GH Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield GH facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which West Virginia waterway is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world, predating the Appalachian Mountains themselves? → New River
2. The Augusta Heritage Center, which preserves traditional Appalachian arts, is located at which West Virginia college? → Davis & Elkins College
3. Which animal serves as the official state animal of West Virginia? → Black Bear
4. West Virginia's Governor is given the power to veto legislation; what percentage of the legislature must vote to override a veto? → Two-thirds (2/3) majority
5. Tamarack, West Virginia's showcase for state crafts and arts, is located near which city on the turnpike? → Beckley
6. Which river is the longest in West Virginia? → Kanawha River
7. How many official state songs does West Virginia currently have? → Three
8. West Virginia native Homer Hickam became famous after writing which memoir about rocketry? → Rocket Boys
9. The West Virginia Attorney General serves as the chief what officer of the state? → Legal officer
10. The annual Mountaineer Balloon Festival draws hot-air balloon enthusiasts to which West Virginia city? → Morgantown
11. Which industry has historically been the most significant to West Virginia’s economy? → Coal mining
12. Anna Jarvis, who campaigned to create Mother's Day as a national holiday, was from which West Virginia county? → Taylor County (Grafton)
13. What is the primary use of the Summersville Lake reservoir in Nicholas County? → Flood control and recreation
14. What is the primary function of a county commission in West Virginia? → Managing county government operations
15. The Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County is named for falls on the Blackwater River, whose water is colored dark by what natural cause? → Tannic acids from fallen leaves and spruce needles
16. West Virginia's state parks system is administered by which state agency? → Division of Natural Resources (DNR)
17. In which West Virginia county was the Golden Delicious apple first discovered around the year 1900? → Clay County
18. Which Native American tribe was the primary inhabitant of West Virginia before European settlement? → Shawnee
19. Don Knotts, best known for playing Barney Fife on 'The Andy Griffith Show,' was born in which West Virginia city? → Morgantown
20. Which type of local government is most common in West Virginia? → Mayor-council government
21. Hunting is a major tradition in West Virginia; which animal's season in November draws hunters from across the eastern US? → White-tailed deer
22. The Vandalia Gathering, held annually at the State Capitol, celebrates which aspect of West Virginia culture? → Folk music and crafts
23. West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park is especially famous for which extreme outdoor sport? → Whitewater rafting
24. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in southern West Virginia is designed primarily for which recreational activity? → ATV and off-road motorized riding
25. Walter Reuther, born in Wheeling, WV, became one of America's most influential leaders of which type of organization? → Labor union movement
26. What is the official state tree of West Virginia? → Sugar Maple
27. What is the English translation of West Virginia's state motto, 'Montani Semper Liberi'? → Mountaineers Are Always Free
28. Which river system drains most of West Virginia and flows into the Ohio River? → Kanawha River system
29. What is the highest point in West Virginia? → Spruce Knob
30. Cyrus Vance, who served as US Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter, was born in which West Virginia city? → Clarksburg