita to travel to Kapilavastu. This event occurred underneath a (*) sal tree in Lumbini, ten months after Maya dreamed that a white elephant had entered her womb. For 10 points—name this arrival of a religious leader.

answer: the birth of the Buddha (accept all answers indicating the Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama (any underlined portion) and the notion of birth or birthday or being born or delivered)

This man curses his servant, Gehazi, for greedily demanding money from the Syrian commander Naaman, who had been healed of leprosy. After this man is mocked as a "baldhead," he summons (*) bears to maul a group of boys. This man received a "double portion" of power from his mentor, who was then taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. For 10 points—what Old Testament prophet was the successor to the similarly named Elijah?

Kepler's first law asserts that these paths are ellipses. For 10 points each—

A. Name these paths traced out by planets as they go around the Sun.

answer: planetary orbits

B. This dimensionless orbital parameter is about 0.017 for Earth's orbit.

answer: eccentricity (prompt on "e" or "epsilon")

C. The radial distance of a planet from the Sun equals half the length of this line segment over "1 plus eccentricity times cosine theta."

answer: latus rectum (reject "(semi-)major axis" or "(semi-)minor axis")

The first salaried female professor in the sciences, Laura Bassi, worked at this university in the 18th century. For 10 points each—

A. Name this oldest university in Europe.

answer: University of Bologna (or (Alma Mater Studiorum -) Università di Bologna)

B. This other scientist who served as faculty at Bologna names a curve produced by the Cartesian equation "y equals 8 a cubed divided by x squared plus 4 a squared." The common English name for that curve is due to a mistranslation of a word that means "rope that turns a sail."

answer: Maria Gaetana Agnesi (accept the witch of Agnesi)

C. Much earlier, this scientist born in modern Poland attended the University of Bologna for four years before later developing a heliocentric model.

answer: Nicolaus Copernicus (or Nicholas Copernicus or Mikołaj Kopernik)

Thanks. I really enjoyed the afa content this set, I thought the tossups were really creative and had some nice answerlines (0, Concerto for Orchestra, German Requiem, Australia, American in Paris, thumb, etc). I also liked the bonus parts on Glazunov, Couperin, and Korngold. As a cellist I loved to see naqt finally put some respect on the Rococo Variations, and I also enjoyed the early music content like the Guido d’Arezzo bonus set and the Leonin/Perotin clue for Paris. I found the jazz in this set pretty difficult, and I was surprised to see “G Mixolydian mode” as the power mark on the trumpet question. It was also nice to see the continued hsnct trend of tossing up operatic side characters - I was so ready for the Cavarodossi, Scarpia, or Pinkerton tossup, but I guess Calaf makes sense too. I imagine the Mephistopheles question would’ve played better as a later round tossup - I would be interest in seeing the conversion stats for it. I thought some of the mixed subject myth tossups like Mares of Diomedes and Mistletoe might’ve played better as straight myth, as there’s no lack of clues to use and there is little enough mythology content as is. I found the vfa in the set to be pretty standard (translation: zzzzz), but was it well done overall and seemed to me to be an appropriate difficulty. Thanks for a great nats

[Nabgabber]

Could I see the solar panels tossup, the count of monte cristo tossup, the boeing 747 tossup, the sisyphus tossup, the garcia lorca tossup, the microsoft tossup, the lady lazarus tossup, the fact checking tossup, the kawabata tossup, and the red chief tossup, as well as the r24 bonus whose first two parts were hydrogen and rydberg?

[Ben Hellman]

Can I see the tossups on Ezra Pound, monetary, Zombies, and the Bahamas?

[zippyzobo]

Could I please see the North Carolina, Grandmother, linear, and Rocketman tossups? Thank you.

[kinetickakapo]

May I see the tossup on Peru, Papua New Guinea, Nude Descending a Staircase, Boccaccio, Death and the King's Horseman, and stars (round 18)?

[someonedoingsomething]

Hi, could I please see the tossups on Iceland (r17) and thumb (r20), thanks so much for a great set!

[KM2010]

May I see the France and Mexico tossup, the South Africa tossup(From Round 9 or 10), and the Bhutan tossup?

