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Quiz about By the river gently flowing Illinois

"By the river gently flowing, Illinois..." Quiz

All U.S. states have their own songs. Here are a few questions about the state song of Illinois. It is not only about the music, but what the lyrics say. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by oldstuff28. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
oldstuff28

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
319,389

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
277

Awards
Top 5% quiz!

Question 1 of 10

1. The state song of Illinois was penned by C.H. Chamberlain and the music was by Archibald Johnson. What is the name of this song? Hint

Prairie Grass

On the Banks of the Wabash

Illinois

Chicago

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Question 2 of 10

2. The first line of the Illinois state song is "By the rivers gently flowing, Illinois...". Which of these rivers is NOT in the state of Illinois, nor does it border it? Hint

Kankakee

Des Plaines

Columbia

Mississippi

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Question 3 of 10

3. The third and fourth lines of the state song of Illinois say: "Comes an echo on the breeze, rustling through the leafy trees". What is the state tree of Illinois? Hint

Colorado Blue Spruce

White Oak

River Birch

Ponderosa Pine

4. The second stanza of the state song of Illinois begins, "From a wilderness of prairies, Illinois ". The dominant black-soil prairies of the northern and central areas of the state of Illinois were caused by what event of nature? Hint

Glaciations

Volcanic activity

Carbonization

Tornados

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Question 5 of 10

5. The state song of Illinois mentions the "inland sea". What body of water does it mean? Hint

Lake Huron

Lake Michigan

Lake Winnebago

Lake Superior

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Question 6 of 10

6. The state song of Illinois says, "...upon the inland sea, stands thy great commercial tree, turning all the world to thee, Illinois". What does the great commercial tree mean? Hint

The Merchandise Mart

The Board of Trade

The city of Chicago

The shopping areas in Illinois

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The third stanza of the Illinois state song goes on about the Civil War:

"When the Southern host withdrew
Pitting gray against the blue
There were none more brave than you, Illinois"

During the Civil War, Illinois provided troops for the Union.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The fourth and last stanza of the Illinois state song names two U.S. Presidents. Who was president during the Civil War? Hint

Abraham Lincoln

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Johnson

Franklin Pierce

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. One of the presidents of the United States that is mentioned in the state song of Illinois was a resident of Galena, Illinois. He went to West Point and was the General that Robert E. Lee surrendered to at Appomattox Court House. Who is this president? Hint

Andrew Johnson

Ulysses S. Grant

Abraham Lincoln

Andrew Jackson

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Mentioned in the state song of Illinois is John Logan. He was a General during the Civil War and conducted impeachment proceedings against Andrew Johnson. Logan conceived the idea of an American holiday that is celebrated every year. Which holiday is it? Hint

Labor Day

Memorial Day

Civil War Day

Mother's Day

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The state song of Illinois was penned by C.H. Chamberlain and the music was by Archibald Johnson. What is the name of this song?

Answer: Illinois

In 1925, the Illinois General Assembly put into effect legislation that inaugurated "Illinois" as the official state song. The song has four main stanzas.

2. The first line of the Illinois state song is "By the rivers gently flowing, Illinois...". Which of these rivers is NOT in the state of Illinois, nor does it border it?

Answer: Columbia

The great Columbia River is, of course, in the Pacific Northwest. Illinois boasts a border on the Mississippi River. There is the Chicago River, which had its flow reversed, along with many rivers winding their way through the state.

3. The third and fourth lines of the state song of Illinois say: "Comes an echo on the breeze, rustling through the leafy trees". What is the state tree of Illinois?

Answer: White Oak

The White Oak prefers the rich soil of Illinois and it is common in many of the Illinois forests. Often they reach a height of 100 feet and give excellent shade.

Answer: Glaciations

The glaciated areas of Illinois have a rich topsoil and clay subsoil which are called black soil prairies. There are a few areas where the glacial till has been bared and this gives the land gravel or dolomite prairies. There are also hill prairies which are near the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and sand prairies near Lake Michigan and the Kankakee River. Beautiful wildflowers grow in these prairies.

5. The state song of Illinois mentions the "inland sea". What body of water does it mean?

Answer: Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, the only Great Lake entirely within the United States, lies at the northern end of the state. It affords a natural cooling effect for the city of Chicago. In the past, it was well known for Great Lakes shipping.

6. The state song of Illinois says, "...upon the inland sea, stands thy great commercial tree, turning all the world to thee, Illinois". What does the great commercial tree mean?

Answer: The city of Chicago

Of course, it is Chicago. When I was in school, we sang it: "...stands Chicago great and free...". Chicago came to be where the Chicago River met Lake Michigan, and commerce boomed. The stockyards, the railroads, industry and shipping all made the area extremely important.

7. The third stanza of the Illinois state song goes on about the Civil War: "When the Southern host withdrew Pitting gray against the blue There were none more brave than you, Illinois" During the Civil War, Illinois provided troops for the Union.

Answer: True

There were no Civil War battles fought in the state of Illinois, but Illinois soldiers--250,000 strong--helped to shape the war's course. Several of the river towns, such as Cairo, were important as supply depots for the Union troops.

8. The fourth and last stanza of the Illinois state song names two U.S. Presidents. Who was president during the Civil War?

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States throughout the Civil War. When he was elected, the Southern states began to secede from the Union. Abraham Lincoln was the man who kept the Union together and the U.S. remained united because of him.

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant

Grant was a decisive leader who helped bring about the federal victory at Vicksburg. When he came home to Illinois, the people of Galena presented him with a home. He didn't spend much time in Galena and was elected both in 1868 and 1872 as President of the United States.

Answer: Memorial Day

In May 1868, the annual celebration of Memorial Day was inaugurated to remember the fallen soldiers from the Civil War. Many historians consider John A. Logan the premier volunteer general of the Civil War. Americans still commemorate all fallen soldiers from all wars on Memorial Day. John Alexander Logan served his state and country throughout his adult life.

He lay in state in the rotunda of the Capitol and was interred in the National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Source: Author oldstuff28

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