Are You the Smartest Person in Texas?

By: Elizabeth Lavis
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Are You the Smartest Person in Texas?
Image: Brian Bumby / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Ever dreamed of having some serious Lone Star bragging rights? If so, you've landed on the right quiz! This ain't just any ordinary trivia challenge. These questions are specifically geared toward anyone with a Texan sensibility and knowledge about the greatest state in the union. Every question on this quiz can be tied back to Texas, but they are by no means all one-note! You'll be tested on geography, history, movies and much more! We even have some questions on there about Texas' spooky supernatural past! Trust us, we left no stone unturned when we came up with this one.

Can you name the Texas state plant right off the top of your head? Do you remember the history of this proud and unique state? How much do you know about the representation of Texas in pop culture? This quiz is as broad and vast as the state itself, and only someone who truly knows their stuff has even the slightest chance of passing. 

Is your brain as sharp as a thorny cactus? If you're more wily than a rattlesnake and ready to kick off your cowboy boots, relax and test your knowledge of the great state of Texas, then let's get started!

Q 01 Texas Nickname
Pixabay by Pace52
What is Texas' nickname?
The Yellowhammer State
The Lone Star State
The Constitution State
The Golden State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas is also known as the Lone Star State. It got this unique moniker because it actually used to be an independent republic before it joined up with the rest of the United States.

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Q 05 largest state
joe daniel price / Moment / Getty Images
True or false; Texas is the largest US State.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas might be massive, but it's got nothing on its northern neighbor, Alaska. You could actually fit two Texases inside Alaska. Alaska might have more landmass, but Texas has a lot more personality! Texans like to say that their state will be larger when Alaska melts!

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Q 09 Alamo
Unsplash by Matthew T Rader
How did the battle of the Alamo end?
With a truce between the Texans and Mexicans
With a Texan win
There was no battle of the Alamo in real life- only in the movies
With a Mexican win
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The famous battle of the Alamo ended with a Mexican victory, and defeat and death for the Texans who were trying to defend their fort. "Remember the Alamo" is a common rallying cry.

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Q 02 Extolling
Hill Street Studios / DigitalVision / Getty Images
What do we mean when we say, "She was extolling the people of Texas"?
She was praising the people of Texas.
She was insulting the people of Texas.
She is from Texas.
She was explaining the history of Texas to her friends.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The key word in this statement is "extoll," which means to honor or praise. It's totally understandable why the people of Texas would be extolled; They are the nicest in the world!

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Q 03 Arlen Texas
Fox Broadcasting Company
Which famous cartoon family lived in the fictitious town of Arlen, Texas?
The Simpsons
The Griffins
The Belchers
The Hills
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hank Hill and his family lived in the fictitious town of Arlen, Texas on "King of the Hill". This show gained cult popularity and nerdy Hank Hill, selling propane and propane accessories, even became something of a television icon.

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Q 04 Avoid in Texas
avid_creative / E+ / Getty Images
What should you avoid doing to Texas?
Comparing it to Georgia
Driving over 50 mph on the highway
Messing with it
Removing rattlesnakes from the desert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The slogan "Don't Mess with Texas" came out of an anti-littering campaign that began in 1985. Of course, it's gone far beyond telling drivers not to toss trash on the side of the road. It's been embraced as an all-around but genial warning.

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Q 06 Dallas
Thomas Northcut / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Which legendary soap opera featuring an oil empire took place in Texas?
Dallas
General Hospital
Days of Our Lives
Sunset Beach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Dallas" was the wildly popular story of the Ewing family and the power struggles for control over their gigantic oil fortune. It had a cult following and glamorized Dallas, where it was set.

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Q 07 Galveston
Pixabay by drtechfuchs
A natural disaster devastated Galveston in 1900. What was it?
Earthquake
Tornado
Hurricane
Drought
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To this day, the 1900 Galveston hurricane is the deadliest hurricane to ever impact the United States. An untold number of people perished from the raging floods and winds, thought to be at least 6,000 and as many as 12,000.

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Q 08 Phlebotomist
Morsa Images / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Your new friend from Houston tells you that she's a phlebotomist. What does she do for work?
She's a physical therapist.
She draws blood for testing.
She is a special kind of accountant.
She is an assistant professor of physics.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Phlebotomists are becoming more and more common, as many people are learning what a lucrative and rewarding field it is. Phlebotomists draw blood for testing, usually through venipunctures.

