Question: Mike Massaroli's friends frat brother's sometimes refer to him as what?

Answer: the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. <hl> Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “ the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders ” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. <hl> In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Facebook.

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “<hl> the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders <hl>” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Facebook.

Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “ <hl> the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders <hl> ” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator.


Question: What state does Bernie Sanders hail from?

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Facebook.

Answer: Vermont

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. <hl> Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. <hl> In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Facebook.

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders” for his frequent praise of the <hl> Vermont <hl> senator. In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone, a spokesman for Facebook.


Question: What is the name of the Facebook spokesman that is quoted?

Answer: Andy Stone

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. <hl> “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said Andy Stone , a spokesman for Facebook. <hl>

Ashlyn Knaur of Huntsville, Ala., recently unfollowed some friends after Mrs. Clinton’s announcement. She also removed the actress Anne Hathaway from her Instagram feed after Ms. Hathaway shared a posting supportive of Mrs. Clinton. Julie Ruby of Normal, Ill., is on the brink of unfollowing her daughter’s mother-in-law for negative comments regarding Mrs. Clinton. And John Thrasher of Cumberland, Md., lost touch with his father over his politics postings on Facebook. “The regular contact between us has been cut because of politics and social media,” Mr. Thrasher said. Mike Massaroli, from Staten Island, says that his postings are often ignored and that he is occasionally unfollowed even by his fraternity brothers, who playfully cast him off as “the dude who is voting for Bernie Sanders” for his frequent praise of the Vermont senator. In theory, Facebook’s algorithm provides for an overall better experience on the site, ranking the number of posts likely to be ignored by the user lower in the news feed. But in the realm of politics, that sometimes has the unintended consequence of engineering the political discourse on Facebook toward the user’s political leanings. “The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said <hl> Andy Stone <hl>, a spokesman for Facebook.

“The fundamental principle underpinning news feed is the more you interact with specific types of content and content from specific places, the more likely you are to continue to see” that kind of content, said <hl> Andy Stone <hl> , a spokesman for Facebook.


Question: What is the new platform on Facebook being used to share political ads by campaigns?

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

Answer: video advertising platform

<hl> But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. <hl> A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new <hl> video advertising platform <hl> to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.


Question: What is Facebook set to tap into as a revenue Stream?

Answer: intensifying political passions

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. <hl> And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. <hl> Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these <hl> intensifying political passions <hl> as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.


Question: Who is the chief strategist for Rand Paul's campaign?

Answer: Vincent Harris

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. <hl> Vincent Harris , the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. <hl> Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. <hl> Vincent Harris <hl>, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

<hl> Vincent Harris <hl> , the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president.


Question: When were Rand Paul's Facebook avatars, meme's and etc made available to his supporters?

Answer: the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. <hl> Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president . <hl> Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

But at the same time, more partisan political videos may trickle into news feeds as campaigns deploy Facebook’s new video advertising platform to reach specific groups. A video by the Clinton campaign, for instance, would probably not be targeted toward those using Mr. Cruz’s campaign logo as their avatar. And Facebook is ready to tap these intensifying political passions as a revenue stream. Some campaigns are proving particularly nimble at steering the conversation on Facebook. Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on <hl> the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president <hl>. Tagged correctly, the posts were intended to bombard others’ news feeds as well. The rise of political chatter on Facebook does not mean the site has become as polarized as Texas is red or California is blue. Some actually do use the site to stay informed about the other side.

Vincent Harris, the chief digital strategist for Senator Rand Paul’s campaign, equipped the candidate’s many followers with avatars, photographs, videos, memes and links to post on their Facebook walls on <hl> the day Mr. Paul announced that he was running for president <hl> .


Question: What was Mr. Thrashers reason for creating a list of conservative friends?

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.

Answer: to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.”

<hl> Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. <hl> “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown <hl> to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” <hl> And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.


Question: Who is Facebook's founder?

Answer: Mark Zuckerberg,

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. <hl> “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” <hl> But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, <hl> Mark Zuckerberg, <hl> said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.


Question: Who shows up in your newsfeed?

Answer: your network of friends and friends of friends

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. <hl> “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “ your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” <hl> But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “<hl> your network of friends and friends of friends <hl> who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.

“Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “ <hl> your network of friends and friends of friends <hl> who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.”


Question: Many people are politically passionate about which upcoming political race?

