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Subject: The Quiz and Crossword Contracts

Posted by: WesleyCrusher
Date: May 01 19

Sometimes a throwaway joke can inspire an idea. When explaining to a newer author how to best deal with challenge requirements in the edit process I mentioned, jokingly, that they had only become an issue since we had tasks like "Write a Fill the Blank quiz in a subcategory of Sci/Tech that you have exactly one quiz ranked worse than 50,000 in, featuring the name of a deceased actor from Bhutan in the title, using all 26 letters in the alphabet in each question and writing the info in limerick form". Then, about 20 minutes later, I was struck by the realization that, if this task were posted in the Lounge, someone would probably actually do it, sooner or later.

And that means we can make a game out of it, right?

So let's get creative - both in setting tasks and in solving them. Here are the current ten tasks:

Contract #312 - 22 points: Write a classic style quiz or photo quiz in the History category on the history of any one country that does not already have a history quiz on FT. (by BigTriviaDawg)
Contract #318 - 16 points: Write a quiz for the Sub-Sets Challenge. (by Kyleisalive)
Contract #320 - 14 points: Write a photo quiz about coronations. At least one question must be FITB, and one question 50/50. (by Reedy)
Contract #325 - 9 points: Write a quiz about Adrien Brody. (by VBookWorm)
Contract #328 - 6 points: Write a quiz about a Russian television series of your choice. (by VBookWorm)
Contract #329 - 5 points: Write a classification quiz where the categories are all related to ducks but are not in the animal or science categories. (by Ilona_Ritter)
Contract #330 - 4 points: Write a 15-question quiz with exactly six words in the title, without using the letter 'e' in the title. At least three questions must be FITB, and two T/F-Y/N questions. (by Reedy)
Contract #331 - 3 points: Create a crossword on the history of any country with no more than 20% fillers. (by Sam388)
Contract #332 - 2 points: Write a quiz containing the word 'Pizza' in its title that is exactly 15 questions long and is neither in Food (Hobbies), Sci/Tech, nor World. The quiz can be either a Photo Quiz or a Photo-Match Quiz. (by Ilona_Ritter)
Contract #333 - 1 point: Using COVID-19 as an example, write a quiz about epidemics that changed the course of history. (by 1nn1)


Once you have picked a task and written, please submit it with the entire contract stipulation (including the number) in the note to the editor.

Wait for the quiz to go online, then report it here to claim the contract. If it's good, you'll receive the task's point value for the leaderboard AND you get to set up a new contract, entirely of your choosing. Come up with an evilly convoluted challenge, set up an easy one in the hopes of it being snatched quickly or just use the opportunity to make someone write a quiz about THAT ONE topic you always wanted to play but never got the chance as all nineteen online entries about it are yours... anything goes as long as it is possible. ("Write a match quiz in which every answer is a pangram" would not work - answers that long would not be accepted in the format). You must provide a new contract stipulation in the same post as your claim or the claim is invalid.

Every time a new contract goes up, all others increase in value by one point. Thus, there will always be ten options and after the starting phase in which scores are a bit on the low side, there will be always be a task (the oldest one) worth at least 10, and possibly considerably more if no one has taken it for a while. Thus, the longer a contract sits there (and thus the harder it presumably is to fill), the more lucrative it will become. And at some point, even writing that Sci/Tech quiz named after a dead Bhutanese actor will sound like a really enticing proposition...

You can finish any unfinished quizzes/crosswords to fill a contract, no need to make a new template, as long as the template was never submitted by the time the contract went up. You can't claim your own contracts of course, although authors whose contracts go all too high in value are encouraged to prove that it CAN be done.

There is no reserving in this game - you need to be the first to claim a contract, by actually fulfilling it with a quiz that meets the requirement. There's also no double-dipping - if you submit a quiz, you fill one and only one contract with it (if it qualifies for more than one, you must indicate which one you want - it'll probably be the higher score).