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Q 10 Cattle Roping
Unsplash by fran hogan
"Don't exaggarate your cattle roping skills." What's wrong with this sentence?
"Exaggerate" is misspelled
"Catle" is misspelled.
There should be a comma after "don't"
Cattle roping should be capitalized
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True Texans will tell you that you shouldn't exaggerate too much about your reading comprehension and spelling skills if you didn't catch this one! Swap the "a" for an "e" and fix the sentence.

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Q 11 Bluebonnet
Pixabay by lorimalhiot
What is the state flower of Texas?
Rose
Bluebonnet
Sunflower
Orchid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Texas bluebonnet is a deeply-hued purple flower that blooms all over the southern United States and is particularly prevalent in the Lone Star State. It's shaped like a sunbonnet, hence the name.

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Q 12 Texas flags
Unsplash by Matthew T Rader
How many flags have flown over Texas?
One
Ten
Five
Six
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas has had six flags fly over it. It belonged to Spain, France, Mexico, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. It was an independent republic as well; the sixth flag.

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Q 13 All hat no cattle
Unsplash by Natalie Rhea Riggs
Time for some Texas slang! What does "all hat, no cattle" mean?
Everyone looks up to you.
You are a stylish person.
You talk a big game but have nothing to back it up.
You're a vegetarian.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"All hat, no cattle" is one of those priceless Texan terms that is used to refer to people who talk a big game but don't really have anything to back it up. It's a uniquely Texan insult.

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Q 14 Woody
Walt Disney Pictures / Pixar Animation Studios
Who was the actor who voiced Woody, the neurotic cowboy from "Toy Story"?
Johnny Depp
Michael Douglas
Brad Pitt
Tom Hanks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Woody the cowboy was brought to life by Tom Hanks, who's been voicing the character since the "Toy Story" franchise started in 1995. Woody is a cowboy that Texas would be proud of!

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Q 15 Big Bend Bird
Wiki Commons by Mark Witton and Darren Naish
Check out the picture. What is the name of the massive prehistoric bird of prey whose remains were discovered in Texa’s Big Bend National Park?
Velociraptor
Brontosaurus
Troodon
Quetzalcoatlus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The remains of the original big bird, Quetzalcoatlus, were found deep in the heart of Texas. It's speculated that the Quetzalcoatlus couldn't fly, so it simply hopped around and picked up prey from the ground!

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Q 16 Right Quick
Colorblind Images LLC / DigitalVision / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
More Texas slang! If I'm going to do something "right quick," what does that mean?
I'm going to do it right away.
I'll get to it later, but I can do it quickly.
It will take time to do it the right way.
In order for me to get it done quickly, you need to help.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a Texan tells you that they are going to do something "right quick," that means that they will be getting to it right away and that it is of the utmost priority. They are on it!

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Q 17 Sam Houston
Wiki Commons by Mathew Brady
Sam Houston is one of the most important figures in Texas history, but he wasn't even born there! Where was Sam born?
Tennessee
New York
California
Virginia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sam Houston was the first and third president of the Republic of Texas, as well as an integral player in the Texas Revolution, but this darling of the Lone Star State was actually born in Virginia.

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Q 18 NBA team
Unsplash by TJ Dragotta
What Texan NBA team hails from San Antonio?
The San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Celtics
The San Antonio Knicks
The San Antonio Heat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The San Antonio Spurs call the AT&T Center their home base. They used to play at the Alamodome. This professional NBA team has a huge following in San Antonio and Texas in general.

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Q 19 Assassinated president
Wiki Commons by White House Press Office
In 1963, this president was assassinated in Dallas. Who was he?
Lyndon Johnson
Richard Nixon
John F. Kennedy
Woodrow Wilson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John F. Kennedy is one of the most iconic presidents of our time. He was a huge champion of the space race, de-escalated with the U.S.S.R. in Cuba and was assassinated in Dallas.

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Q 20 Nose and Ears
Unsplash by Braydon Anderson
True or false; A Texan's nose and ears will grow for their entire life.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Technically this isn't just true for Texans. Everyone will experience their nose and ears growing over the course of their lives. Incredibly, they are the only body parts that do so!

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Q 21 Devil's Backbone
Unsplash by Austin Evans
Spooky! What is the most famous haunted stretch of highway in Texas?
Clinton Road
Jenny Jump State Park
Devil's Backbone
Haynesville Woods
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The appropriately named "Devils Backbone" is easily the creepiest stretch of road in Texas, and perhaps anywhere in the world. It's a beautiful stretch of road in the Hill Country said to be haunted by the spirits of Native Americans and Confederate soldiers.

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Q 22 Texas animal
Elizabeth W. Kearley / Moment / Getty Images
Which creature is Texas' state animal?
Rattlesnake
Armadillo
Gecko
Bald eagle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fittingly, the state animal of Texas is the armadillo. These sturdy and shelled creatures easily adapt to Texas' hot climate and are a common sight in all areas of the state.

