How Much Do You Know About Texas?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Much Do You Know About Texas?
Image: TerryJ/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Did you know that the Six Flags amusement park gets its name from the number of flags that have flown over the state of Texas? A state with one of the most interesting histories, Texas is full of things that might surprise you. You might think you know your Texas stuff, but do you know as much as you think you do? 

Throughout this quiz, we're going to take a trip deep into the heart of The Lone Star State. From the state's multiple cities to its king-sized ranches and natural lakes, there's more to Texas than steer or bluebells. Historical sites like The Alamo and the Houston Space Center are only part of the story, too. There are as many things to know about Texas as there are extensive miles of highway! 

You don't need to have any exes who live in Texas to get the answers right. All you need to have is a taste for barbecue, live music and American geography. Will you impress yourself with the knowledge you've already acquired, or will you need to find out even more? Read each question carefully, and you'll find out how many Texas-sized IQ points you have. Are you ready to find out?  

Terry's Texas Rangers Memorial and Capitol Dome
Dave Wilson, WebArtz Photography/Moment/Getty Images
The oldest state law enforcement agency began in Texas. What's it called?
State Troopers
State Rangers
Texas Rangers
Texas Walkers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Founded in 1823 by Stephen Austin, the Texas Rangers were the first state law enforcement agency. After the War of Independence from Mexico, the "Father of Texas" hired the men to protect those who were settling in the wild frontier regions of the state.

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Texas and American Flag
sdgamez/E+/Getty Images
Throughout its history, the flags of how many nations have flown over Texas?
Two
One
Six
Eight
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas has one of the most interesting histories of all the states! Throughout its history, it has been a territory of six different countries. Hence, the name of the state's most famous amusement park — Six Flags.

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King Ranch Pool House
Wiki Commons by Darryn Rose
What's the name of the Texas ranch that's bigger than Rhode Island?
King Ranch
Big Ranch
Ewing Ranch
Cattle Springs Ranch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a whopping real estate value of $1.1 billion, King Ranch is not only the biggest ranch in Texas, it's the most expensive! It was first established in 1853, and it operates to this day.

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Texas State Capitol building in Austin cityscape, Texas
Pixelchrome Inc/DigitalVision/Getty Images
It doesn't have the most people, but it does get to be the state capital. What Texas city are we talking about?
Dallas
Austin
Fort Worth
Houston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Houston might be the biggest city in Texas, but Austin is the state's capital. Sitting at the base of the Colorado River, Austin is a hotbed for technology, music and laid-back living.

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Big Red soda four-pack
Wiki Commons by Dennis Brown
Other than Big Red, do you know which sugary drink was invented in Waco, Texas?
Pepsi
Coke
Dr Pepper
RC Cola
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1885, pharmacist Charles Alderton first served his newly invented Dr Pepper as a fountain drink. Back then, the townspeople would sit at the counter and say, "Shoot me a Waco." It's one of the few soft drinks that utilize real cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

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Northern Mockingbird
Jeremy Woodhouse/Photodisc/Getty Images
What is the name of the official bird of Texas?
Bluejay
Mockingbird
Whipperwhill
Parakeet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Standing at about 10 inches tall, mockingbirds are beautiful! They are also fiercely predatorial, and that's why, in 1927, it was chosen as the Texas state bird. Texas officials admired the bird's fierce protection of its nest.

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Colorful yarns
Shelly C. Norton/Moment Open/Getty Images
Texas produces more of which textile material than any other state? It doesn't have anything to do with cows.
Wool
Cotton
Hemp
Rayon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you think of Texas, you probably think of cattle. You should also think of sheep! Every year, the state pumps out over 1.7 million pounds of wool. That's a lot of sheep shearing.

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Caddo Lake State Park
jennifer m. ramos/Moment/Getty Images
There are 7,000 lakes in Texas. Which one is the largest natural lake?
Possum Kingdom Lake
Lake Buchanon
Lewisville Lake
Caddo Lake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sitting on the border between Louisiana and Texas, Caddo Lake is the only lake in Texas that isn't man-made. With over 40 square miles of lush wetlands, you never know when you might see an alligator there.

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Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
DenisTangneyJr/E+/Getty Images
If you're visiting Galveston, which animal are you forbidden to let run on the beach?
A dog
A cat
A crab
A camel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Try to behave yourself and keep your camel on a leash in Galveston! It's illegal to let it roam the beach. You are also forbidden from using feather dusters in any of the state's public buildings.

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Texas Flag
Jeremy Woodhouse/Photodisc/Getty Images
Is it true or false that Texas was once its own country?
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's true! After passing hands from Spain to France to Mexico and a few more entities, Texas became its own country in 1836. The Independent Republic of Texas stood alone for a decade until it joined the United States in 1845.

