Column: Meaningful Quiz

by Woody

 Woody’s acclaimed memoir

WOODEN & ME is available HERE at Amazon

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Quiz on Fame, Fortune and Fickleness

Good morning, readers. Time for a pop quiz inspired by what has become known as “The Charles Schulz Philosophy.”

No Googling for the answers. Ready, begin.

1 – Who is the world’s wealthiest person?

2 – Name three of the five wealthiest people in America.1Famepic

3 – Name two of the past three Super Bowl MVPs.

4 – Who was crowned Miss America in 2014?

5 – Name two of the last three Heisman Trophy winners.

6 – Name three of the 13 Nobel Prize winners from last year.

7 – Name two of the past three Oscar winners for Best Actress.

8 – Name two of the past three Oscar winners for Best Actor.

9 – Who won the Cy Young Award in the American League and National League last season?

10 – Name five Olympic Gold medalists, in any sports, from the 2012 Summer Games in London.

The correct answers are:

1 – According to Forbes’ 2015 list, Bill Gates once again ranks No. 1 on the planet with a fortune of $79.2 billion. (Carlos Slim Helu of Mexico is a close second – if $2.1 billion can be considered a small margin – at $77.1 billion.)

2 – Following Gates is Warren Buffett (No. 3 in the world) at $72.7 billion; Larry Ellison (No. 5) at $54.3 billion; Charles Koch and David Koch (tied No. 6) at $42.9 billion each; and Christy Walton (No. 8 globally) at $41.7 billion.

3 – Tom Brady, Patriots, 2015; Malcolm Smith, Seahawks, 2014; Joe Flacco, Ravens, 2013.

4 – Nina Davuluri of New York. (Half credit if you named Kira Kazantsev, also of New York, who is the reigning Miss America.)

5 – Marcus Mariota, Oregon, 2014; Jameis Winston, Florida State, 2013; Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 2012.

6 – Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi for Peace; Patrick Modinao, Literature; Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura, Physics; Eric Betzig, Stefan W. Hell and William E. Moerner, Chemistry; John O’Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser, Physiology; and Jean Tirole, Economic Sciences.

7 – Julianne Moore in Still Alice, 2014; Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine, 2013; and Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook, 2012.

8 – Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything, 2014; Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club, 2013; and Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln, 2012.

9 – Nation League: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; American League: Corey Kluber, Indians.

10 – You’ll need to Google your own Olympic answers to see if they are correct.

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Part I was surprisingly difficult, was it not, considering the questions were about the best of the best, the most famous of the famous?

The lesson learned is that newsmakers and world shapers can have a short shelf life after the applause dies. Records fall, awards tarnish, fame fades.

Now, let’s Part II. Ready, begin:

1 – Name two teachers who played vital roles in helping you become who you are today.

2 – Who can you phone at 3 a.m. for any reason.

3 – Name someone who has helped you with a move for the payment of a few slices of pizza.

4 – Who has been an MVP mentor along your life journey?

5 – Name someone who showed up without even being asked when you most needed someone to lean on.

6 – Who always had your back in high school?

7 – Name someone who is quick to pick up a check during a celebration and sure to check in on you when you are feeling low or sick.

8 – Name a person who has driven a long distance to see you, even at short notice.

9 – Who can you always trust beyond doubt to keep their word?

10 – Name someone who can turn your tears into laughter?

There are, of course, now wrong answers in Part II. Only VERY right answers.

These questions were far easier, weren’t they?

Isn’t it remarkable how the people who make the most indelible mark on our lives, and in our hearts, are not the ones with the most money or the most trophies, the most inventions or the most magazine covers.

Rather, wonderfully, the people who make a lasting impact, life’s real MVPs – Most Valuable People – are the ones who are the most friendly and most giving and most caring.

Class dismissed.

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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.

Wooden-&-Me-cover-mock-upCheck out my new memoir WOODEN & ME: Life Lessons from My Two-Decade Friendship with the Legendary Coach and Humanitarian to Help “Make Each Day Your Masterpiece”