Answer: presidential race

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” <hl> But as the passions about the presidential race ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints. <hl>

Mr. Thrasher, who had the Facebook falling out with his father, created a separate list of conservative friends from his hometown to keep tabs on what “Republican friends were saying about the latest craze.” And Facebook counts its vast user base as evidence that it is much more than a political echo chamber. “Even if the majority of people that you’re friends with have opinions that are similar to you,” Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said last year, “your network of friends and friends of friends who you’ll hear from in your news feed is going to bring you more diverse opinions than you would have from any other type of media that you would have consumed.” But as the passions about the <hl> presidential race <hl> ratchet up and more people click the “unfollow” button, the discussion on the site tends to mimic the chatter of often-derided partisan news organizations on television, where like-minded audiences follow like-minded viewpoints.


Question: When did mastodons become extinct?

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.

Answer: 10,000 years ago

<hl> When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago , squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors. <hl>

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct <hl> 10,000 years ago <hl>, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct <hl> 10,000 years ago <hl> , squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.


Question: What else became extinct along with mastodons?

Answer: other large mammals

<hl> When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors. <hl>

When mastodons and <hl> other large mammals <hl> became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.


Question: What type of animal were mastodons?

Answer: mammals

<hl> When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors. <hl>

When mastodons and other large <hl> mammals <hl> became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.


Question: Who was one of the study's authors?

Answer: Logan Kistler

<hl> When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler , a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors. <hl>

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said <hl> Logan Kistler <hl>, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said <hl> Logan Kistler <hl> , a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.


Question: What is Logon Kistler's occupation?

Answer: molecular anthropologist

<hl> When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a molecular anthropologist at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors. <hl>

When mastodons and other large mammals became extinct 10,000 years ago, squash and gourds could have, too, said Logan Kistler, a <hl> molecular anthropologist <hl> at the University of Warwick in England and one of the study’s authors.


Question: How many runnings of the Kentucky Derby have there been?

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show.  1. Dortmund  Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice.  2. American Pharoah  Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Answer: 141

<hl> Top contenders for the 141 st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. <hl> Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the <hl> 141 <hl>st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the <hl> 141 <hl> st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times.


Question: How many points does the first ranked horse have?

Answer: 170

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. <hl> Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. <hl> He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: <hl> 170 <hl> Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1


Question: How many finishers earn points?

Answer: top four finishers

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. <hl> Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. <hl> The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the <hl> top four finishers <hl> in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1


Question: Who is the trainer of the second ranked horse?

Answer: Bob Baffert

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. <hl> Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. <hl> He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: <hl> Bob Baffert <hl> Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, Big Brown, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1


Question: Who is the first ranked horse's dad?

Answer: Big Brown

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. <hl> Like his father, Big Brown , he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. <hl> 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Top contenders for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby are listed in order of preference, with comments provided by Joe Drape and Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times. Churchill Downs recently adopted a point system to determine the Derby field, with points being earned by the top four finishers in designated prep races. The odds are from the Churchill Downs futures pool, and the records are starts-win-place-show. 1. Dortmund Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Record: 6-6-0-0 Points: 170 Odds: 6-1 J.D.: This colt gets the edge over American Pharoah for faring better in California. He has gotten better in each outing, and only illness, injury or a bad post position could slow him down. M.H.: He crushed a talented Santa Anita Derby field, winning by four and a quarter lengths. Like his father, <hl> Big Brown <hl>, he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice. 2. American Pharoah Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Victor Espinoza Record: 5-4-0-0 Points: 160 Odds: 5-1

Like his father, <hl> Big Brown <hl> , he will enter the Derby with a perfect record, making him my top choice.


Question: Who is J.D.'s first choice?

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby.  4. Carpe Diem  Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

Answer: Dortmund

<hl> J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund , before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. <hl> I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, <hl> Dortmund <hl>, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, <hl> Dortmund <hl> , before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico.


Question: Who is Carpe Diem's jockey?

Answer: John Velazquez

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. <hl> Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. <hl> He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: <hl> John Velazquez <hl> Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.


Question: What are Carpe Diem's odds to win?

Answer: 10-1

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. <hl> Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. <hl> He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: <hl> 10-1 <hl> J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.


Question: How long is the Kentucky Derby?

