Questions about the EQC 2009

We get questions about the EQC 2009. Here the answers to some questions by Steven De Ceuster, IQA Western Europe.

Program additional quizzes?

Steven: "The additional quizzes are not published on the EQC website because they are not part of the official program and are not guaranteed. These are made by volunteers and can be added / deleted / changed at the very last moment. They are the initiatives of individuals with as sole goal to entertain the quiz players non-stop, at no extra charge.

So I would say the schedule on the EQC is correct for the official program, which is the only part under the responsibility of the IQA.

On this moment there are: the Music Quiz; Mythology mini-quiz; Rinus Uijl Memorial mini-quiz; Cricket-scoring General Knowledge Quiz; a Americana Quiz: and a Asia Quiz "

What are the rules of the National - and Aspirational teams?

Steven: "This is an oral quiz between 2 teams that qualified through the quiz on Friday evening (and as such of 4 players each). It consists of 20 categories of 3 questions each. The title of the category can make clear what the questions will be about (eg ‘French literature’) but can also more cryptic (eg something like ‘Linked by a First Name’). Each team will in turn pick a category. To make it fair one team will pick first, then another team will pick 2nd and 3th, the first team will pick 4th and 5th and so on.

If a team answers a question correctly they are awarded points (2 points during the first 10 categories, 3 points during the last 10 categories). If a team fails to answer or answers incorrectly, the other team can try to answer. If correct, they get the points. Irrespective of the result of the first question, the team that originally picked the category will now try to answer question 2.

The first 8 national teams in the qualifying quiz on Friday will qualify themselves for these semi-final quizzes, as well as the four highest scoring non-national teams."

What nationalities have team members?

"It seems obvious that a for example Dutch national team is solely composed of people of Dutch nationality.

In the Aspirational Cup, Pairs Quiz, Team Quiz and all unofficial quizzes, the teams can be composed of people from different countries."

The general rules are?

"The individual and pairs quiz are written tests of knowlegde, divided into separate rounds. The question and answer sheets will be distributed at the start of each round. Additional pictures are included on the Q&A pages and appropriate music tracks are played once.

At the national qualifier quiz and the team quiz, which are played by teams of 4 players each, the questions are read (in English) and a summary of the question is projected on the overhead screen. Pictures are also displayed on the screen. Appropriate music tracks are played once.

The score a point the answer needs to be phonetically correct. It is a test of knowlegde, not of spelling. The decision whether an answer is accepted lies with the IQA judges present at the quiz. Their decision is final. If necessary the judges will check alternatives answers. Querries after the end of the quiz will in no way affect the result of the quiz.

Questions can be answered in English or in any language of the participating countries. These languages include Norwegian (Bokmål), Dutch, German, Finnish, Estonian, Danish and Hungarian.

Unless otherwise stated, if the name of the person is asked, it is sufficient to answer with the surname, even if that surname would be a common name like Jones or Müller. If the first name is answered too and it is incorrect then the entire answer is incorrect. Exceptions are the names of kings, popes, etc where the name plus the number or byname is required.

No half points will awarded.

The use of external aids such as cell phones, calculators, calendars, etc is strictly forbidden.