The Nebulous State of Nebraska Quiz

Answer: Blue Chalcedony

Chalcedony is found in northwestern Nebraska, where it forms in silt and claystone. Nebraska designated blue chalcedony as the official state gemstone in 1967. It is used in jewelry where it is known as blue agate.

Answer: Western meadowlark

Western meadowlarks live in the wide open spaces and grasslands of the Midwest. They live alone or in small flocks and feed on insects, seeds and berries. They have a yellow breast with a black "V".

Answer: Goldenrod

The goldenrod is a type of aster. This bird-attracting flower has yellow flowers on stalks that can grow up to eight feet tall. It is usually a wild flower but is sometimes planted in gardens.

Answer: Cornhusker State

Nebraska is called the "Cornhusker State" because of the importance of agriculture in the state. It is one of the largest exporters of corn. The name "Cornhusker" was a name taken from the University of Nebraska football team in 1945.

Answer: Platte River

The Platte River is the most important river in Nebraska and runs through the middle of the state. Running from west to east, this low-water river makes for wonderful crop irrigation.

Answer: Cottonwood

The state named the Cottonwood the State Tree in 1972. They are fast growing trees that are big enough for lumber acquisition in ten to thirty years. The cottonwood tree grows throughout Nebraska.

Answer: Channel catfish

The channel catfish is found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs throughout Nebraska. They have taste buds distributed over the entire surface of the body, as well as a keen sense of smell. These sharp senses allow the channel catfish to find food in muddy water.

Answer: Prairie agate

Nebraska has an abundance of this colorful semi-precious stone, particularly in the Oglala National Grassland. Popular for jewelry, prairie agate is distinctive because it seldom has the bands, that are found on other agates.

Answer: False

The name "Nebraska" is based on the Oto Indian word Nebrathka which means "flat water" and is a reference to the Platte River. The state has many cities and county names that are Native American in origin.

Answer: True

Mammoth fossils have been found in most Nebraska counties. One mammoth found in Lincoln County was one of the world's largest elephant fossils and is displayed in the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln. Nebraska designated the mammoth as the official state fossil in 1967.