[Important Bird Area]

Could I see the tossups on Younger (R8), Attucks (R10), South Africa (R10), Intifadas (R11), France and Mexico (R12), Vlad the Impaler (R13), King Philip's War (R14), Cambodia (R16), Draco (R18), "We Can Do It!" (R21), Sundiata (R21), and Peru (R24)?

A member of this family claims the death of her baby Claude spurred her husband to work himself to death "like he was fighting his own war." A member of this family imagines saying "Hello, Jefferson" to a gardener after deciding to invest 6,500 dollars in a (*) liquor store. A member of this family states "We don't want your money" to refuse Karl Lindner's buyout offer. For 10 points—name this family in A Raisin in the Sun.

This man was criticized for having "undertaken to be the hero of the night" in a speech by John Adams. This man may have yelled "kill the dogs, knock them over" and swung a stick at Thomas Preston, who likely ordered the (*) shots that struck him. Faneuil Hall held the body of this sailor and fugitive slave after he was killed by British soldiers in 1770. For 10 points—name this mixed-race man who died in the Boston Massacre.

While deployed in another nation, this country's 32 Battalion fought alongside UNITA at the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. This country opposed the PLAN and the MPLA in its decades-long Border War, which ended just before the (*) Population Registration Act was repealed. For decades, this country occupied what is now Namibia. In 1992 the ANC was legalized by F. W. de Klerk in—for 10 points—what country that imposed apartheid?

One of these movements began after a car crash killed four people at the Jabalia refugee camp. Operation Defensive Shield responded to one of these movements that was triggered by Ariel Sharon visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The first of these movements led to the (*) Oslo Accords, while the second ended shortly after the death of Yasser Arafat. For 10 points—name these uprisings against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

answer: intifadas (accept First Intifada or Second Intifada or Al-Aqsa Intifada; before "Palestine," prompt on "Palestinian uprising(s)" or "Palestinian rebellion(s)" or descriptive equivalents)

In a war between these two countries, POWs were executed under the "Black Decree" at the Battle of Amatlán. The bombardment of a port during a war between these two countries caused an eleven-time president to lose his leg. These two countries fought the (*) Pastry War and an "intervention" that installed Maximillian as emperor. The Battle of Puebla involved—for 10 points—what countries led by Benito Juarez and Napoleon III?

This ruler's forces tried to assassinate a rival during the Night Attack on Târgoviste. Amid a feud with his brother Radu the Handsome, this man was imprisoned by Matthias Corvinus. After killing envoys of Mehmed II, this (*) voivode, whose father belonged to the Order of the Dragon, allegedly killed Ottoman prisoners by driving stakes through them. For 10 points—what prince inspired a fictional Transylvanian vampire?

answer: Vlad the Impaler (or Vlad III or Vlad Tepes; prompt on "Vlad" or "(Vlad) Dracula")

In this war, Richard Waldron took over 400 men hostage using a trick involving a "mock battle" at Cocheco Falls. Mary Rowlandson published a pioneering "captivity narrative" about her experiences in this war. After Josiah Winslow's victory in this war's Great (*) Swamp Fight, the Narragansetts sacked Providence. A Wampanoag chief names—for 10 points—what 1670s war between New England colonists and Native people?

After operations in this country, Hal Knight burned records and sent the coded message "The ball game is over." Both "Operation Breakfast" and "Operation Dessert" targeted this country, into which Nuon Chea invited Communist forces. Power in this country was seized by (*) Lon Nol after the 1970 ousting of Norodom Sihanouk. To break Viet Cong supply lines, the U.S. secretly bombed—for 10 points—what country of the Khmer Rouge?

This statesman began his most famous project in response to the sacrilege of Megacles against nine followers of the tyrant Cylon. This man may have given the ephetai new authority by reducing the power of the Areopagus. This man's provision for (*) debt slavery was reformed by Solon. The death penalty was used extensively in the law code of—for 10 points—what Athenian lawmaker whose name now indicates harsh punishments?

