The given clause, "whoever wins the contest a savings bond" is a subordinate or a dependent clause. This kind of clause does not convey a complete thought and needs the main sentence in order to make it understandable. This subordinate clause is connected to the main clause with the subordinating conjunction "whoever".
Answer:
1.To meet, especially unexpectedly; come upon: encountered an old friend on the street.
2.To confront in battle or competition: encountered last year's champion.
3.To experience or undergo: We have encountered numerous obstacles.
You would never know what the setting is,if the characters are not known and if the settings are unknown the story would have to turn to the theme or the plot. when the charaters are unknown the effect is losing place in the story. It might be confusing but if it help letme know!!