Extra! quiz held in Timaru

ASHBURTON Intermediate pupils brainstormed their way into first place at the Otago

Daily Times Extra! Central South Island years 7 and 8 quiz last night.

Matthew Wong, Sam Orr and Amelie DickRobertson answered 95 out of 100 questions correctly during the evening’s event, held at Timaru Boys’ High School.

Matthew said the trio had been ‘‘quite surprised’’ to find themselves in first place partway through the quiz, competing against 35 other teams from around the region.

However, with a few practices under their belts and a track record for gaining a placing in previous quizzes, the team was well prepared to win the event, he said.

Gleniti No 2 came in second on 90 points, followed by Grantlea Downs School on 89.

The intermediate competition followed the years 5 and 6 quiz held earlier in the day, which was won by Temuka Primary.

Thirtytwo teams from around the Central South Island gathered to show off their current events knowledge, with the Temuka No 1 team of Brylee Crawford, Marissa Shannon and Zoe Spillane answering 93 of 100 questions correctly.

The primaryage quiz was a close competition with Gleniti No 2 coming in second with 91 points, while their schoolmates in Gleniti No 1 took third place just one point behind.

Questions covered world politics including American President Donald Trump, the America’s Cup and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as New Zealand celebrities, including pop musician Lorde and canoeist Lisa Carrington, and a quiz on world flags.

The region’s years 9 and 10 teams are set to compete at Timaru Boys’ High School this afternoon.

The event was run by the

Otago Daily Times, through Extra!, its monthly Newspapers in Education publication for primary, intermediate and junior secondary school pupils.

PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN Nick me! Dorie Qchool pupils (from left) Daniel Dolan (11), Brianna Qloper (12) and Billie Qurridge (13) raise their hands in answer to a question during the quickfire quiz section of the Otago Daily Times Extra! Central Qouth Island years 7 and 8...

PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN In to win . . . Temuka Nrimary pupils (from left) Brylee Crawford, Marrisa Qhannon and aoe Qpillane (all 11) took first placein the years 5 and 6 current events quiz.

PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN Thinking . . . Ashsurton Borough 1 team memsers (from left) Ashleigh Clarke, Hese Gormly and Glora Massih (all 10) take part in the current events quiz.

PHOTO: ALEXIA JOHNSTON Qtrike a pose . . . Making the most of some down time are (from left) Rosert McIvor (13), Ben Goldingham (13) and Harry Brokenshire (13), of Bluestone Qchool.

PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN Clued up . . . Ashsurton Intermediate pupils (from left) Matthew Wong, Qam Orr and Amelie DickRosertson (all 12) took first place in the years 7 and 8 quiz last night, answering 95 out of 100 questions correctly.

PHOTO: ALEXIA JOHNSTON Focused . . . Taking part in the event were (from left) Isla Young (12), Bronte Murney (13) and Olivia Dunn (12), of Craighead Diocesan Qchool.

PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN Ouick thinking . . . Qacred Heart pupils (from left) Qean Newlands, Maddy Holden and Anastasia Burrell (all 10) take part in the quiz.