NOTES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF QUESTION PERSONS

(To be read in conjunction with the rules)

1. It is expected that the Question Person (QP), officials and players taking part in a match will be familiar with the rules of the MQL

2. Whenever possible, the QP should read through the questions just prior to the match after
a) ascertaining that the questions are for the match intended and not for any match
b) allowing each captain to check the seals of the envelope
Should any anomalies be found, e.g. in the number of rounds, missing answers etc. this should be reported to the captains and an agreement on how to proceed to be arranged. Such agreements, under normal circumstances, would be binding on both teams.

3. A player should commence to answer his/her own question within 10 seconds of the completion of the question. He/she may be allowed to continue after ten seconds to complete an answer, but if obviously taking too long, may be told to finish by the QP at the QP's discretion.
For bonus and pass over questions, the above note applies but the time limit is five seconds.
If clarification is requested by any player, the clock should be stopped and restarted after such has been given.

4. One point should be given for a correct answer given after ten seconds, but before fifteen seconds, by the original answerer. Should two or more players answer, the QP will allot points (or otherwise) on the first answer heard.

5. If one point only is awarded, the question is "dead" and must not be passed to the other team.

6. If no points are awarded to the original team asked, the question must be passed over, despite the original reply being close to the correct answer. For this reason, the QP should refrain wherever possible for comment such as "a little more" or "go on", when remarks can indicate to the other side that the answer, although incorrect or sufficient, is quite close. Silence on the part of the QP should indicate to the answerer that the answer should be developed.

7. When spelling questions are involved, the QP must allow an incorrect spelling to be completed before passing the question, and should make no comment before so doing.

8. a) The QP can only accept an answer which substantially corresponds to that on the paper, even if he/she is quite sure that a different answer given is correct. If the first team give a different answer, the question should be passed without comment or discussion to the other team. When both teams have attempted the question, the QP should read out the "correct" answer and award points only for that answer.
b) If either team is dissatisfied, the two captains should be asked to agree on how the points should be awarded. If they cannot agree, the QP's decision must stand. Aggrieved teams should be reminded of the protest procedure in Rule 32.

9. A surname will normally be acceptable as an answer to a question, unless the setter has clearly indicated that further name or description is required.

10. No matter how detailed rules and note for guidance may be, occasions will arise which will require the QP to use some discretion. Whenever possible, the QP should consult the team captains before making a decision. The watchword should be impartiality.

SETTING OF QUESTIONS - NOTES FOR GUIDANCE

To assist teams in the completion of sets of questions, the following guidelines are given.

Firstly, the system of question control, printing and distribution should be understood. Each team is required by the Rules to provide at least one set of questions and answers: a set consists of eight rounds of eight questions each round, plus a minimum of three spare questions at the end.

This set is delivered in a sealed envelope to the General Secretary of your League. The questions are then scrutinised by a vetting committee for correctness of answers and general suitability.

The vetting committee then forwards the questions to the typists and printers, from whom they are returned to a non-playing question distributor for distribution to the various teams.

To facilitate the work of the vetting committees and to improve the standard of quizzes, the following notes must be read carefully and borne in mind.

1. Set papers in good time. If left to the last minute they are often found to contain errors and this inevitably leads to an imbalance.

2. If possible, please produce the questions electronically and send them on floppy disc. If this is not possible, type the questions and answers. If this too is not possible, and the set is hand written, USE CAPITAL LETTERS.

3. Check each question/answer against an irrefutable reference. An appended list of references is extremely useful.

4. Questions should be evenly balanced both as regards topic and severity. This can be checked by playing the questions as a friendly prior to submission.

5. When setting out the paper, use the existing format of the league sets, i.e. at the top of the paper, indicate the name of the setting team, head each round with a round number, and number the questions 1a through 4b. If producing the sets on a PC, use font Arial, and create each round of questions as a three column by eight row table.

6. Questions that contain an answer that may change should be avoided, e.g. naming the manager of a football team without specifying a particular date.

7. Questions containing YES/NO answers must not be used

8. Avoid questions with long-winded answers. Questions with one word answers are usually the most suitable.

9. Do not use trick questions.

10. Do not copy sets directly from published quiz books, or old sets.

11. Pay close attention to the phrasing of questions to ensure that there is only one possible answer. For example, there are a number of equally correct answers to the question "Where are the Karakorams?" but there is only one possible answer to the question, "Of which mountain range are the Karakorams a part?"

12. Questions requiring multi-part answers must not be set. This also includes questions involving the meaning of abbreviations.

13. Questions involving innovations brought about by Act of Parliament need consideration, as often the Act is passed in a year before it is implemented. The question should make clear which is required.