Object of Game
To be the first player to reach Finish; players race along the path by correctly
answering questions.
Equipment
Brain Quest Game Board
256 Cards
4 Playing Pieces
1 Die
Parents' Summary of Rules
To start the game, the youngest player rolls the die. The player on the youngest
player 's left becomes the Reader for this turn. The Reader picks a card from
the tray and announces the category at the top of the card. The youngest player
chooses a grade level equal to or greater than his/her current grade (for the
purposes of this game, players who are between grades are in the grade that
they just completed). The Reader reads the question from the chosen grade level,
and the youngest player answers. If the youngest player answers correctly, s/he
moves his/her playing piece the number of spaces rolled on the die plus the
number of grade levels above his/her grade level (if any) for the question.
For example, fourth graders who roll a 2 and answer a sixth grade question correctly
move 4 spaces (2 for the die roll plus 2 for answering a question two grade
levels higher than their current grade.) If the youngest player answers incorrectly,
s/he may not move. Play passes to the left (the player who was the Reader rolls
the die, and the player to his/he left becomes the Reader for this turn.) The
first player to reach Finish is the winner.
Set Up
1. Each player chooses a playing piece and places it at Start.
2. Questions are printed on the side of the cards with yellow bands at the top;
answers are printed on the side with red bands.
3. Fold the Brain Quest cards in half so that the questions (yellow side) face
out.
4. Fill section 6 of the tray with cards, and place any extra cards aside. Leave
section 7 open for discards.
5. Players should sit around the board according to their ages. The youngest
player should sit down first, then the second youngest player should sit on
the youngest player 's right, etc. The oldest player should end up on the youngest
player 's lets. This seating arrangement will allow players to read questions
close to their own grade level.
6. Suggestion: Have pencils and paper available, particularly for some of those
pesky Math questions!
Starting the Game
The youngest player ("Player") starts by rolling the die. The player
on the youngest player 's left will be the "Reader" for this turn.
The Reader picks a card from the tray and reads aloud the subject at the top
(English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Grab Bag.) Readers should pinch
cards shut so that the answers are hidden inside the cards.
Choosing a Question
Each card has six questions on it, one for each grade level in the game (1-6).
After hearing the subject, the Player announces a grade level equal to or greater
than his/her current grade level. Players earn a bonus for answering questions
from grade levels higher than the grade they are in (please see Moving and Bonus
Points, below.) Players may not choose a grade level lower than their current
grade.
During the summer, Players' grade levels are the grades that they just
completed. Sixth graders, and players who have completed sixth grade, may only
answer sixth grade questions.
After the Player picks a grade level, the Reader reads the question from
that grade level on the card. The Player answers the question, and the Reader
announces whether the answer is correct or incorrect. If Players give incorrect
answers, Readers should announce the correct answers. Answers are printed inside
the cards.
Moving and Brain Quest Bonuses
When Players answer correctly, they move their playing pieces the number rolled
on the die plus a Brain Quest Bonus of one space for each grade level above
their current grade. For example, a third grader who rolls a 4 and correctly
answers a sixth grade question moves seven spaces on this turn (4 from the die
plus one extra space for each grade above third grade.) Sixth graders may not
earn Brain Quest Bonuses.
Players must move the full number of spaces they earn on each turn (exception"
please see Finish, below.) Players' turns are over after moving.
Players may not move when they answer incorrectly, and their turns are over.
Players Who Have Completed Sixth Grade
Players in junior high may only answer sixth grade questions, and they must
subtract 1 from each die roll. Players who have completed junior high may only
answer sixth grade questions, and must subject 2 from each die roll. Players
who subtract from a die roll and end up with 0 or a negative number lose their
turn.
Continuing Play
When a player's turn is over, the Reader becomes the new Player. The person
on the new Player's left becomes the new Reader.
Track
When Players reach the track, they move their playing pieces along the lanes
of the track that have the same number as their grade levels. For example, all
first graders will move along the track marked "1."
The Mud Puddle
Players who end their turn on the mud puddle space at the end of the track lose
their turn. Players may only lose one turn per game in the mud puddle. Players
still serve as Reader while they are in the puddle.
Foursquare
Players must move through the foursquare portion of the board in numerical order,
starting at space 1.
Finish
The first person to reach Finish wins the game. Players may stop on Finish even
if they have more spaces left to move (this is the only time that Players may
move less than the full amount of spaces that they earn.)
Tips for Reading Questions
There are two types of questions in the game that Readers should take special
care in reading: questions that include an underlined space(__) and questions
that have letters with dashes between them (for example, M-r-s.) Players fill
in missing words for questions with an underlined space; Readers should say
"blank" whenever the underlined space appears so that Players will
know where the missing words belong. Questions that include letters with dashes
usually deal with spelling; when Readers see dashes, they should say each letter
separately.
Finally, our special Peek & See Cards are deigned so that Readers can play
along too--so don't peek!
Copyright ©1997 University Games