Riddles With Answers

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, which state is NOT in the Midwest?

North Dakota
Oklahoma
Missouri
Michigan

Fact: The U.S. Census Bureau divides the nation into four main regions—Northeast, South, Midwest, and West—along with nine smaller subregions. According to this official classification, Oklahoma falls within the South, specifically the West South Central division. The Midwest, however, as defined by the Census Bureau, encompasses twelve states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio—often collectively referred to as the nation’s “Heartland.”

Correct Answer: Oklahoma

What building in Chicago was originally named the Sears Tower?

CNN Tower
Willis Tower
Wrigley Building
John Hancock Center

Fact: Completed in 1973, the Sears Tower was built as the headquarters for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. retail empire and stood as the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years. In 2009, after Sears had long vacated the building, London-based insurance broker Willis Group Holdings acquired naming rights, officially renaming it the Willis Tower. Despite the change, many Chicagoans and visitors still affectionately refer to it by its original name. Standing 1,450 feet tall, it remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city’s skyline.

Correct Answer: Willis Tower

Dave who married at 25 and now has a 25-year-old son. How old is Dave now?

You can’t know his exact age from that info — but you can give the minimum.

If Dave married at 25, the earliest he could have had a child is at 25. If his son is now 25, the minimum Dave’s age is

25 (age when he married/earliest when son could be born) + 25 (son’s current age) = 50.

So Dave is at least 50 years old — he could be older if he had his son after age 25 (e.g. had him at 30 → now 55).

How to spell ‘cat’ in 6 letters?

Classic riddle answer: S-I-X-L-E-T-T-E-R-S — i.e. you “spell” the phrase “six letters”. (It’s a word-play trick: the riddle asks you to spell cat in six letters, so you spell the words six letters.)

What color is missing from a current bag of plain M&M’s?

Red
Tan
Blue

Fact: If you were born before the 1990s, chances are high that you have encountered tan M&Ms. However in 1995, the Mars candy company decided that having two shades of brown M&Ms were unnecessary. The company held a contest and invited M&Ms lovers to call 1-800-FUN-COLOR to vote for their favorite replacement color: blue, pink, or purple. After 10 million votes were cast, the color blue was chosen to replace the tan M&M. Since then, a regular pack of M&M’s has contained a total of six colors: brown, yellow, green, red, orange, and blue.

Correct Answer: Tan

What type of clothing is named for a place in the United States?

Tuxedo
Cardigan
Corset
Leotard

Fact: The “tuxedo” was named after Tuxedo Park, an upstate New York countryside enclave for Manhattan’s wealthiest citizens. The story has it that one evening Griswold Lorillard, the son of the founder of Tuxedo Park, and his friends came up with the idea to wear a short black jacket without tails to the club’s first Autumn Ball in October 1886. The new fashion was a hit. When male guests would visit with families in Tuxedo Park, they were intrigued by the jackets that men wore and would ask their tailors to make them a jacket “like the ones worn in Tuxedo.”

Correct Answer: Tuxedo

Which apple variety, developed in Minnesota, has become a global favourite?

A Gala
B Honeycrisp
C Fuji

Fact: The Honeycrisp apple, developed at the University of Minnesota, is renowned for its flavour and texture, contributing to its popularity as a global favourite. This cultivar showcases Minnesota’s agricultural innovation.

Correct Answer: Honeycrisp

What agricultural activity do families in Minnesota partake in during apple season?

A Strawberry picking
B Cider pressing
C Pumpkin carving

Fact: During apple season, families in Minnesota engage in cider pressing as part of their orchard visits, celebrating the harvest and the joy of enjoying freshly pressed cider alongside apple picking.

Correct Answer: Cider pressing

How many cultivars of apples are estimated to exist worldwide?

A 15000
B 7500
C 1500

Fact: There are more than 7,500 cultivars of apples globally, illustrating the diversity in apple breeding and cultivation, with various varieties tailored for taste and resilience to climates, including Minnesota’s severe winters.

Correct Answer: 7500

Which animal can sleep for up to three years?

Sloth
Frog
Snail
Tortoise

Fact: Snails can sleep for up to three years by entering a state of dormancy called estivation (to avoid heat and dryness) or hibernation (to avoid cold temperatures). During these prolonged rest periods, their metabolism slows to conserve moisture and energy. To protect itself, the snail secretes a thick layer of mucus that hardens into a barrier, sealing the opening of its shell. This natural shield helps prevent dehydration and keeps out predators. When favorable weather conditions return, the snail simply dissolves the barrier and reawakens.

Correct Answer: Snail