Yes this counts for Pangalactic and while it is probably not the best idea to advertise what you are working on (someone else might feel encouraged to steal it from under your nose), bluffing and other tactics are perfectly legit in this game. The only thing we don't want to see is collusion - so don't post a contract specifically tailored to your best buddy.

As some authors may wish to request clarifications for a contract by personal message (to not immediately alert anyone to the fact they're working on), we ask that anyone who answers such a clarification request post the answer to the thread as well while preserving anonymity, so that everyone is on the same page regarding a specific task.

Also, importantly, please remember the editors are under no obligation to check your entry for compliance with the task. You will find that most are willing to send it back for fixes if they find an obvious, easily fixed, mismatch, but there are no guarantees. If your entry only almost qualifies and goes online, well, you have a good quiz online and a second opportunity to work on the contract, possibly even for a higher score.

And now have fun!

LEADERBOARD

bernie73 - 683 points
1nn1 - 411 points
RedHook13 - 257 points
leith90 - 236 points
Kankurette - 205 points
psnz - 183 points
reedy - 151 points
ramonesrule - 140 points
LadyNym - 107 points
zorba_scank - 78 points
Kyleisalive - 77 points
windrush - 68 points
Ilona_Ritter - 51 points
rossian - 48 points
Pollucci19 - 44 points
Lpez - 43 points
AcrylicInk - 38 points
fifiona81 - 35 points
Gracious1 - 34 points
VegemiteKid - 34 points
spanishliz - 33 points
WesleyCrusher - 26 points
CmdrK - 25 points
Saleo - 23 point
moonraker2 - 22 points
Rowena8482 - 21 points
Apathy100 - 20 points
BigTriviaDawg - 20 points
VBookWorm - 16 points
Sam388 - 9 points
Angikar - 4 points
Godwit - 4 points
Ceetee - 1 point

COMPLETED CONTRACTS
(For earlier contracts, please click here.)