A figure depicted below this phrase was based on a photo of Naomi Parker in Alameda. The note "Post Feb. 15 to Feb. 28" appears in the corner of an image featuring this phrase for Westinghouse Electric. J. Howard Miller placed this phrase above a figure in a (*) blue shirt and polka dot headscarf. A woman often misidentified as Rosie the Riveter flexes in a World War II poster and says—for 10 points—what four-word phrase?

This man is given control of half the army of the ruler of Mema. To defeat an enemy, this character uses an arrow tipped with a rooster's spur. This character, who frees his hometown of Niani and leads the Mandinka to victory at the Battle of (*) Kirina, fights off Sumanguru Kanté, the sorcerer-king of Sosso. A namesake epic passed down orally by griots chronicles—for 10 points—what semi-mythic founder of the Mali Empire?

Anger in this country over Spain's 1864 seizure of the Chincha Islands led to a coup by Mariano Ignacio Prado. Ramón Castilla governed this country for part of its prosperous "Guano Era." Despite the naval brilliance of Miguel Grau, this nation lost (*) Tacna and Arica in the War of the Pacific. 1824 victories against Spain at Junín and Ayacucho helped win the independence of—for 10 points—what country with many Inca ruins?

[Important Bird Area]

Could I see the Intifada tossup, the Daoism bonus (r23 i think), and the Eurovision bonus (r16 i think)? Thanks!

A man venerated by this religion dreamed of being prime minister while cooking his yellow millet. For 10 points each—

A. Name this religion that celebrates the Eight Immortals. A philosopher from this religion questioned whether he was a man dreaming of being a butterfly, or vice versa.

answer: Taoism (or Daoism; accept Taoist(s) or Daoist(s))

B. This second sage of Taoism included the Butterfly Dream in his namesake book, which also features a debate on the happiness of fish.

answer: Zhuangzi (or Zhuang Zhou or Chuang Tzu)

C. This man, whose name means "old master," is the attributed founder of Taoism, and is credited with writing the Dao De Jing.

answer: Laozi or Lao Tzu (or Lao Tze)

Because Netta won this competition in 2018, its 2019 iteration took place in Israel. For 10 points each—

A. Name this annual international "song contest" held since 1956.

answer: Eurovision Song Contest (or ESC)

B. During Eurovision 2019 the Icelandic band Hatari displayed representations of this black, white, green, and red object. From 1980 to 1993 representations of this object could cause art to be deemed illegal in Israel.

answer: Palestinian flag(s) (accept flag of Palestine; prompt on "flag")

C. This mononymous non-binary Swiss musician won the 2024 Eurovision contest with the song "The Code." A character who uses this name aids five Civil War POWs in Jules Verne's novel The Mysterious Island.

answer: Nemo (accept Nemo Mettler or Captain Nemo; accept any underlined portion)

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the Coco Gauff, ionizing radiation, and Jones tossups?

This woman beat Poland's Iga Swiatek in the final of the 2025 United Cup. In an upset, this woman lost a quarterfinal to Paula Badosa at the 2025 Australian Open. At the 2024 Olympic (*) opening ceremony, LeBron James carried the U.S. flag with this woman, a year after she won her first Grand Slam title. The 2023 women's singles title at the U.S. Open was won by—for 10 points—what Black tennis star known as "Coco"?

This broad class of particles can liberate other particles whose total kinetic energy is a measure known as "kerma." A scintillation counter detects this broad class of particle, which has an associated risk measured in sieverts. Long-term health effects among (*) nuclear power plant workers can result from exposure to—for 10 points—what particles named for their ability to liberate electrons from atoms and molecules?

answer: ionizing radiation (accept nuclear radiation; prompt on "radiation" by asking "What is the defining characteristic of the radiation?"; prompt on "high-energy radiation")

This man led followers to the Ukiah Valley after predicting nuclear war would begin on July 15, 1967. George Moscone made this man chair of the San Francisco Housing Authority. This proponent of "Apostolic Socialism" held drills called "White Nights," sparking an investigation by (*) Congressman Leo Ryan. A Peoples Temple settlement in Guyana was called the "town" of—for 10 points—what cult leader who oversaw a mass poisoning?

