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Members Only > AMA Member Challenge Archive
Answers to AMA Member Challenge
February 2008
1.Through a complex series of computer frauds and falsification of records, futures trader Jérôme Kerviel caused which large European bank to lose over $7 billion?
- Credit Suisse
- Deutsche Bank
- Banco de España
- Société Générale
Correct answer: Société Générale. Kerviel, a low-level employee of the bank, used his knowledge of the bank’s risk-control software to place virtual bets on stock market indexes. Some experts believe Société Générale losses may have contributed to the steep declines experienced by Asian and U.S. stock markets.
2. Advertisers hope to tackle their competition with the most expensive TV commercials of the year--$2.7 million for a 30-second spot—during the broadcast of what all-American event?
- American Idol finale
- Presidential inauguration
- Super Bowl
- Academy Awards
Correct answer: Super Bowl. Although the cost of a 30-minute spot was up slightly from last year’s $2.6 million, advertisers including GM, Pepsi, and Victoria’s Secret were eager to participate. According to CNN.com, the possible cancellation of this year’s Oscar ceremony due to the ongoing writers’ strike could fuel even greater demand for Super Bowl commercials this year.
3. Which lucky retailer just took a big gulp out of Subway’s status by knocking the sandwich giant out of the #1 spot on “Entrepreneur’s” Franchise 500 list?
- 7-Eleven
- Dunkin’ Donuts
- Friendly’s
- CVS
Correct answer: 7-Eleven. Although the company declared bankruptcy in 1991, it’s back in a big way, with 5,580 franchises in the U.S. and 25,062 abroad.
4. 30,000 savvy Americans have reserved the U.S. version of what tiny car, already popular in Europe, that gets 40 miles per gallon?
- Smart Fortwo
- Mini Cooper
- Petite Porsche
- Cadillac Bébé
Correct answer: Smart Fortwo. Daimler’s newly designed 8 feet, 8 inches long American version of the Smart Car has three cylinders, 71 horsepower, seats two, and has a base price of $11,590. The Smart Fortwo Passion convertible starts at $16,950.
5. Call it strange, but 5 of last year’s 10 best-selling novels in Japan were written on what device?
- Typewriter
- Cell phone
- i-Pod
- Calculator
Correct answer: Cell phone. This new literary subgenre is comprised mostly of love stories, written in the first person by young women. Although the writers are not paid for their work, which they upload on various specialized Websites, some of the novels have successfully made the transition to hardcover versions.
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