Contract #301 - 1 point: Write a TRIC quiz (X, Y or Z, it doesn't matter) in a category you don't usually write in. - Bernie73
Contract #302 - 5 points: Write a quiz of any size or format in any category you like other than Celebrities. - Lpez
Contract #303 - 1 point: Create a symmetrical medium or large literature crossword focussing on a group or genre of authors, such as science fiction or the Lakes poets, or the Bloomsbury Group. The choice is up to you. No 2 letter words or IATA codes. - Psnz
Contract #304 - 5 points: Identify two words or phrases which meet these criteria: (a) 15-17 characters in length; (b) the same length; (c) connected in some significant way. Insert these words or phrases as the first and last lines of a puzzle and construct a symmetric crossword between them. No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #305 - 6 points: Write a 10 question, all multiple choice quiz on either Australian flora or fauna, then create a medium symmetric crossword on Australian flora and fauna. No two letter answers in the CW. Both Quiz and CW should have the same title. - Bernie73
Contract #306 - 8 points: Write a quiz with a title that contains the name of a country that starts and ends with the same letter. The quiz cannot go in the Geography category. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #307 - 23 points: Write a classification quiz in the Entertainment category where all answer choices end with a vowel. - Reedy
Contract #308 - 21 points: Write a quiz with "Tom Hanks" in the title in any category except for Celebrities, Movies, People, or Television. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #309 - 10 points: Write a large Religion crossword with at least 6 clues being 10 letters or longer, and at least 4 words relating to religious festivals (words can fit either or both criteria). No 2 letter words or IATA codes please. - Psnz
Contract #310 - 22 points: Construct a crossword with a least fifteen colors and then write a quiz using fifteen of the colors as names (first, last, or middle) for people (real or fictional) as the answers to the corresponding questions. - Ilona_Ritter
Contract #311 - 14 points: Write a quiz or crossword puzzle that is inspired by the work of another author on FunTrivia. - VBookWorm
Contract #313 - 13 points: Write a quiz from the "Old is New" list, using any of the 'new' quiz formats (order/label/classify), AND use an Author Challenge Title. - Bernie73
Contract #314 - 1 points: Write a quiz or crossword puzzle with a four word title where all four words begin with the same letter for either History or Humanities. Quiz must be a format other than MC. - Psnz
Contract #315 - 1 point: Construct a symmetric medium crossword puzzle whose answers do not contain any of the letters in "SKIN". No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Ceetee
Contract #316 - 5 points: Construct a symmetric medium crossword puzzle all of whose answers contain any of the letters in "SKIN". No two-letter words or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #317 - 1 point: Write a quiz or symmetrical crossword with a theme surrounding April Fools Day. - Kyleisalive
Contract #319 - 3 points: Create a symmetric medium or large crossword puzzle in which at least 60% of the clues or answers relate to loanwords commonly used in English. A minimum of six loanwords must be of Hungarian origin. No two-letter answers or IATA codes, please. - Windrush
Contract #321 - 2 points: Create a symmetrical crossword relating to important landmarks in Europe. These can be natural formations or man-made. - Psnz
Contract #322 - 9 points: Create a symmetric medium or large crossword puzzle in which at least 60% of the clues or answers relate to loanwords commonly used in English. A minimum of six loanwords must be of Italian origin. No two-letter answers or IATA codes, please. - Sam388
Contract #323 - 1 point: Construct a large symmetric crossword containing at least one word with consecutive double letters for 20 different letters (or more) of the English alphabet. The crossword title must include "double" or a variant of the word, such as "doubling." Please, no two-letter words, Roman numerals or IATA codes. - Leith90
Contract #324 (1) (2) - 3 points: Construct TWO crosswords, one large and one medium, to submit to the Brain Teasers category. Both puzzles should be in different sub-cats (eg, drop or add a letter, anagrams, cryptic etc) and the titles should reflect that they are a pair. Grids must be symmetrical with no two-letter words, IATA codes or Roman numerals please. - Psnz
Contract #326 - 2 points: Write a quiz that is meant to satisfy the Author's Gallery monthly challenge for at least one requirement. - VBookWorm
Contract #327 (1) (2) (3) - 6 points: Create a set of THREE linked crosswords (one small, one medium and one large) for either the Celebrities, History, Religion or Video Games categories. Titles should reflect that they are a set. Each puzzle grid must be symmetric, with no two-letter words, IATA codes or Roman numerals. - 1nn1

807 replies. On page 14 of 41 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
bernie73 star


player avatar
Here's the contract:
Contract #96 - 7 points: Create a crossword with 20 people (real or fictional) whose names are plants or flowers. (Leith90)

Here's the link to the crossword puzzle:
https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6667

Reply #261. Aug 27 19, 5:27 AM
kyleisalive


player avatar
I caught it. ;)

A couple challenges are catching my eye right now.

Reply #262. Aug 27 19, 5:55 AM
zorba_scank star
We’ll have to do some of these or Bernie will have nothing to claim for a while. :)

Reply #263. Aug 27 19, 5:15 PM
bernie73 star


player avatar
I would like to submit my quiz, "Staten Island, NY: The Forgotten Borough" for Contract #94.

Eight down, two to go. :)

For the next Contract, I propose:

Write a quiz about a place you have visited once in your life that is at least 1,000 miles away from your residence.

Reply #264. Aug 27 19, 7:12 PM
bernie73 star


player avatar
Here's the quiz:
https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Geography/Staten-Island-NY-The-Forgotten-Borough-398622.html

For this contract:
Contract #94 - 10 points: Create a photo quiz in Geography about either Staten Island, New York or Daytona Beach, Florida. (by RedHook13)

Reply #265. Aug 28 19, 5:29 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
I would like to claim the following contract:
Contract #95 - 10 points: Construct a quiz with a title that is appropriate for the 10 question quiz that follows. The only stipulation is the title cannot contain any of the letters it has in common with the category of the quiz (eg "The Lion King" is not going to fit in Movies, Animals...). (by 1nn1)

With my quiz "City Mix-up"
https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/General/City-Mix-up-398625.html

For the next contract, I propose:
Create a crossword puzzle, in any size or category, that includes at least 12 words that start with the letter Q.