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Q 23 Rock n roll
Pixabay by michaelmep
He was one of the kings of rock 'n roll! What famous musician has a statue dedicated to him in Lubbock?
Buddy Holly
Elvis Prestley
John Lennon
Paul Simon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lubbock, Texas has an enormous statue of Buddy Holly, the American musician who defined 1950s rock 'n roll. Tragically, Buddy Holly was taken too soon when his plane crashed, partially inspiring "American Pie" by Don McLean.

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Q 24 Rio Grande
Pixabay by 12019
True or false; The Rio Grande is the largest river in Texas.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Rio Grande literally translates to "big river" in Spanish, and it is the most enormous river in the state of Texas, acting as a natural barrier between Texas and neighboring Mexico.

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Q 25 Outlaw Country
Pexels by Pixabay
Who is the singer who defined "outlaw country" and is a proud Texan?
Johnny Cash
Arlo Guthrie
Willie Nelson
Frank Zappa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Willie Nelson is known for penning some of the most iconic songs in the history of American music, as well as his trademark braids and championship of many Native American causes.

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Q 26 Sweater material
Unsplash by Angelika Agibalova
What sweater material does Texas produce more of than any other state?
Alpaca
Wool
Vicuna
Cashmere
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas is famous for its oil production and for the copious amounts of wool that come out of the Lone Star State. You might not wear your cozy sweater in Texas very much, but the materials that made it might have come from there!

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Q 27 Fountain of youth
Unsplash by Dawid Zawiła
True or false: The Fountain of Youth is located in Houston, Texas.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas has plenty of amazing things to see, but the Fountain of Youth is not one of them. This treasured grotto where you can turn back time is actually located in St. Augustine, Florida.

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Q 28 Texan Celeb
Wiki Commons by Eva Rinaldi
What famous celeb pictured here is a true Texan?
Vince Vaughn
Brad Pitt
Nicolas Cage
Owen Wilson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Owen Wilson, of "Wedding Crashers" fame, and one of the most meme-worthy people of the internet is actually a true son of Texas. He was born on Nov. 18, 1968, in Dallas, Texas.

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Q 29 Waco soda
Unsplash by Artem Beliaikin
Which popular soda was invented in Waco in 1885?
Coca Cola
Dr Pepper
Sprite
Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Love it or hate it, Dr Pepper is a polarizing drink! Not quite a cola and not quite a root beer, it has a flavor profile all of its own. Fun fact: There is no period after the "Dr".

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Q 30 Zephyr
Unsplash by Abdullah Öğük
True or false: If I’m referring to a "zephyr", I’m talking about an animal.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A zephyr might sound a little bit like the exotic animal "zebra," but it doesn't have anything to do with the animal kingdom. A "zephyr" is actually another word for a slight wind, like those felt in West Texas before a thunderstorm starts brewing.

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Q 31 Moon
Pixabay by WikiImages
What Texas city is rumored to be the first word uttered on the moon?
Dallas
Austin
Houston
Amarillo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although we know for certain that Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong certainly uttered "Houston" while on the surface of the moon, there's some debate as to whether it was the first word.

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Q 32 Thorny plant
Pexels by Michele
Which thorny wonder is the Texan state plant?
Thistle
Prickly pear cactus
Saguaro cactus
Aloe vera
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prickly pear cactuses are the national plants of Texas. These blooming desert beauties also sometimes grow delicious fruit which tastes like a combination of strawberry and orange.

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Q 33 Davy Crockett
Wiki Commons by cliff1066
Who was the American folk hero who famously died at the Alamo?
Davy Crockett
Paul Bunyan
Johnny Appleseed
John Hancock
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Davy Crockett has earned his place in American folklore. Known as the "king of the wild frontier" in folklore, Crockett famously fought against the Mexicans at the Alamo and lost his life.

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Q 34 Texas Ranch
Pixabay by 12019
True or false: One Texas Ranch is bigger than the whole state of Rhode Island.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

King Ranch is the largest ranch in Texas, spanning 1,225,000 acres and taking up more land than the entire state of Rhode Island. It was originally founded in 1853 by Richard King.

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Q 35 Live Music Capital
Unsplash by Jeremy Banks
What swinging Texas city is known as the live music capital of the world?
Corpus Christi
Houston
Brownsville
Austin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Austin is one of Texas' hottest cities, and its annual tuneful event, the Austin City Limits Music Festival draws crowds from all over the world. It rivals Nashville for live music.

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You Got:
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Brian Bumby / Moment / Getty Images