TASK DEFINITION: In this task you will be given a text passage from a trivia quiz. You should choose the category this question belongs to from these categories: History, Science, Social Science, Fine Arts, Literature. You can only choose one category, so if in doubt, please choose the closest match.
PROBLEM: In 1999, McIlroy created an adversary for this algorithm that guarantees that it will run in worst-case time. Its worst-case runtime can be avoided by switching to heapsort after a certain recursion depth, a construction known as introsort. Like mergesort, it is easily parallelizable, and its runtime can be decreased by first selecting the median of the unsorted input list. It was invented by C.A.R. Hoare, and its second phase is the partition function, which splits the original list into lists of elements that are greater or less than the chosen pivot value. For 10 points, identify this divide-and-conquer sorting algorithm which runs in big O of n log n time, named for its speed.

SOLUTION: Science

PROBLEM: In one opera by this composer set in Stockholm, the fortune-teller Ulrica prophesizes that Riccardo will be killed by the next man who shakes his hand. This composer of A Masked Ball included "Va, pensiero," or the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, in an opera which details the exile of the Jews from Babylon, Nabucco. In addition to the drinking song "Libiamo ne' lieti calici" in an opera about Alfredo and Violetta, this composer wrote an opera which sees the Duke of Mantua sing "La donna e mobile" and another opera about an Egyptian princess. For 10 points, name this Italian composer of Rigoletto, La traviata, and Aida.

SOLUTION: Fine Arts

PROBLEM: One outstanding article from this agreement that had failed to be ratified dealt with trade in the West Indies. Less notable results from this agreement include the prohibition of outfitting enemies of one signatorys privateers, while a more notable result was compensation for depredation against American shipping. France held that it violated a 1778 agreement, which led to undeclared naval war. The British agreed to evacuate the Northwest Territory, and the Americans agreed to provide for the payment of Pre-Revolution America and Great Britain. For ten points, identify this unpopular treaty, named for the author of some of the Federalist Papers and a Chief Justice.

SOLUTION:
History