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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 15 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
RedHook13 star


player avatar
Here's the original. My first quiz on FunTrivia

https://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?id=292692

Reply #281. Sep 02 19, 9:12 AM
spanishliz


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

I'd like to see a proof of concept for this one before it becomes a contract, I think. Might be difficult to do whilst still fulfilling all the crossword requirements.

Reply #282. Sep 02 19, 11:13 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
You're right, Liz. I misread the contract as being a quiz rather than a crossword. A crossword where all the answers start with D would probably also have many of them end with D. I suppose one might have a crossword with all answers starting and ending with S because of plurals, but other letters would be tough.

Reply #283. Sep 02 19, 12:22 PM
spanishliz


player avatar
Even using S would be tough, for words longer than three letters, I think.

Reply #284. Sep 02 19, 2:16 PM
bernie73 star


player avatar
Here's the mirror universe version of Contract #91

https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6655

Reply #285. Sep 02 19, 2:21 PM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
When I get a spare moment, I might toy with crossword concept, every answer starting with the same letter, though to be successful, it may require the words to start with a vowel such as A or E

Reply #286. Sep 02 19, 7:51 PM
CmdrK star


player avatar
I would like to claim Contract #106: Write a crossword puzzle that has one of the following letters--A, E, I, O, U--completely absent in the answers. (by Bernie73). Mine has No Is.

https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6690

For the next contract I propose a quiz on the subject of "grateful dead" from literature or folklore, not the rock band.

Reply #287. Sep 03 19, 11:41 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
I should clarify for my contract 102 that your quiz can be in a subcategory, but that subcategory would be part of a top-level category that has fewer than 5,000 quizzes.

Reply #288. Sep 03 19, 6:19 PM
RedHook13 star


player avatar
I'd like to claim Contract #99 - Create a quiz or a crossword puzzle with a title that includes the words "Doctor" or "Doctors". The theme of your creation should relate to "Doctor" or "Doctors" in some meaningful way.

https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Television/Do-these-Doctors-Make-House-Calls-398774.html

New Contract: Compose a Photo quiz in the Sci/Tech subcategory, Stars. The quiz must be about one or more individual stars and not on the constellations.

Reply #289. Sep 04 19, 5:24 PM
CmdrK star


player avatar
Looks like my claim on #106 got overlooked.

Reply #290. Sep 07 19, 12:52 PM
kyleisalive


player avatar
Sorry! It's been a busy few days; I thought I already got it.

Reply #291. Sep 07 19, 1:16 PM
spanishliz


player avatar
Returning to an earlier discussion, I've managed to construct a small "proof of concept" puzzle which has every word in the grid beginning with the letter E. Couldn't quite keep it symmetrical, but it can be done for that letter at least.

Reply #292. Sep 09 19, 1:55 PM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
Awesome effort Liz. I had tried to keep it symmetrical, using the letter E, but gave up in frustration

Reply #293. Sep 10 19, 12:44 AM
Kankurette star


player avatar
I'd like to claim Contract 109. The game title I chose was 'Super Mario World' and the category was Sports: https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Sports/Super-Mario-World-398821.html

I've got a similar challenge: write a quiz named after a film, but it must NOT be in the Movies category.

Reply #294. Sep 10 19, 5:49 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
I will claim Contract #102 - 11 points: Create a Match Quiz in a top-level category in which there are currently fewer than 5,000 quizzes online. (by Bernie73)

https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/Celebrities/When-the-Man-Comes-Around-398862.html

Celebrities had, before this one, 3275 quizzes


Reply #295. Sep 14 19, 11:47 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
New contract

Create a quiz in any category. The title must be two words using the first word of any two team names on this site.

Reply #296. Sep 14 19, 11:58 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
A few questions to clarify the new contract.

First I assume includes articles?
What about a number in number form, such as "12"? Or a symbol such as "&"?

Reply #297. Sep 15 19, 5:48 AM
pollucci19 star


player avatar
Yes and Yes. You could title your "The The"

Reply #298. Sep 15 19, 6:35 AM
bernie73 star


player avatar
That sounds like a challenge. :) Challenge accepted.

Reply #299. Sep 15 19, 7:20 AM
1nn1


player avatar
I wouls like to claim Contract #107 : Write a crossword, any size, any category (except General) but every answer must contain the letter "P". (by Pollucci19)

https://www.funtrivia.com/crossword/play.cfm?gid=6697

New Challenge. Construct a crossword using a country other than your own as a theme. The country name should appear in the title.

Reply #300. Sep 15 19, 10:54 PM


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