1) Read limitup's answer. Where do you think a person with that kind of attitude is gonna end up at the end of the day?
Attitude, mind set, vision, is the first leg that sustains a four leg table. (Positive attitude has the "knack" of attracting positive results)
2) Degree of importance depends on the trader's model. Some models don't used news at all.
3)Experience will teach you to always apply your model to your hunches. More often than not, the model will verify the hunch.
4)Futures are many times more volatile, riskier, faster pace / than equities.
5) Never. If I have to utilize forward curves, then I don't know what I'm doing.- (Or trying to sell a system that does not work LOL)
6) Use 2 or three, looking for congruency.
7) First I'll ask: How good is your risk tolerance? Are you a patient person? Do you wanna be rich overnight? LOL (Usually the answers will create more Q's, that will help the person find out if "trading" is suitable for him or her before is too late) Practice with a mentor, or paper trade (be honest to your self wen paper trading) And last question and most important of all: Are you good at money management? 60% of success depends in how well you manage your capital!

Good luck in your class :)