[Important Bird Area]

Could I see the solar panels tossup, the count of monte cristo tossup, the boeing 747 tossup, the sisyphus tossup, the garcia lorca tossup, the microsoft tossup, the lady lazarus tossup, the fact checking tossup, the kawabata tossup, and the red chief tossup, as well as the r24 bonus whose first two parts were hydrogen and rydberg?

In Zanzibar these objects have been installed by namesake "mamas" trained by the Barefoot College. In 2024, 300 of these objects from the Silk Plus Silver brand were added to the Guggenheim Bilbao. 30,000 acres of desert in Xinjiang were covered with these objects to make the world's largest (*) "farm" of them, which outputs 3.5 gigawatts. For 10 points—name these semiconductor devices that produce electricity from light.

A woman in this novel cuts her hair and dresses as a man to escape to Belgium with Louise. This book ends with both the protagonist and the daughter of Ali Tebelen leaving for Asia, followed by the dictum that "all human wisdom" is found in the words "wait and (*) hope." Its title character is tutored by Abbé Faria while imprisoned in the Château d'If. Edmond Dantès gets revenge in—for 10 points—what novel by Alexandre Dumas?

In January 2023 production on these specific items ended with the 1,574th unit built, which was delivered to the cargo firm Atlas. An as-yet-nonexistent library will be the legal owner of one of these items that ABC reported was to be donated in May 2025 by the government of (*) Qatar, which formerly used it as a "palace in the sky." For 10 points—what first wide-body jumbo jet was once made for passenger service by Boeing?

This character married his niece Tyro as part of a failed plot to kill his brother Salmoneus. In a deal with the river god Asopus, this man received a spring but revealed that Aegina had been abducted by Zeus. After this king (*) tricked Thanatos into chaining himself up, thus halting all deaths, he was punished in Tartarus with an unachievable task. For 10 points—what man was cursed to forever roll a boulder up a hill?

In a play by this author, a woman doing laundry in a stream asserts that "talking's no sin" when her companions gossip about Victor and the title character. In another play by this author, the sickly Angustias attracts the attention of (*) Pepe El Romano during the eight-year mourning period imposed by the title matriarch. For 10 points—the Rural Trilogy of what Spanish author includes Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba?

This company maintains the Common Language Runtime, which executes .NET applications. This company develops the tools PowerShell and Visual Studio. After Amazon Web Services, the next largest cloud service is this company's (*) Azure platform. This company faced a 1998 antitrust case for bundling a web browser with its operating system's version 95. For 10 points—what company replaced Internet Explorer with Edge?

This poem's speaker declares "do not think I underestimate your great concern" after claiming to be "your opus" and "your valuable." This poem asserts the "first time" was an "accident" and "the second time I meant / to last it out," before stating (*) "dying is an art, like everything else." This poem's speaker claims "out of the ash / I rise with my red hair." For 10 points—what Sylvia Plath poem references a resurrected biblical figure?

In 2022 a website devoted to this process named Chris Richmond its CEO, ending a controversy sparked by the divorce of David and Barbara Mikkelson. Since 2011 Glenn Kessler has written a Washington Post column named for this process. In January 2025 Facebook ended direct sponsorship of this process and followed X by relying on (*) "community notes" instead. For 10 points—what process may label claims "satire," "true," or "false"?

One of this author's characters angers a lover when he goes from calling her a "good girl" to a "good woman." A student laughs upon realizing that a drum-carrying girl is only 14 in a novella that this man adapted into one of his (*) "palm-of-the-hand stories." Edward Seidensticker translated this author's novel about the affair between Shimamura and the geisha Komako. For 10 points—name this Japanese author of Snow Country.

After meeting this character, a man tells his partner that his favorite biblical character is "King Herod." While portraying "The Black Scout," this resident of Summit, Alabama forces a man to pretend to be his (*) horse. He is last seen being restrained by his father Ebenezer as Sam and Bill flee, having paid 250 dollars to get rid of him. For 10 points—name this obnoxious child whose "ransom" goes awry in an O. Henry story.