Answer: mile-and-a-quarter

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. <hl> He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. <hl> M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s <hl> mile-and-a-quarter <hl> distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.


Question: Who is Carpe Diem's trainer?

Answer: Todd Pletcher

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. <hl> Carpe Diem Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. <hl> He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.

J.D.: He twice finished a head behind my top choice, Dortmund, before winning the Sunland Derby in New Mexico. I’m hoping he is overlooked on Derby Day. M.H.: This speedy and improving colt showed in the Sunland that he could win with ease once free of his shadow. Of course, that will not be the case in the Derby. 4. Carpe Diem Trainer: <hl> Todd Pletcher <hl> Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 5-4-1-0 Points: 164 Odds: 10-1 J.D.: Seemingly the only real threat from the East, this colt has won races without working up much of a sweat. He is going to like the Derby’s mile-and-a-quarter distance. M.H.: He has shown that he deserves to be in the conversation with Baffert’s big guns. Still, he did not pull away from the Blue Grass Stakes field as much as I expected; Dortmund looked more dominant that day in Santa Anita.


Question: How many points does Materiality have?

5. Materiality  Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2.  6. Upstart  Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

Answer: 100

5. <hl> Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. <hl> I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

5. Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: <hl> 100 <hl> Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.


Question: Which horse won the Florida Derby?

Answer: Materiality

5. <hl> Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. <hl> I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

5. <hl> Materiality <hl> Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.


Question: Who is Afleet Alexs son?

Answer: Materiality

5. <hl> Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. <hl> I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

5. <hl> Materiality <hl> Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.


Question: What are Upstart's odds to win?

Answer: 18-1

5. Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. <hl> Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. <hl> He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

5. Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: <hl> 18-1 <hl> J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.


Question: Which horse had a fever during the weekend?

Answer: Upstart

5. Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. <hl> Upstart Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. <hl> He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.

5. Materiality Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez Record: 3-3-0-0 Points: 100 Odds: 12-1 J.D.: Materiality, the Florida Derby champion, is trying to do an awful lot in little time. I’m betting against his winning the Run for the Roses on such a small foundation. M.H.: A son of Afleet Alex, he looked impressive in staying perfect at the Florida Derby. But long odds remain: Since 1882, no horse has won the Derby without racing at 2. 6. <hl> Upstart <hl> Trainer: Rick Violette Jockey: Jose Ortiz Record: 7-3-3-1 Points: 76 Odds: 18-1 J.D.: Melissa likes this horse better than I do. He spiked a fever over the weekend and missed a workout, which is not an ideal way to head into the Derby.


Question: What team did La'el Collins formerly play for?

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

Answer: Louisiana State

<hl> The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. <hl> Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former <hl> Louisiana State <hl> offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.


Question: Was Collins named a suspect in the murder of Brittney Mills?

Answer: Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. <hl> Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills , but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. <hl> After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. <hl> Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills <hl>, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

<hl> Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills <hl> , but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her.


Question: Why did the police want to talk to La'el Collins?

Answer: police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her.

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. <hl> Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. <hl> ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the <hl> police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. <hl> After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.


Question: Was Collins ever drafted?

Answer: he went undrafted

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. <hl> After he went undrafted , Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. <hl> ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After <hl> he went undrafted <hl>, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

After <hl> he went undrafted <hl> , Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions.


Question: Who did Ed Reed sign a one-day contract with?

Answer: one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. <hl> ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens , the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002. <hl>

The Dallas Cowboys signed La’el Collins, a former Louisiana State offensive tackle who had been a projected first-round pick in last week’s N.F.L. draft until his name came up in a police investigation. Collins has never been named a suspect or person of interest in the shooting death of Brittney Mills, but the police acknowledged that they wanted to talk to him because he knew her. After he went undrafted, Collins met with the police, who said he answered all their questions. ■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a <hl> one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens <hl>, the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.

■ Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety, formally announced his retirement after signing a <hl> one-day contract with the Baltimore Ravens <hl> , the team that drafted him 24th over all in 2002.


Question: How old was the student being sought for a fatal shooting?

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

Answer: 20-year-old

<hl> A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. <hl> The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

A <hl> 20-year-old <hl> former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.


Question: Who was fatally shot?

Answer: a campus print shop director

<hl> A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. <hl> The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of <hl> a campus print shop director <hl> whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.


Question: What is the name of shooter?

