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Newton Civics Challenge – Format & Rules

Format (subject to change)

The Civics Challenge will consist of 5 rounds of questions followed by a final, high-stakes round.  All teams continue to participate through all the rounds.  Scores will be tallied at the end of each round, and the winners will be determined by the highest scores at the end of all rounds.  The event should take about 2 hours, including some breaks for refreshments.

Questions will take the form of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, open response, or matching.

1st round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
Matching round on a special topic for 2022 (more info coming soon)
  • 10-15 items to match
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
2nd round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer
Picture round
  • Teams identify the person, place or thing shown in each picture
  • 2 points per correct answer, no penalty for incorrect answer

Break

3rd round
  • 10-12 questions on various topics
  • Teams choose point value from 1 to 5 to wager for each question.
  • Points are earned for correct answers and deducted for incorrect answers
Final, high-stakes round
  • 2 to 4 open response questions
  • Teams wager between 2 and 10 points for each question
  • If the team answers correctly, it earns the points wagered.  If the answer is incorrect, the team loses half the points wagered.

Rules

  1. Adults and students from the age of eighth grade and above are eligible to participate.
  2. Teams will consist of up to 4 players.
  3. Each question will be read by the moderator.  All responses will be written on the answer sheet provided at the beginning of the round.
  4. Answer sheets will be submitted at the end of each round by the team’s designated “runner” to a designated League volunteer, where the answers will be reviewed and scored.
  5. Judges will be available to review the answers in the event there is a dispute over the correctness of a team’s answer.
  6. The tally of all scores will be announced before the beginning of each round and at the end of the final round.
  7. The team with the most points at the end of all rounds is the winner.
  8. No cell phones will be permitted during the questioning period.  Cell phone use is allowed during breaks.

Additional Information