Problem: CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE STORM--THE WRECK OF THE HOMEWARD BOUND--THE LIFEBOAT.

A stern chase never was and never will be a short one. Old Coleman, in the course of quarter of a mile's run, felt that his powers were limited and wisely stopped short; Bax, Guy, and Tommy Bogey held on at full speed for upwards of two miles along the beach, following the road which wound along the base of the chalk cliffs, and keeping the fugitive well in view.

But Long Orrick was, as we have seen, a good runner. He kept his ground until he reached a small hamlet named Kingsdown, lying about two and a half miles to the north of Saint Margaret's Bay. Here he turned suddenly to the left, quitted the beach, and made for the interior, where he was soon lost sight of, and left his disappointed pursuers to grumble at their bad fortune and wipe their heated brows.

The strength of the gale had now increased to such an extent that it became a matter not only of difficulty but of danger to pass along the shore beneath the cliffs. The spray was hurled against them with great violence, and as the tide rose the larger waves washed up with a magnificent and overwhelming sweep almost to their base. In these circumstances Guy proposed to go back to Saint Margaret's Bay by the inland road.

"It's a bit longer," said he, as they stood under the lee of a wall, panting from the effects of their run, "but we shall be sheltered from the gale; besides, I doubt if we could pass under the cliffs now."
1. What did Old Coleman feel in the course of a quarter mile's run?
2. Who kept running for upwards of two miles?
3. Who kept running until he reached a small hamlet?
4. What did he leave his disappointed pursuers to do?
5. What was the gale's strenghts extent?
Answer: 1. his powers were limited
2. Bax, Guy, and Tommy Bogey
3. Long Orrick
4. grumble at their bad fortune
5. unknown

Problem: The incumbent is the current holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent(s). For example, in the 2012 United States presidential election, Barack Obama was the incumbent, because he had been the president in the previous term while the election sought to determine the president for the current term. A race without an incumbent is referred to as an open seat.

The word "incumbent" is derived from the Latin verb "incumbere", literally meaning "to lean or lay upon" with the present participle stem "incumbent-", "leaning a variant of "encumber," while encumber is derived from the root "cumber", most appropriately defined: "To occupy obstructively or inconveniently; to block fill up with what hinders freedom of motion or action; to burden, load."

In general, incumbents have structural advantages over challengers during elections. The timing of elections may be determined by the incumbent instead of a set schedule. For most political offices, the incumbent often has more name recognition due to their previous work in the office. Incumbents also have easier access to campaign finance, as well as government resources (such as the franking privilege) that can be indirectly used to boost a campaign. An election (especially for a legislature) in which no incumbent is running is often called an "open seat"; because of the lack of incumbency advantage, these are often amongst the most hotly contested races in any election.
1. What's this article mainly about?
2. Who was the incumbent in the 2012 US elections?
3. Why?
4. What is the literal meaning of the word?
5. From what language does it originate?
6. Did Barack Obama have an advantage in his reelection?
7. Do challengers have a higher chance of being recognized?
8. What is an open seat?
9. When is this term mostly utilized?
10. What is the root of the word?
11. What types of advantages do they have in elections?
Answer: 1. The term incumbent
2. Barack Obama
3. he had been the president in the previous term while the election sought to determine the president for the current term
4. to lean or lay upon
5. Latin
6. Yes
7. No.
8. A race without an incumbent
9. in reference to elections
10. cumber
11. structural

Problem: CHAPTER XXIII

AN ELECTION OF OFFICERS

"Election of officers to-morrow!"

"As if every cadet at the school didn't know it, Pepper."

"Well, Andy, have you made up your mind how you are going to vote?"

"Sure I have," replied the acrobatic youth. "I am going to vote for Bart Conners for major, since Jack don't want to run again."

"That's the way I am going to vote, too."

"How about the two captains?" asked Joe Nelson.

"Well, I think I'll vote for Dave Kearney for one," answered Pepper. "I am not so sure about the other."

"What's the matter with Harry Blossom?" asked Bert Field. "He seems to be a nice sort."

"He is."

"I understand Reff Ritter wants to be a captain," put in Stuffer.

"Sure, an' he'd be afther wantin' to be major, only he ain't popular enough," came from Emerald.

"Coulter is out for a captaincy, too," said Jack, who had come up during the talk.

"Do you think either of them will be elected?" asked Andy.

"Not if I can prevent it," replied the young major. "Neither of them deserves any office."

"I understand Dan Baxter wants to be major," said Stuffer. "Talk about gall! What has he ever done for the school? Nothing."

"He won't get the office," said Jack.

"Is Bart going to have a walkover?" asked Pepper.

"Hardly. Both Dave Kearney and Harry Blossom will run against him, and so will Bob Grenwood, and they all have their friends."

"Well, let the best fellows win, say I!" cried Andy, and then he ran off, to do some fancy "stunts" in the gymnasium.
1. What event is about to happen?
2. When?
3. Where were these elections taking place?
4. Who are they going to elect?
5. What was he running for?
6. Who was going to vote for him?
7. Who would he have voted for if they had run?
8. What other position is being voted on?
9. Who is in the running for that?
10. Who is he running against?
11. Who else wants the job?
12. Does he have higher aspirations?
13. Anyone else interested in captain?
14. Who knew this?
15. Who else wants to be major?
16. Did they think he would win?
17. Who is the gymnast of the bunch?
Answer:
1. Election of officers
2. tomorrow
3. at the school
4. Bart Conners
5. major
6. Andy
7. Jack
8. two captains
9. Dave Kearney
10. Harry Blossom
11. Reff Ritter
12. yes, major
13. Coulter
14. Jack
15. Dan Baxter
16. no
17. Andy