Reply #266. Aug 29 19, 5:14 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
I would like to claim the following contract:
Contract #97 - 9 points: Write a quiz about your favourite sports team. It can be any sport: football/soccer, basketball, American football, etc. (by Kankurette)

for my quiz "Why, Who's On the Gridiron!"
https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Sports/Why-Whos-On-the-Gridiron-398641.html

For my next contract, I propose:
Write a crossword puzzle that has one of the following letters--A, E, I, O, U--completely absent in the answers.

Reply #267. Aug 30 19, 9:33 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
Does this qualify as a reset?

Well, I've done what I can. The rest of you will have to carry the contracts forward from here. :) I would encourage you to complete the 90-something contracts before Contract 100 and Contract 100 before the ones starting with 101, so that Contracts 51-100 can be placed in a nice package similar to contracts 1-50.

What have I learned from this activity? The quiz and crossword puzzle contracts are a really good idea and Wes and Kyle should be greatly thanked for it. Also, I think the contracts with one or two specific requirements are more user-friendly than the ones with many. That's what I tried with the contracts I posed in this last batch.

I will still check what new contracts come in and offer comments and questions, but I think I will take a break from trying to claim any more until my current ten are all off of the table.

Reply #268. Aug 30 19, 9:39 AM
spanishliz


player avatar
I'm working on one of these (without much success so far), and really wish to commend Bernie on his perseverance.

Reply #269. Aug 30 19, 10:42 AM
kyleisalive


player avatar
Bernie has achieved a pretty amazing feat for sure.

I've started a template to put myself on the board.

Reply #270. Aug 30 19, 5:31 PM
windrush star


player avatar
I've submitted a crossword, but there is a queue. As I understand it, I can't claim a commission till it's online, is that right?

Reply #271. Sep 01 19, 6:13 AM
kyleisalive


player avatar
For these Contracts, when your submission goes online and you post it here you’ll be able to send in your own Contract. I’ll do all the point tallying. :)

Reply #272. Sep 01 19, 6:28 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
I'd like to claim Contract #105 - 2 points: Create a crossword puzzle, in any size or category, that includes at least 12 words that start with the letter Q

https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6681

Thanks Bernie... Music Box 52 has 18 answers starting with Q

Reply #273. Sep 01 19, 7:23 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
New contract: Write a crossword, any size, any category (except general) but every answer must contain the letter "P"

Reply #274. Sep 01 19, 7:24 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
I like that idea for the new contract!

I just noticed a small typo for Contract 90 when I wrote it. It should say "at least 80%". That could be even tougher if someone tried to have exactly 80%.

Reply #275. Sep 01 19, 8:29 PM
windrush star


player avatar
I'd like to claim contract #90, Fictional Places Crossword
Contract #90 - 18 points: Create a crossword puzzle where at 80% of the answers fit the theme of fictional places. (by Bernie73)

https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6687

Give me a moment to think about a new contract.

Reply #276. Sep 02 19, 4:04 AM
windrush star


player avatar
Forgive the lack of originality. The idea seems sound, so:

New contract: Write a crossword, any size, any category (except general) but every answer must contain the letter D

Reply #277. Sep 02 19, 4:06 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
Interesting challenge. I suppose if you wanted to "kick it up a notch", you could make all the answers start with D.

Reply #278. Sep 02 19, 4:45 AM
RedHook13 star


player avatar
I'd like to claim Contract #103 - Look at the first item you submitted to the editors (quiz or crossword puzzle) you wrote for FunTrivia. Create a new item utilizing the same general theme but altering the presentation format in some way.

https://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?id=398764

New contract: Write a 10-question quiz using any video game title as your quiz' title, but the quiz can not be about the video game itself. It must be written in a category other than video games.

Reply #279. Sep 02 19, 6:21 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
Interesting quiz, RedHook. What did you change from the original?

Reply #280. Sep 02 19, 8:10 AM


807 replies. On page 14 of 41 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41
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