State Secrets
Shades of Red
Sounds of Summer
Potpourri
Geography
100
One of two states that is rectangular in shape.
What is Colorado or Wyoming? They are rectangular states due to the method of land surveying used during Western expansion.
100
If you receive this red flower, it signifies the sender’s love
What is a rose? Rose is an anagram for eros, the Greek word for romantic love.
100
In August, these insects’ chirps could raise Rumpelstiltskin from his sleep.
What are crickets? The higher the temperature, the more frequent the chirps. Today, the expression “crickets” is used to indicate silence on a subject.
100
Main computer input device for text
What is keyboard? Other computer input devices include the microphone for those who want to speak into the computer, and the mouse, which positions the cursor or selects text or images. A pen or stylus can be used with cell phones and notebooks that support them.
100
Term meaning “of or relating to the sea or ocean”; also relating to navigation by watercraft
What is marine? One example is marine biologists, who study the ocean and everything that lives in it.
200
The state of Washington is home to the largest building in the world, which belongs to this aviation company.
What is Boeing? The factory covers 98.3 acres (39.8 hectares).
200
This octagonal red sign is the universal sign for this.
What is “stop”? A yellow sign generally means “caution” or “warning” and is often in the shape of a triangle
200
Humming and whirring are associated with this flying animal
What is the hummingbird? Hummingbirds take 150 breaths per minute. Don’t try this at home.
200
The largest planet in our solar system
What is Jupiter? Its mass is 318 times the mass of Earth.
200
An image of a place, city, state, or the world, drawn to scale
What is a map? A globe is one type of map of the world. A bound collection of maps is called an atlas.
300
This state has the largest economy in the United States.
What is California? It has the fifth-largest economy in the world, and its GDP is equivalent to India’s.
300
This is the only red precious gemstone
What is the ruby? The other precious stones are diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.
300
On a sunny summer day in the neighborhood, often you can hear the racket made by these yard machines.
What are lawnmowers? Mowing the lawn is frequently near the top of many men’s honey-do lists—right after taking out the garbage.
300
Dutch artist who painted the famous painting The Starry Night
Who is Vincent van Gogh? He painted it while in an asylum in France after he cut off part of his ear.
300
Spooky term that describes a deserted village or town with remains of infrastructure and buildings
What is ghost town? Examples include Death Valley in California; Pripyat, Ukraine, the city affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant meltdown; and Hashima Island, Japan, which once was densely populated by workers who worked in the mines for Mitsubishi but was abandoned in 1974
400
Alaska is more than twice as large as this giant southern U.S. state.
What is Texas? Alaska is the undisputed champion when it comes to the size of U.S. states. In fact, Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve alone is larger than 10 of the 50 U.S. states, at 13.2 million acres (5.3 million hectares).
400
A red necktie is often called this, as it symbolizes authority and confidence in the wearer.
What is a power tie? Wearing a red tie or a red dress makes a strong statement. The British royals often wear red to show power.
400
Kids come running when they hear music coming from this truck
What is the ice cream truck? Ice cream trucks still come through neighborhoods today just as they did back then, an enduring summer tradition.
400
Process plants use to convert sunlight to energy
What is photosynthesis? We often equate this process with producing green leaves; however, other colors are also derived through photosynthesis. Algae use photosynthesis to generate their own food.
400
A barrier that restricts the flow of water in a river or creek, whether built by people or created by animals
What is dam? Beavers are notorious for creating dams; it’s their life’s work. Hoover Dam was built in the early 20th century to harness the water from the Colorado River to provide hydroelectric power.
500
This state’s official state song is “Yankee Doodle.”
What is Connecticut? The song was written by the British to mock the volunteer soldiers from Connecticut who fought in the French and Indian War.
500
This red vegetable with an edible pink stalk is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a frui
What is rhubarb? A member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb is in fact a vegetable. Rhubarb is tart, often combined with strawberries, and always cooked.
500
When you hear the crackling sound coming from this, get ready to sing some songs or tell your favorite ghost story.
What is a campfire? Always remember fire safety during and after a campfire. The best way to put out the fire safely is to douse it with water. If you have time, wait until the logs have turned into embers. Keep pouring water until you no longer hear any hissing from the embers. Then stir the ashes to ensure that there’s nothing still burning. Keep dousing and stirring until nothing is burning.
500
The chemical symbol for gold on the periodic table
What is Au? Its atomic number is 79. The symbol for silver is Ag, and its atomic number is 47.
500
A chain or collection of islands, such as the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador
What is archipelago? Other examples include the Greek Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, the Florida Keys, and the Hawaiian Islands.