1. Explain the role of the pear tree in partridge ecology.

2. What is the meaning of the word 'turtle' as used to modify 'dove?'

3. Provide three recipes from classic French cuisine (Escoffier, Brillat-Savarin, Julia Child) utilizing imported poultry or poultry products.

4. Some sing the line 'four calling birds'; others sing it 'four colley birds.' Which is correct?

Defend your answer.

5. Give the correct weight for five rings of 24K gold in the following measures:

a) troy

b) U.S. standard

c) metric

d) Ghanaian

e) Thai

6. Give the formula for converting the proteins found in the eggs of geese to the chemical element gold (Au). (Turn in all calculations with your blue book.)

7. Describe, with drawings, the anatomy and mechanics of a swan's swimming capability.

8. Name the eight dairy capitols of the U.S., and their 2007 Miss Dairy Industry contenders.

9. Compose a close harmony motet for nine wind instruments.

10. Compare and contrast the styles of ten contemporary jazz and/or rock drummers. Be brief.

11. Choreograph a ballet for eleven female performers, to be set to your answer to Q. 9.

12. Cite the times of gold medalists in the high hurdles for the last twelve Olympic Games.

Fewer than three correct answers: Nothing but lumps of coal in your stocking. (Actually, considering today's fuel prices, that's not such a bad deal.)

Four to eight correct answers: Ipods and GameBoys for all!

Nine to 12 correct answers: You got it! The 10-speed roadbike...er...the black and white pony?...OK, OK, the red Mercedes!

Deck us all with Boston Charlie (Walla Walla, Wash. and Kalamazoo) at 234 River Road, 633-2978, jocam@midcoast.com.

This column appears in the Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, the Wiscasset News-paper, and at www.Edgecomb.org.