Answer: Kenneth M. Stancil III

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. <hl> The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III , was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. <hl> The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, <hl> Kenneth M. Stancil III <hl>, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

The former student, <hl> Kenneth M. Stancil III <hl> , was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro.


Question: Who is he accused of killing?

Answer: Ron Lane,

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. <hl> The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. <hl> The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing <hl> Ron Lane, <hl> who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.


Question: When was Rob Lane shot?

Answer: as he arrived for his job

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. <hl> The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot as he arrived for his job Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. <hl> The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.

A 20-year-old former community college student was being sought for the fatal shooting of a campus print shop director whom he used to work under, the authorities said Monday. The former student, Kenneth M. Stancil III, was accused of killing Ron Lane, who was shot <hl> as he arrived for his job <hl> Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. The police did not release a motive for the shooting. Mr. Stancil was a third-year student at the college but it was not immediately clear when he last attended. Mr. Lane had been his work-study boss.


Question: From whom did we hear the most views about the Vietnam War?

The great achievement of “The Sympathizer” is that it gives the Vietnamese a voice and demands that we pay attention. Until now, it’s been largely a one-sided conversation — or at least that’s how it seems in American popular culture. As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists. We’ve never had a story quite like this one before. Mr. Nguyen, who teaches English and American studies at the University of Southern California, was born in Vietnam but raised in the United States. He is the author of an academic book, “Race and Resistance.” How exciting that he also writes fiction, because he has a great deal to say and a knowing, playful, deeply intelligent voice. His novel is a spy thriller, a philosophical exploration, a coming-of-age tale, the story of what it’s like to be an immigrant, to be part-Asian, to be the illegitimate child of a forbidden liaison. It’s about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that you’re not sure who you are. The story is framed as a confession addressed to a figure called the Commandant, who, it gradually becomes clear, is keeping the captain prisoner in some unknown location. (We won’t learn where or why until the book’s shattering conclusion.) But the captain’s account is less an appeal for absolution than an attempt to explain what he did and the reasons behind it. It also allows him to be, as he says, an anthropologist of Vietnamese and American culture. The story flits around, intermingling past and present, scenes from childhood with scenes from pre-fall Saigon with scenes from contemporary America, conversations spilling together, so it’s necessary to read carefully to orient yourself. The tone is set in the very first sentence. “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator confesses. “I am also a man of two minds.” That’s a point Mr. Nguyen will return to over and over again — the blessing and the curse of finding subtlety where others see certainty. As children, the narrator and two other boys, Bon and Man, swore blood brotherhood and have remained fierce friends. Bon is pro-American, a veteran of the C.I.A.-sponsored Phoenix program of assassination; he leaves Saigon with the narrator on that plane. Man is a Communist and the narrator’s handler; he stays behind. Once in Los Angeles, the narrator takes a job with his former university professor and begins a sensual affair with an older Japanese-American woman. Students of Graham Greene, whose spare, precise writing contrasts with Mr. Nguyen’s exuberant, expansive and sometimes repetitious style, will recognize in her one of Mr. Nguyen’s many sly ripostes to and upendings of “The Quiet American,” the subject of the narrator’s thesis. While the love interest in that book is an annoyingly passive cipher, the narrator’s girlfriend is a free-love feminist with trenchant views on Asian stereotyping.

