What would motivate you to excel on this week's quiz? Threats of nuclear annihilation, in the style of North Korea's propaganda machine? Shoves, kicks, and slurs, à la Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice? Me, I'm more of a positive reinforcement kind of guy. So before you click on "Let's Get Started," let me just say this: I don't know you personally, but I believe in you. You're going to do great.

Question 1 of 12

Prime Minister Najib Razak dissolved parliament on Wednesday, paving the way for elections that may end 56 years of his coalition's rule in what country?

Razak will go up against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in what experts predict will be a close race.

Question 2 of 12

According to a new survey, more than 28,000 of what have mysteriously disappeared from maps of China since the 1990s?

Only 22,909 rivers—less than half once found in China—apparently remain. The loss is believed to be a result of ill-advised development projects.

Question 3 of 12

Maria Belen Chapur, an Argentine journalist, raised eyebrows this week with her surprise appearance where?

Chapur is the woman who broke up Sanford's marriage in 2009 while he claimed to be "hiking the Appalachian Trail."

Question 4 of 12

Samoa Air this week became the world's first airline to charge passengers fares based directly on what?

As a result of Samoa's obesity problem, passengers will be weighed at airport scales to learn how much their seat will cost.

Question 5 of 12

"Erasure parties" were among the offenses reported in a grand jury indictment handed down in Atlanta on Friday. What allegedly happened at these parties?

Teachers involved in the Atlanta public school scandal allegedly changed the answers on students' standardized tests to boost scores.

Question 6 of 12

According to new research from Wales, what famous Briton was repeatedly prosecuted and fined for tax evasion and hoarding food?

Researchers argue that Shakespeare the hoarder and tax-evader was "redacted from history so that Shakespeare the creative genius could be born."

Question 7 of 12

NBC confirmed on Wednesday that Jimmy Fallon will replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show. In comparing the news to NBC's previous attempt at replacing him, what did Leno say was different about this time?

"I've kept it No. 1 for about 90 percent of my term here, and I would like to see Jimmy keep it at No. 1, which I'm sure he will," he added.

Question 8 of 12

According to one inmate's defense attorney, what is now true of about 78 percent of the detainees at Guantánamo prison?

While U.S. officials' estimates are lower, Shaker Aamer told his lawyer that around 130 of the 166 detainees are now striking, and some are being force-fed through their noses.

Question 9 of 12

Mally was confiscated and quarantined by German authorities last Thursday upon entering the country illegally. Who is Mally?

Question 10 of 12

In terms of softness and vulnerability, what was compared to a "boiled pumpkin" in headlines this week?

Question 11 of 12

On Wednesday, the Connecticut General Assembly passed the nation's strictest laws on what issue?

Besides banning assault rifles and requiring background checks, the bill in Sandy Hook's home state will create the first statewide registry of gun-crime violators.

Question 12 of 12

Researchers at U.C.-Santa Cruz have broken new ground by training a sea lion called Ronan to do what?

Ronan is the first (non-human) mammal to demonstrate a sense of rhythm.

You got 8 out of 12 answers correct in 20 minutes 30 seconds.