Big thanks to Jacqueline Desrosiers  spontaneous problem writer!!!!!

 

Verbal Spontaneous Problem: Art Imitates Real Life

 

A. When the team members enter the room, tell them “This is a verbal problem.  You will have one minute to select the five team members who will compete.  The others may sit in these seats and watch (indicate the seats) or leave the room.  They may not assist in solving the problem and may not talk at any time.”

 

B. Judges read to team:

 

1.   You will have 1 minute to think and 3 minutes to respond.  Questions will count against your 1 minute think time.  You may ask the judge questions but may not talk to each other at any time. 

 

2.   You will receive 1 point for each common response and 3 points for each creative response.

 

3.   A number has been placed before you.  Your team is to take turns in numerical sequence (team member #1, team member #2, team member #3, team member #4, team member #5).  You may not skip your turn, or repeat, or pass.  If one member of the team is stuck, the team is stuck. 

 

4.   Once time begins, it will not be stopped.  If a judge asks you to repeat or clarify your answer, it will count against your time.  Please speak loudly and clearly. 

 

5.   Some colors are named after real things like fire engine red or John Deere green named after the John Deere tractors.  Your problem is to make up a new color named after something in real-life that is normally that color.  For example, you might say "dollar bill green" because U.S. dollar bills are all the same color green.  (Repeat number 5.  Your problem is …”) 

 

C.    For Judges only:

 

Common responses:  grass green, sky blue, colors that are already associated with something

 

Creative responses:  glass clear, old highway gray, road sign green, things we do not necessarily associate with color or combination colors such as Dalmatian black and white

 

 

ÓJacqueline Desrosiers 2004