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Brazoria County Wildlife Refuge
Kelly Reed/Moment Open/Getty Images
You won't find many people there, but what's so special about Brazoria County, Texas?
It has 400 species of birds.
The governor's mansion is there.
It's the biggest county in the state.
The Houston Space Center is there.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brazoria County, Texas, is not only the home of the state's largest bird population, it's also home to the biggest population of birds in the entire country! Ornithologists have counted over 400 different species of our feathered friends there.

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Two lightning whelk shells and a barnacled knobbed whelk shell
John Dreyer/Moment Open/Getty Images
Can you figure out which one of these seashells gets to be the striking Texas state shell?
Tusk shell
Clamshell
Lightning whelk
Chiton shell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you take a stroll down any of the beaches in Texas, you might find a remnant of the state shell, the lightning whelk. lightning whelks are sea snails that can grow up to 15 inches in length, and they're often mistaken for conchs.

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Dwight D Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson
Wiki Commons by White House and Arnold Newman, White House Press Office (WHPO)
Texas is home to two former presidents. Who are they?
George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush
Lyndon B. Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant
Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson
Bill Clinton and Dwight D. Eisenhower
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson are Texas natives. Hailing from the towns of Dennison and Stonewall, respectively, their terms in office were separated by the years that John F. Kennedy served.

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Sam Houston
Wiki Commons by Mathew Brady
Houston's namesake, Sam Houston, was born in which of these U.S. states?
Virginia
Texas
Georgia
Hawaii
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sam Houston might have been born in Virginia, but he lived to lead in Texas. The two-time leader of the Republic of Texas held the distinction of being one of the first senators to represent the state in the United States Senate.

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Aerial view of Austin, Texas
Jupiterimages/PHOTO.com/Getty Images Plus
What is the maximum legal speed limit you can drive on Texas highways (specifically, a highway leading to Austin)?
75 MPH
65 MPH
85 MPH
70 MPH
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you feel the need for speed while you're visiting Texas, take a trip down State Highway 130. You are legally allowed to drive up to 85 miles per hour on the road that connects Austin and San Antonio.

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Spaghetti highway overpass intersection and shopping center in Austin Texas
dszc/E+/Getty Images
If you lined up all of the highways in Texas, how many miles would they stretch?
100,000
72,000
12,000
64,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texans love to drive, and they have a lot of roads to choose from. Between state highways, interstates, park roads, farm roads and frontage roads, there are over 72,000 miles of lanes to drive.

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Artist's impression of four macronarian sauropods
Wiki Commons by Богданов dmitrchel@mail.ru
Texas has an official state dinosaur. Do you have any idea which name it has?
Ammosaurus
Navahopus
Pleurocoelus
Syntarsus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the state dinosaur is no different! The Pleurocoelus weighed up to 10 tons, and it once roamed in groups throughout the central and north-central regions of the state.

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Texas Cattle
Skip Nall/Photodisc/Getty Images
How many head of cattle will you find roaming throughout Texas? It's nearly half the number of citizens.
1.4 million
11.7 million
4.6 million
2.1 million
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not including the iconic bronze longhorn steers that grace The Plaza in Dallas, 11.7 million head of cattle roam throughout the state. In addition to being the biggest wool producer, Texas also keeps the market full of beef.

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Bigfoot footprint
Wiki Commons by Eureka Humboldt Times
Channel your inner cryptozoologist, and tell us what creature you have a good chance of seeing in Texas.
Bigfoot
Chutulu
The Loch Ness Monster
Mothman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're hoping to spot Bigfoot, enthusiasts say that Texas is one of the best states to visit. With an average of 806 sightings per year, the Lone Star State is ranked the eighth most popular state to see the beast. They ask that you refrain from shooting it, though.

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Traditional Homestyle Burger
LauriPatterson/E+/Getty Images
Other towns might disagree, but one Texas town claims to have invented the hamburger. Which town is it?
Wimberly, Texas
Marfa, Texas
Shiner, Texas
Athens, Texas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Long before food trucks took over Texas towns, Uncle Fletcher Davis stood in front of the Henderson County Courthouse making hamburgers for hungry lawmakers. Since the 1880s, the town of Athens has been known as the birthplace of America's favorite sandwich.

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Texas road sign
Fotosearch/Getty Images
This should be easy! What is Texas' official state nickname?
Lone Star State
The Big State
The Star State
The Six Flags State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One glance at the red, white and blue flag of Texas should give you an idea about the state's nickname. The Lone Star State nickname pays tribute to the time when the state stood as an independent country.

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Bluebonnet fields
Robert W. Hensley/Moment/Getty Images
While driving through Texas, you might see fields of what colorful state flower?
Poppies
Tulips
Bluebonnets
Sunflowers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas bluebonnets hit peak bloom in the months of March and April, and they are one of the toughest state flowers around. Able to withstand dry conditions, the Lupinus texenis,can also be found in adjacent areas of Mexico.

