What unique water characteristic defines the Everglades landscape?
Slow, shallow sheet of water
Rapid flowing river
Deep swamp
Fact: The Everglades is characterized by a slow, shallow sheet of water that flows across flat grasslands, making it distinct from traditional swamps or rivers.
Correct Answer: Slow, shallow sheet of water
Which endangered species is found in the Everglades ecosystem?
Florida panther
Bald eagle
American bison
Fact: The Florida panther is an endangered species living in the Everglades, adapted to the subtropical environment but facing threats from habitat loss.
Correct Answer: Florida panther
What is the goal of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan?
Enhance urban development
Restore natural water patterns
Increase tourism activities
Fact: The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan aims to restore natural water flow and reduce pollution, ensuring the ecosystem’s health and balance for future generations.
Correct Answer: Restore natural water patterns
Which Ivy League school is located in the “Nutmeg State”?
Yale
Dartmouth
Harvard
Brown
Fact: Connecticut is known as “The Nutmeg State,” a nickname that traces back to traveling Connecticut peddlers who were famous for selling nutmegs throughout the region. The state is also home to Yale University, the Ivy League research institution located in New Haven. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Yale has produced five U.S. presidents as well as celebrated figures such as Meryl Streep, Paul Newman, Jodie Foster, Paul Giamatti, and James Franco.
Correct Answer: Yale
Which of these U.S. paper currency bills features a landmark not located in Washington, D.C.?
$5 bill
$10 bill
$20 bill
$100 bill
Fact: Most U.S. paper currency highlights famous landmarks in Washington, D.C. For example, the $5 bill features the Lincoln Memorial, the $10 bill shows the U.S. Treasury Building, and the $20 bill depicts the White House—each symbolizing key pillars of American government. One major denomination breaks this long-standing pattern. The notable exception is the $100 bill, whose reverse depicts Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the historic site of the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Correct Answer: $100 bill
What is the significance of the Hieroglyphic Stairway at Copán?
It serves as a calendar
It’s the longest Maya inscription
It is a military fortification
Fact: The Hieroglyphic Stairway features over 2,000 glyphs and is the longest Maya inscription known, documenting the history of Copán’s rulers and important ceremonies, showcasing the city’s power and artistic achievements.
Correct Answer: It’s the longest Maya inscription
Who founded the ancient city of Copán around 426 CE?
K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’
Pacal the Great
Tikal the Brave
Fact: K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’ was a warrior from the Maya heartland who established Copán and its royal dynasty, marking the city’s rise as a significant cultural and political center.
Correct Answer: K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’
What distinguishes Altar Q at Copán from other monuments?
It contains the longest inscription
It depicts the city’s 16 rulers
It was made solely of jade
Fact: Altar Q uniquely portrays the 16 rulers of Copán in a sculptural format, translating the political history of the dynasty into visual storytelling, and emphasizing the city’s artistic legacy.
Correct Answer: It depicts the city’s 16 rulers
Which of these U.S. presidents did not graduate from a U.S. military academy?
Ulysses S. Grant
Jimmy Carter
Herbert Hoover
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Fact: Many American presidents attended or graduated from U.S. military academies, most notably West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy. Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower were distinguished West Point graduates, while Jimmy Carter graduated from the Naval Academy. Herbert Hoover, however, had no military academy background at all—he earned a degree in geology from Stanford University and spent his early career as a mining engineer. His non-military academic path makes him the only correct choice among the options.
Correct Answer: Herbert Hoover
The Ramones named their band after an alias used by which famous musician?
Elvis Presley
Mick Jagger
Frank Sinatra
Paul McCartney
Fact: The Ramones famously borrowed their band name from Paul McCartney, who early in his career often checked into hotels under the alias “Paul Ramon.” When the band was forming in the 1970s, they loved the sound of the pseudonym and adopted “Ramone” as a shared surname, even though none of the members were biologically related. Each member took on a Ramone moniker—Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, and so on—helping solidify the group’s iconic punk image. Their name pays homage not to another band, but to a clever bit of Beatles history.
Correct Answer: Paul McCartney