The most probable size of this atom is the Bohr radius. For 10 points each—

A. Name this atom in which one electron orbits a nucleus consisting of one proton.

answer: hydrogen atom (or H)

B. This formula extends Balmer's formula by giving the wavelengths of the spectral lines of hydrogen in terms of the principal quantum numbers n1 and n2.

answer: Rydberg('s) formula

C. A final principal quantum number of 3 corresponds to this series, which comes after the Lyman and Balmer series.

answer: Paschen series

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the tossups on Ezra Pound, monetary, Zombies, and the Bahamas?

The second section of a poem by this author opens "Hang it all, Robert Browning, there can be but the one 'Sordello.'" This poet described his struggle to "resuscitate the dead art" in an 18-part work that includes an "ode for the election of his sepulchre." This poet of (*) "Hugh Selwyn Mauberley" described "petals on a wet, black bough" in a two-line poem. For 10 points—name this Imagist poet of "In a Station of the Metro."

This adjective names a "modern" heterodox theory espoused in Stephanie Kelton's The Deficit Myth that dismisses concerns over government debt. The quantity theory is central to a branch of economics named for this adjective that titles a (*) Milton Friedman book when followed by the phrase "history of the United States." For 10 points—what adjective names "policy" that alters the amount of currency, contrasted with "fiscal policy"?

Exposing these creatures to UV light turns them into "degenerates" in a 2022 game in which Aiden Caldwell comes to the city of Villedor. A row of these creatures can be cleared by Mo the robotic lawn mower in the third entry of a tower defense series. Projekt (*) Endstation creates these creatures from Dark Aether in a namesake mode included in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. For 10 points—name these flesh-hungry undead.

British colonization of what is now this country began with the Eleutherian Adventurers. Colin Woodard coined the term "Republic of Pirates" for a 1700s confederacy on this country's island of New Providence. In 1940 (*) Edward VIII was made governor of this country, whose island of San Salvador was the site of the first New World landing by Christopher Columbus. For 10 points—what Caribbean country is led from Nassau?

[Important Bird Area]

Could I please see the North Carolina, Grandmother, linear, and Rocketman tossups? Thank you.

In February 2025 an Amazon warehouse in this state overwhelmingly voted against unionizing. Truist, FirstCitizens, and Bank of America are all based in this state, which contains the U.S.'s second-largest banking sector after New York. Lowe's and (*) Duke Energy are both headquartered in this state. The Triangle Business Journal covers corporate news around—for 10 points—what southern state's Raleigh-Durham region?

This character claims she "wouldn't talk about" her "native state" like a boy does. This character turns red after the "embarrassing" thought a house she'd been picturing is in Tennessee. A man notes this character could have been (*) "good" if "somebody" had been there to "shoot her every minute of her life." The last member of Bailey's family killed by the Misfit is—for 10 points—what nameless matriarch in "A Good Man is Hard to Find"?

This word follows "special" in the name of groups that contain all n-by-n matrices of determinant one. This word describes the "independence" possessed by the elements of a basis of a vector space. Transformations described by this word can be represented by (*) matrices in a subfield of algebra named for this word. For 10 points—what word describes functions whose graphs are straight lines?

The second track on the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms is a reggae-esque cover of this song by Kate Bush. This song's second verse describes a location that "ain't the kind of place to raise your kids." Dua Lipa's "Cold Heart" interpolates this song's chorus, which begins (*) "And I think it's gonna be a long, long time." A 2019 biopic starring Taron Edgerton is titled after—for 10 points—what Elton John song about an astronaut?

[Important Bird Area]

May I see the tossup on Peru, Papua New Guinea, Nude Descending a Staircase, Boccaccio, Death and the King's Horseman, and stars (round 18)?

In both 1937 and 1994 a volcano leveled this country's town of Rabaul on its island of New Britain. In what is now this country's city of Lae, Amelia Earhart was last seen alive. In a 2019 referendum, this country's island of (*) Bougainville voted to leave it, perhaps to join the rest of the Solomon Islands. The English-based creole Tok Pisin is one of over 800 languages in—for 10 points—what country led from Port Moresby?

