General Knowledge Quiz the USA

Which was the 50th state to join the United States?

• California

• Hawaii

• Texas

• Alaska

Which American city was historically known as New Amsterdam?

• Salt Lake City

• Los Angeles

• New York City

• Washington DC

What is the minimum age necessary to be eligible for membership in the U.S. House of Representatives?

• 18

• 21

• 25

• 30

Answer explanation

The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the bicameral United States Congress. The constitutional requirements for eligibility for membership of the House of Representatives are a minimum age of 25 years, U.S. citizenship for at least seven years, and residency of the state from which the member is elected.

Which of these is not an American national park?

• Grand Canyon

• Yellowstone

• Yosemite

• Disneyland

Answer explanation

Disneyland is a privately owned amusement park. The other parks belong to all the American people as part of the national park system.

On which river is Washington, D.C., situated?

• Ohio River

• Hudson River

• Potomac River

• Mississippi River

Answer explanation

Washington, D.C., is the city and capital of the United States. It is located on the northern shore of the Potomac River at the river’s navigation head—that is, the transshipment point between waterway and land transport.

Which state did the United States purchase from Russia?

• Washington

• Oregon

• Arizona

• Alaska

Answer explanation

The Stars and Stripes have flown over Alaska since October 18, 1867, when the vast land was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million.

What is the smallest state by area in the United States?

• Connecticut

• Rhode Island

• Delaware

• Hawaii

Answer explanation

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the union—only about 48 miles (77 km) long and 37 miles (60 km) wide—but is, however, one of the most densely populated states.

If you are visiting Death Valley, in which U.S. state will you be?

• California

• Nevada

• Colorado

• New Mexico

Answer explanation

Death Valley, located in Inyo county, southeastern California, is the lowest, hottest, and driest portion of the North American continent. It lies near the undefined border between the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert. It is about 140 miles (225 km) long, trends roughly north-south, and is from 5 to 15 miles (8 to 24 km) wide.

Which was the first official national flag of America?

• Union Flag

• Stars and Stripes

• Confederate Flag

• Stars and Bars

Answer explanation

The first official national flag, formally approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, was the Stars and Stripes. That first Flag Resolution read, in toto, “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” The layout of the stars was left undefined, and many patterns were used by flag makers.

What is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States?

• Harvard University

• Yale University

• Cornell University

• College of William and Mary

Answer explanation

Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States (founded 1636) and one of the nation’s most prestigious. It is one of the Ivy League schools. The main university campus lies along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a few miles west of downtown Boston.