Answer: American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists

The great achievement of “The Sympathizer” is that it gives the Vietnamese a voice and demands that we pay attention. Until now, it’s been largely a one-sided conversation — or at least that’s how it seems in American popular culture. <hl> As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists . <hl> We’ve never had a story quite like this one before. Mr. Nguyen, who teaches English and American studies at the University of Southern California, was born in Vietnam but raised in the United States. He is the author of an academic book, “Race and Resistance.” How exciting that he also writes fiction, because he has a great deal to say and a knowing, playful, deeply intelligent voice. His novel is a spy thriller, a philosophical exploration, a coming-of-age tale, the story of what it’s like to be an immigrant, to be part-Asian, to be the illegitimate child of a forbidden liaison. It’s about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that you’re not sure who you are. The story is framed as a confession addressed to a figure called the Commandant, who, it gradually becomes clear, is keeping the captain prisoner in some unknown location. (We won’t learn where or why until the book’s shattering conclusion.) But the captain’s account is less an appeal for absolution than an attempt to explain what he did and the reasons behind it. It also allows him to be, as he says, an anthropologist of Vietnamese and American culture. The story flits around, intermingling past and present, scenes from childhood with scenes from pre-fall Saigon with scenes from contemporary America, conversations spilling together, so it’s necessary to read carefully to orient yourself. The tone is set in the very first sentence. “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator confesses. “I am also a man of two minds.” That’s a point Mr. Nguyen will return to over and over again — the blessing and the curse of finding subtlety where others see certainty. As children, the narrator and two other boys, Bon and Man, swore blood brotherhood and have remained fierce friends. Bon is pro-American, a veteran of the C.I.A.-sponsored Phoenix program of assassination; he leaves Saigon with the narrator on that plane. Man is a Communist and the narrator’s handler; he stays behind. Once in Los Angeles, the narrator takes a job with his former university professor and begins a sensual affair with an older Japanese-American woman. Students of Graham Greene, whose spare, precise writing contrasts with Mr. Nguyen’s exuberant, expansive and sometimes repetitious style, will recognize in her one of Mr. Nguyen’s many sly ripostes to and upendings of “The Quiet American,” the subject of the narrator’s thesis. While the love interest in that book is an annoyingly passive cipher, the narrator’s girlfriend is a free-love feminist with trenchant views on Asian stereotyping.

The great achievement of “The Sympathizer” is that it gives the Vietnamese a voice and demands that we pay attention. Until now, it’s been largely a one-sided conversation — or at least that’s how it seems in American popular culture. As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of <hl> American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists <hl>. We’ve never had a story quite like this one before. Mr. Nguyen, who teaches English and American studies at the University of Southern California, was born in Vietnam but raised in the United States. He is the author of an academic book, “Race and Resistance.” How exciting that he also writes fiction, because he has a great deal to say and a knowing, playful, deeply intelligent voice. His novel is a spy thriller, a philosophical exploration, a coming-of-age tale, the story of what it’s like to be an immigrant, to be part-Asian, to be the illegitimate child of a forbidden liaison. It’s about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that you’re not sure who you are. The story is framed as a confession addressed to a figure called the Commandant, who, it gradually becomes clear, is keeping the captain prisoner in some unknown location. (We won’t learn where or why until the book’s shattering conclusion.) But the captain’s account is less an appeal for absolution than an attempt to explain what he did and the reasons behind it. It also allows him to be, as he says, an anthropologist of Vietnamese and American culture. The story flits around, intermingling past and present, scenes from childhood with scenes from pre-fall Saigon with scenes from contemporary America, conversations spilling together, so it’s necessary to read carefully to orient yourself. The tone is set in the very first sentence. “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator confesses. “I am also a man of two minds.” That’s a point Mr. Nguyen will return to over and over again — the blessing and the curse of finding subtlety where others see certainty. As children, the narrator and two other boys, Bon and Man, swore blood brotherhood and have remained fierce friends. Bon is pro-American, a veteran of the C.I.A.-sponsored Phoenix program of assassination; he leaves Saigon with the narrator on that plane. Man is a Communist and the narrator’s handler; he stays behind. Once in Los Angeles, the narrator takes a job with his former university professor and begins a sensual affair with an older Japanese-American woman. Students of Graham Greene, whose spare, precise writing contrasts with Mr. Nguyen’s exuberant, expansive and sometimes repetitious style, will recognize in her one of Mr. Nguyen’s many sly ripostes to and upendings of “The Quiet American,” the subject of the narrator’s thesis. While the love interest in that book is an annoyingly passive cipher, the narrator’s girlfriend is a free-love feminist with trenchant views on Asian stereotyping.

As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of <hl> American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists <hl> .


Question: Who is the confession address?