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United States map with federal state Texas
Grafissimo/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images
After years of changing hands, Texas finally became a state on what date?
March 1, 1908
February 14, 1880
July 4, 1776
December 29, 1845
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After declaring independence from the Republic of Mexico in 1836, Texas spent a little over 10 years as the independent Republic of Texas. On December 18, 1845, it was annexed and included in the United States of America.

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Texas longhorn steer
Dean Fikar/Moment/Getty Images
Do you have any idea which animal is the Texas state mammal? There are millions of them there.
Pronghorn deer
Nine-banded armadillo
Longhorn steer
Ring-tailed cat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Officially called the Texas Longhorn, the longhorn steer is the state's most beloved mammal. It's easily recognized by its horns that average up to 70 inches long. In some cases, they can grow to almost 100 inches (8.3 feet) across!

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Woman proudly waving flag of Texas
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If you're humming along to the song Texas has adopted as its state song, what song are you humming?
"All My Exes Live in Texas"
"Deep in the Heart of Texas"
"Texas, Our Texas"
"The Stars at Night Are Big and Bright"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Texas state legislature voted and adopted "Texas, Our Texas" as the state song in 1929. It was chosen after a statewide search for the song. "Texas, our Texas, so wonderful and great!"

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Space Center Houston Shuttle atop Carrler
Wiki Commons by Pi3.124
Where would you need to travel to visit the world-famous space center in Texas?
Dallas
Houston
Galveston
San Antonio
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry once claimed that Houston was the first word spoken on the moon. Although that's not true, it is true that the Houston Space Center is a historic place that draws 1.1 million visitors every year.

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Pecan pie
cislander/E+/Getty Images
Which kind of pie could be made from the nut of the Texas state tree? It's a Thanksgiving favorite.
Coconut cream pie
Walnut maple pie
Pistachio cream pie
Pecan pie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas is the only state in the union where you will find so many pecan trees growing in their native habitat. Found in 152 of the state's counties, usually along riverbeds, the nut has been exported since 1860.

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Frio River at Garner State Park, TX
dhughes9/E+/Getty Images
Will you find more or fewer than 100 state parks throughout Texas?
More
Fewer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At last count, there are 102 state parks throughout the state of Texas. The most popular, Garner State Park, averages over 419,000 visitors per year. Located in the Texas Hill Country, its well-loved for its venues.

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Alamo Memorial
Wiki Commons by gillfoto
What's the name of the San Antonio site where the Republic of Texas battled against Mexico?
Big Bend National Park
San Antonio River Walk
The Alamo
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Between February 23, 1836, and March 6, 1836, soldiers from the Republic of Texas fought hard to fight off the Mexican army. Ultimately, all of the Texas soldiers lost their lives. Every year, more than 2.5 million people visit The Alamo to pay their respects.

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Austin TX downtown night life, 6th congress street sign intersection
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It's also famous for its food trucks, but which Texas city is better known as the "Live Music Capital of The World"?
Houston
Waco
El Paso
Austin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's no shortage of nightlife in Austin, Texas! Every night, over 100 bars and clubs host live bands and solo performers. Austin officially refers to itself as the "Live Music Capital of The World." There are more live music venues per capita in Austin than anywhere else in the U.S.

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Texas state flag hanging on the south entrance to the Texas State Capitol Building
Brian Bumby/Moment/Getty Images
Which one of these nations has never had rulership over the state of Texas?
England
France
Spain
Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

England may have played a huge part in American history, but it never got its hands on Texas. Texas was too busy fighting with Spain, Mexico and France for the ownership of its land.

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United States Map of Population by State (2015)
Wiki Commons by Datawheel
Texas is the second most populated state. Which state has more people?
New York
Florida
Ohio
California
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to a 2019 headcount, Texas is home to 29,087,070 citizens. With nearly 10 million more people, California is the only other state to have a larger population. Alaska gets the prize for the biggest state, but Texas comes in a close second.

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Scenic tornado approaching the town of McLean, Texas
Jessica Moore/Cultura/Getty Images
On average, how many tornadoes are reported each year in Texas?
219
132
411
324
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The state of Texas sits in an area of the United States dubbed Tornado Alley. Unpredictable weather is the norm there. An average of 132 tornadoes touch downs in Texas each year.

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Wind Farm, Vega, Texas
Paul Souders/Corbis/Getty Images
Can you figure out which one of these household utilities Texans do not share with other states?
Water
Electricity
Natural gas
Sewer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas — ERCOT to locals — provides electricity to over 90% of all Texas homes. Texas is the only state in the union to exist on its very own power grid.

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Friends sharing dinner at table in backyard
Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Which one of these words makes up the Texas state motto?
Loyalty
Friendship
Honor
Independence
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Texas might be Norwegian slang that means crazy, but it had an entirely different meaning to the Caddo Indians who originally occupied the state. To them, it was a word that translated to mean friends of allies. In keeping with tradition, in 1930, the word "friendship" was adopted as the Texas state motto.

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