This painting inspired a 1976 wood sculpture containing four TV screens by Shigeko Kubota. American Art News offered 10 dollars to anyone who could find the title figure among this painting's angular, light-brown forms. Julian Street likened this painting to an (*) "explosion" in a "shingle factory." The Armory Show caused a scandal by displaying—for 10 points—what painting evoking a figure in motion, by Marcel Duchamp?

A long work by this author opens with a "proem" that states it is "humane to have compassion." Female figures from myth account for the bulk of this author's 106 profiles in De Mulieribus Claris, or On Famous Women. This author from Certaldo included (*) 100 stories in a satire-filled work about ten people who tell tales after fleeing plague-ridden Florence. For 10 points—name this Renaissance Italian author of The Decameron.

A man in this play calls a ship captain's self-sacrifice an "affirmative commentary on life," contradicting Jane's perspective on the story. At the end of this play, the removal of a cloth covering reveals the corpse of a young man who moved to England from (*) Nigeria to study medicine. The colonial administrator Simon Pilkings interrupts the ritual suicide of Elesin Oba in—for 10 points—what play by Wole Soyinka?

These objects include the majority of "flare stars," such as UV Ceti. Planets in these objects' habitable zones are thought to be tidally locked "eyeball planets." Most of these stars are fully convective, which helps boost their lifespans to trillions of years. These (*) main sequence stars belong to spectral classes K and M. For 10 points—what most common type of star is named for its low-temperature color and small size?

answer: red dwarfs (before "K," accept M dwarfs or M dwarf stars; prompt on "dwarf (stars)"; reject "K dwarf(s)")

[Important Bird Area]

Hi, could I please see the tossups on Iceland (r17) and thumb (r20), thanks so much for a great set!

An artist from this country used Locrian mode in a song noting "if you complain once more / you'll meet an army of me." A band from this country released the 2023 album Átta and is led by Jónsi. The 2019 film (*) Joker was scored by a cellist from this country, home to a musician whose 2001 album Vespertine depicts her in a "swan dress." For 10 points—what island country is home to Sigur Rós, Hildur Gudnadóttir, and Björk?

This body part names a non-standard position that facilitates playing in the high registers of a string bass or cello. Metal "tongues" are attached to a resonator in an mbira, an African "piano" named for being played with this body part. Percussionists may lick this body part before using it to perform a rapid namesake (*) "roll" on a tambourine. In piano fingering, the number "1" indicates—for 10 points—what opposable digit?

[Important Bird Area]

May I see the France and Mexico tossup, the South Africa tossup(From Round 9 or 10), and the Bhutan tossup?

This country's main east-west highway, the Lateral Road, travels from the town of Trashigang to Phuntsholing. This country's Paro Valley is overlooked by a cliffside monastery known as the "Tiger's Nest." Jigme Khesar Wangchuck is the current (*) Druk Gyalpo, or "Dragon King," of this country, which seeks to maximize its citizens' "gross national happiness." For 10 points—name this Himalayan country between India and Tibet.

[Jacksondahammerbidney]

Can I see the NYC mayor, West Virginia, Vikings, Lula, the LDP tossup pls? Also wanna see the Arkansas CE bonus, and the NH bonus.

[PadraigF]

Can I see Wolves, Millay, Afghanistan, Benet, Sweden, German Navy tossups? Thanks

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see the NYC mayor, West Virginia, Vikings, Lula, the LDP tossup pls? Also wanna see the Arkansas CE bonus, and the NH bonus.

A candidate for this office proposed creating a "Mom and Pops Czar" to cut fines and application fees for small businesses by 50 percent. DSA member Zohran Mamdani is polling second in the Democratic primary for this office behind a former (*) governor who re-entered politics after a sexual harassment scandal. For 10 points—name this urban office being sought by Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Eric Adams.

To protect this state's Green Bank Observatory, its eastern border is part of the National Radio Quiet Zone. A 1971 song coined this state's nickname of "Almost Heaven." A Cold War bunker for Congress sits under the (*) Greenbrier resort in this state. It is the U.S.'s second-largest coal producer. Its city of Wheeling hosted a pair of secession conventions. For 10 points—in 1863 what state split from its eastern neighbor?