Answer: Phoenix

The great achievement of “The Sympathizer” is that it gives the Vietnamese a voice and demands that we pay attention. Until now, it’s been largely a one-sided conversation — or at least that’s how it seems in American popular culture. As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists. We’ve never had a story quite like this one before. Mr. Nguyen, who teaches English and American studies at the University of Southern California, was born in Vietnam but raised in the United States. He is the author of an academic book, “Race and Resistance.” How exciting that he also writes fiction, because he has a great deal to say and a knowing, playful, deeply intelligent voice. His novel is a spy thriller, a philosophical exploration, a coming-of-age tale, the story of what it’s like to be an immigrant, to be part-Asian, to be the illegitimate child of a forbidden liaison. It’s about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that you’re not sure who you are. The story is framed as a confession addressed to a figure called the Commandant, who, it gradually becomes clear, is keeping the captain prisoner in some unknown location. (We won’t learn where or why until the book’s shattering conclusion.) But the captain’s account is less an appeal for absolution than an attempt to explain what he did and the reasons behind it. It also allows him to be, as he says, an anthropologist of Vietnamese and American culture. The story flits around, intermingling past and present, scenes from childhood with scenes from pre-fall Saigon with scenes from contemporary America, conversations spilling together, so it’s necessary to read carefully to orient yourself. The tone is set in the very first sentence. “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator confesses. “I am also a man of two minds.” That’s a point Mr. Nguyen will return to over and over again — the blessing and the curse of finding subtlety where others see certainty. As children, the narrator and two other boys, Bon and Man, swore blood brotherhood and have remained fierce friends. <hl> Bon is pro-American, a veteran of the C.I.A.-sponsored Phoenix program of assassination; he leaves Saigon with the narrator on that plane. <hl> Man is a Communist and the narrator’s handler; he stays behind. Once in Los Angeles, the narrator takes a job with his former university professor and begins a sensual affair with an older Japanese-American woman. Students of Graham Greene, whose spare, precise writing contrasts with Mr. Nguyen’s exuberant, expansive and sometimes repetitious style, will recognize in her one of Mr. Nguyen’s many sly ripostes to and upendings of “The Quiet American,” the subject of the narrator’s thesis. While the love interest in that book is an annoyingly passive cipher, the narrator’s girlfriend is a free-love feminist with trenchant views on Asian stereotyping.

The great achievement of “The Sympathizer” is that it gives the Vietnamese a voice and demands that we pay attention. Until now, it’s been largely a one-sided conversation — or at least that’s how it seems in American popular culture. As the narrator explains, “this was the first war where the losers would write history instead of the victors,” and so it is that we’ve heard about the Vietnam War mostly from the point of view of American soldiers, American politicians and American journalists. We’ve never had a story quite like this one before. Mr. Nguyen, who teaches English and American studies at the University of Southern California, was born in Vietnam but raised in the United States. He is the author of an academic book, “Race and Resistance.” How exciting that he also writes fiction, because he has a great deal to say and a knowing, playful, deeply intelligent voice. His novel is a spy thriller, a philosophical exploration, a coming-of-age tale, the story of what it’s like to be an immigrant, to be part-Asian, to be the illegitimate child of a forbidden liaison. It’s about being forced to hide yourself under so many layers that you’re not sure who you are. The story is framed as a confession addressed to a figure called the Commandant, who, it gradually becomes clear, is keeping the captain prisoner in some unknown location. (We won’t learn where or why until the book’s shattering conclusion.) But the captain’s account is less an appeal for absolution than an attempt to explain what he did and the reasons behind it. It also allows him to be, as he says, an anthropologist of Vietnamese and American culture. The story flits around, intermingling past and present, scenes from childhood with scenes from pre-fall Saigon with scenes from contemporary America, conversations spilling together, so it’s necessary to read carefully to orient yourself. The tone is set in the very first sentence. “I am a spy, a sleeper, a spook, a man of two faces,” the narrator confesses. “I am also a man of two minds.” That’s a point Mr. Nguyen will return to over and over again — the blessing and the curse of finding subtlety where others see certainty. As children, the narrator and two other boys, Bon and Man, swore blood brotherhood and have remained fierce friends. Bon is pro-American, a veteran of the C.I.A.-sponsored <hl> Phoenix <hl> program of assassination; he leaves Saigon with the narrator on that plane. Man is a Communist and the narrator’s handler; he stays behind. Once in Los Angeles, the narrator takes a job with his former university professor and begins a sensual affair with an older Japanese-American woman. Students of Graham Greene, whose spare, precise writing contrasts with Mr. Nguyen’s exuberant, expansive and sometimes repetitious style, will recognize in her one of Mr. Nguyen’s many sly ripostes to and upendings of “The Quiet American,” the subject of the narrator’s thesis. While the love interest in that book is an annoyingly passive cipher, the narrator’s girlfriend is a free-love feminist with trenchant views on Asian stereotyping.