Notes for the guidance of question masters (updated January 14 2015)
2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes
These notes do not have the binding force of the rules of the competition. They represent the combined views of several experienced question masters and organisers and have the approval of the committee. It is hoped that these notes will be beneficial to both new and experienced question masters.
1. It is important to have balanced questions throughout the competition. For example there must not be too many scientific or sporting questions.
2. Most Questionmasters prefer to have a topic for each round but this need not be too rigid as long as the intention is made clear to the teams and audience as the contest progresses
3. Obviously it is important to have a fair balance of questions between the teams. The possibility of paired questions is one approach but this need not be done slavishly and must not give the second team to answer an advantage in anticipating the question from that asked to the first.
4. Avoid ambiguous questions and those capable of ambiguous answers.
5. Avoid questions which if wrongly answered cannot fairly be offered to the opposing side.
6. Opening rounds (1, 2, 7 & 8) should be made easier. This helps teams to relax and also gives the opportunity to have a light-hearted approach as entertainment for the audience.
7. In bible rounds remember that different denominations use different bibles (e.g. no apocrypha) and hymn books.
8. Remember to offer unanswered questions to the audience. This helps to improve the entertainment value and by allowing participation you may reduce audible whispers during the questions themselves.
9. Remember to be audible to both the contestants and the audience. Repeat a correct answer if you feel that the audience have not heard it.
10. Check the accuracy of your answers and beware of:
a. Current events rendering your answer out of date.
b. Some Trivial Pursuit questions are now out of date or are answered incorrectly.
11. If you decide to have a spelling round or question be alert to alternatives.
12. The competition is a General Knowledge contest and rounds which are too specialised MUST be avoided.
13. Sports questions are of course perfectly valid but remember that there are people who have no interest in certain sports and an entire round of one sport might be unfair.
14. Foreign language questions are usually regarded as unfair except to the extent that foreign words and phrases may have become part of normal English usage - inclusion in an accepted dictionary might indicate fairness of such questions.
15 If you make a mistake, admit it and either:
a Disallow the question and use a reserve or
b. Be fair and adjust later in the competition e.g. if you forget to offer a question to the opposition but if you do this announce your intention at the time.
16. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE COMPETITION IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN
2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes
These notes do not have the binding force of the rules of the competition. They represent the combined views of several experienced question masters and organisers and have the approval of the committee. It is hoped that these notes will be beneficial to both new and experienced question masters.
1. It is important to have balanced questions throughout the competition. For example there must not be too many scientific or sporting questions.
2. Most Questionmasters prefer to have a topic for each round but this need not be too rigid as long as the intention is made clear to the teams and audience as the contest progresses
3. Obviously it is important to have a fair balance of questions between the teams. The possibility of paired questions is one approach but this need not be done slavishly and must not give the second team to answer an advantage in anticipating the question from that asked to the first.
4. Avoid ambiguous questions and those capable of ambiguous answers.
5. Avoid questions which if wrongly answered cannot fairly be offered to the opposing side.
6. Opening rounds (1, 2, 7 & 8) should be made easier. This helps teams to relax and also gives the opportunity to have a light-hearted approach as entertainment for the audience.
7. In bible rounds remember that different denominations use different bibles (e.g. no apocrypha) and hymn books.
8. Remember to offer unanswered questions to the audience. This helps to improve the entertainment value and by allowing participation you may reduce audible whispers during the questions themselves.
9. Remember to be audible to both the contestants and the audience. Repeat a correct answer if you feel that the audience have not heard it.
10. Check the accuracy of your answers and beware of:
a. Current events rendering your answer out of date.
b. Some Trivial Pursuit questions are now out of date or are answered incorrectly.
11. If you decide to have a spelling round or question be alert to alternatives.
12. The competition is a General Knowledge contest and rounds which are too specialised MUST be avoided.
13. Sports questions are of course perfectly valid but remember that there are people who have no interest in certain sports and an entire round of one sport might be unfair.
14. Foreign language questions are usually regarded as unfair except to the extent that foreign words and phrases may have become part of normal English usage - inclusion in an accepted dictionary might indicate fairness of such questions.
15 If you make a mistake, admit it and either:
a Disallow the question and use a reserve or
b. Be fair and adjust later in the competition e.g. if you forget to offer a question to the opposition but if you do this announce your intention at the time.
16. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE COMPETITION IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN