This post is not trivial

I just got back from a Quiz Bowl meet in Minnetonka, at which Armstrong competed and David and Mr. Quinn were moderators. In my Quiz Bowl withdrawal, I made the decision to try and become a question writer for NAQT--I'll share with you both my favorite question from the meet tonight and a question I just wrote.

A quick lesson on NAQT questions: The question is divided into two parts, before and after the "power mark" (shown as an asterisk). If you answer the question before the power mark, you are awarded an additional 5 points.

1. After his mother claimed that he was conceived immaculately, this character tracked down his father who manipulated him into giving up a (*) kidney. He later became a parapeligic, but was miraculously healed by a plane crash. For 10 points--name this character on Lost.

2. At the age of 21, Neil was living in a squat in London, and at 28 he is still homeless and battling mental illness. At age (*) 7, John is seen singing “Waltzing Matilda” in Latin and by 49 is has been elected to the Queen’s Counsel. For 10 points—name this British series of documentary films that share their name with a brand of lemon-lime soda.

Answers to follow.