This team lost a playoff game when Drew Pearson caught a Roger Staubach pass that was the first to be widely called a "Hail Mary." Like the Buffalo Bills, this team has been to four Super Bowls, none of which it has won. Carl Eller and Alan Page were members of a defensive line called the (*) "Purple People Eaters" on this NFC North team, which in 1982 moved to the Metrodome. For 10 points—what NFL team plays in Minneapolis?

An ideology was named after this politician by André Singer, who linked his followers to a "subproletariat." A movement to "free" this man formed after Sergio Moro sentenced him to prison during Operation Car Wash. In his first presidency, which ran from (*) 2003 to 2011, this Workers' Party member introduced the Bolsa Família subsidy. In 2022 Jair Bolsonaro was succeeded by—for 10 points—what once-again president of Brazil?

A group within this party, whose name means "Broad Pond Society," was dissolved in a 2024 crackdown on factions. The underreporting of money from ticket sales led to this party's 2023 slush fund scandal. This party, whose official opposition is the Constitutional Democratic Party, has a majority in the National (*) Diet. In 2024 Shigeru Ishiba succeeded Fumio Kishida as leader of—for 10 points—what ruling party of Japan?

In 2025 the Trump administration initially denied this governor's request for aid after a series of tornadoes in March. For 10 points each—

A. Name this Republican governor who previously served as Trump's press secretary during his first term.

answer: Sarah (Elizabeth) Huckabee Sanders (or Sarah (Elizabeth) Huckabee; prompt on "Huckabee"; reject "Mike Huckabee" or "M(ichael Dale) Huckabee")

B. Sanders leads this southern state. She, like Bill Clinton, was born in its city of Hope.

answer: Arkansas (accept AR)

C. In 2023 Sanders joined other Republicans in boycotting Bud Light after it ran a promotion with this transgender actress and influencer.

answer: Dylan Mulvaney

In 2015 this woman became the first Republican senator to endorse the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan. For 10 points each—

A. Name this Republican who became a New England governor in 2025, eight years after losing her Senate seat to Maggie Hassan.

answer: Kelly (Ann) Ayotte [AY-ott]

B. Ayotte represents this most Republican-leaning state in New England, where she succeeded Chris Sununu as governor.

answer: New Hampshire (accept NH)

C. During the first Trump administration, Ayotte helped shepherd the nomination of this Supreme Court justice, who filled a seat vacated by Antonin Scalia's death.

answer: Neil (McGill) Gorsuch

[Important Bird Area]

Can I see Wolves, Millay, Afghanistan, Benet, Sweden, German Navy tossups? Thanks

In 2020 one of these animals dubbed OR-85 was spotted with a mate in Siskiyou County in northern California. These animals' EPC cells were edited with CRISPR to produce three babies named Khaleesi, (*) Romulus, and Remus that Colossal Biosciences initially claimed were "de-extincted" examples of their "dire" species. Since 1995, Yellowstone has once again been home to wild "gray" examples of—for 10 points—what large canines?

This author describes "fortunate" people who have heard a "massive sandal set on stone" at the end of a poem that says "let geese gabble and hiss." This author commanded "come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!" in the second poem of a collection that opens by describing a (*) "candle" that "burns at both ends." The sonnet "Euclid alone has looked on beauty bare" is by—for 10 points—what author of A Few Figs from Thistles?

In this country, hundreds of occupying troops died in the Salang Tunnel fire. In this country, Babrak Karmal seized power after the killing of Hafizullah Amin, both of whom helped lead its communist (*) Saur Revolution. After an invasion of this country in 1979, the U.S. boycotted the Summer Olympics in Moscow and funded mujahideen fighters. The Soviet Union invaded—for 10 points—what Central Asian nation?

A story by this author depicts the conductor Monsieur Thibault, whom people suspect to be part-feline due to his tail. A member of the Hill People sees a statue labeled "ASHING" in the "Place of the (*) Gods" in a story by this author of "The King of the Cats." Jabez Stone is defended at a trial convened by Mr. Scratch in a story by—for 10 points—what author of "By the Waters of Babylon" and "The Devil and Daniel Webster"?

The ship Fogel Grip carried settlers from this kingdom who landed near Cape Henlopen in 1638. People from this kingdom likely introduced the log cabin to the New World. In 1655 the Dutch conquered a New World colony in modern-day New (*) Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware founded for this kingdom by Peter Minuit. Fort Christina was a settlement of—for 10 points—what Scandinavian country ruled by the House of Vasa?

In the Laconia order, members of this military force were told to "be harsh" and abandon stranded people. Plan Z tried to rapidly expand this military force. It perpetrated the First and Second Happy Times. For leading this force, Karl (*) Dönitz was convicted of war crimes. This force formed units called "wolfpacks" to attack Allied shipping in the Atlantic. For 10 points—what force included the Bismarck and other ships?

answer: (Nazi) German navy (or Kriegsmarine; accept Nazi navy or navy of Nazi Germany or navy of the Third Reich; before "Plan Z," prompt on "German submarines" or "Nazi submarines")

[quizbowlchamp1]

sorry I shoulda put this in the OP but can I see Travis Scott TU and The Office TU (might've been like Michael Scott idk)

also are we gonna get an MSNCT discussion after its clear?

[Important Bird Area]

sorry I shoulda put this in the OP but can I see Travis Scott TU and The Office TU (might've been like Michael Scott idk)

A song by this artist that featured singer Kacy Hill was paired with a stop-motion music video centering on an action figure of him that also appeared on the cover of his debut album. This rapper included "90210" on the 2015 album (*) Rodeo. A giant inflatable head of this rapper appears on the cover of an album named for a Houston amusement park. For 10 points—name this artist whose album Astroworld contains "Sicko Mode."

One of these two men praises the other one for applying butter to a watermelon during a crude simulation of childbirth. After these two men deliver a number of gift baskets, they drive into a lake due to a faulty GPS. One of these men eventually succeeds the other as a (*) regional manager at Dunder Mifflin. For 10 points—name these two residents of Scranton on The Office, played by Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson.

also are we gonna get an MSNCT discussion after its clear?

In general, such a thread would likely be of limited value because of the delay (for reference, the last tournaments using the 2024 MSNCT set concluded in late February 2025).

[Important Bird Area]

For the record, we would very much welcome substantive discussion of the HSNCT (about both the merits of specific questions, and the set and tournament as a whole), in addition to requests for question text.

[quizbowlchamp1]

also are we gonna get an MSNCT discussion after its clear?

In general, such a thread would likely be of limited value because of the delay (for reference, the last tournaments using the 2024 MSNCT set concluded in late February 2025).

No worries!

Also I would love to discuss the set but I don't really have that many good opinions on account of not playing it.

[Jacksondahammerbidney]

For the record, we would very much welcome substantive discussion of the HSNCT (about both the merits of specific questions, and the set and tournament as a whole), in addition to requests for question text.

One bit of feedback that I would give for specific political parties: you should be allowed to accept word forms outright, unless a nickname form that is unique to one country is used.

The LDP question I had to protest because I used word forms outright for it, so it’s worth making sure that word forms are accepted so no incorrect neg fives, minus 5, no, incorrect, wrong, or I can’t take thats are given

[Important Bird Area]

For the record, we would very much welcome substantive discussion of the HSNCT (about both the merits of specific questions, and the set and tournament as a whole), in addition to requests for question text.

One bit of feedback that I would give for specific political parties: you should be allowed to accept word forms outright, unless a nickname form that is unique to one country is used.

The LDP question I had to protest because I used word forms outright for it, so it’s worth making sure that word forms are accepted so no incorrect neg fives, minus 5, no, incorrect, wrong, or I can’t take thats are given

In general, we avoid using "accept word forms" in our answer lines (and instead list the specific word forms that should be accepted). For this particular tossup on Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, we should have listed "Liberal Democrats" as an acceptable word form; our apologies for the oversight.

[Jacksondahammerbidney]

also can I get the subduction, willie mays, Australia music bonus, the ananias/sapphira bonus, the blues bonus, the All Progressives Congress clue (didn't remember what the answer was on that, but it was in the final packets), the FBI and the School Vouchers tu please? Thank you so much!