West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Award — Questions and Answers

Question 1: West Virginia's state animal, the black bear, is most commonly found in which type of habitat?

Desert scrub
Coastal marshes
Dense hardwood and mixed forests (Correct answer)
Open grasslands

Correct answer: Dense hardwood and mixed forests

Black bears thrive in West Virginia's dense hardwood and mixed conifer forests, where they find abundant food and denning sites.

Question 2: What is the name of the document that serves as the supreme law of West Virginia state government?

The West Virginia Constitution (Correct answer)
The Enabling Act
The State Charter
The Mountain Compact

Correct answer: The West Virginia Constitution

The West Virginia Constitution, adopted in 1872, is the fundamental law governing the state, outlining the structure and limits of state government.

Question 3: Which mineral, once mined extensively in West Virginia's Lewisburg area, was used to make plaster and wallboard?

Gypsum (Correct answer)
Slate
Limestone
Granite

Correct answer: Gypsum

Gypsum deposits in the Greenbrier Valley were mined and processed into plaster of paris and building materials for much of the 20th century.

Question 4: Rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, in Pendleton County, is unique because the formation consists of what type of distinctive rock?

Quartzite fins rising nearly vertically (Correct answer)
Limestone towers
Granite domes
Sandstone arches

Correct answer: Quartzite fins rising nearly vertically

Seneca Rocks is composed of Tuscarora quartzite, forming dramatic near-vertical fins that rise 900 feet above the valley floor and attract climbers nationwide.

Question 5: The Blackwater Canyon in Tucker County is known for deposits of which type of coal that formed in ancient swamp forests?

Lignite
Cannel coal (Correct answer)
Anthracite
Peat

Correct answer: Cannel coal

The Blackwater Canyon area is rich in cannel coal, a waxy, oil-rich variety formed from compacted ancient plant spores in swamp environments.

Question 6: Hunting is a major tradition in West Virginia; which animal's season in November draws hunters from across the eastern US?

Black bear
White-tailed deer (Correct answer)
Pheasant
Wild turkey

Correct answer: White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer hunting season in November is a major cultural and economic event in West Virginia, with the state having one of the highest deer populations in the region.

Question 7: The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is based in which city?

Charleston (Correct answer)
Wheeling
Huntington
Morgantown

Correct answer: Charleston

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, one of the state's premier performing arts organizations, is headquartered in Charleston.

Question 8: What is the primary function of a county commission in West Virginia?

Regulating federal policies
Managing county government operations (Correct answer)
Enacting state laws
Overseeing state educational standards

Correct answer: Managing county government operations

In West Virginia, a county commission serves as the primary administrative and legislative body for the county government. Its main function is to manage the county's operations, including budgeting, levying taxes, overseeing county services, and enacting local ordinances. This makes them crucial for the day-to-day governance and well-being of the county's residents.

Question 9: Which distinctive West Virginia craft uses native hardwoods to create hand-carved functional objects like chairs and bowls?

Metalsmithing
Ceramics
Weaving
Woodworking (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Woodworking

Appalachian woodworking using native hardwoods such as cherry, walnut, and maple is a celebrated West Virginia craft tradition.

Question 10: Which animal serves as the official state animal of West Virginia?

Black Bear (Correct answer)
Mountain Lion
Eastern Elk
White-tailed Deer

Correct answer: Black Bear

The Black Bear is West Virginia's state animal, reflecting the state's wild, forested landscape where these animals are commonly found.

Question 11: The West Virginia Governor serves a term of how many years and is limited to how many consecutive terms?

2 years, 3 terms
4 years, unlimited terms
4 years, 2 consecutive terms (Correct answer)
6 years, 1 term

Correct answer: 4 years, 2 consecutive terms

The Governor of West Virginia serves a four-year term and is constitutionally limited to two consecutive terms, though non-consecutive additional terms are allowed.

Question 12: What is the primary purpose of the West Virginia Development Office?

To enforce tax laws
To attract and retain businesses in the state (Correct answer)
To regulate coal mining operations
To promote tourism

Correct answer: To attract and retain businesses in the state

The West Virginia Development Office (now part of the Department of Economic Development) has the primary purpose of fostering economic growth by attracting new businesses to the state and helping existing ones expand. This involves promoting West Virginia's advantages, offering incentives, and supporting job creation. Its goal is to diversify and strengthen the state's economy.

Question 13: Which of these rivers does NOT form part of West Virginia’s borders?

Shenandoah River
Ohio River
Potomac River
Monongahela River (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Monongahela River

The Monongahela River flows northward through West Virginia and Pennsylvania but does not form any part of West Virginia's state borders. In contrast, the Ohio River defines the state's western border, and the Potomac River forms a significant portion of its northern and eastern boundaries. The Shenandoah River, while important regionally, also does not delineate a state border for West Virginia.

Question 14: Which state agency is responsible for collecting West Virginia's state taxes?

Division of Finance
State Comptroller's Office
West Virginia Department of Revenue (Correct answer)
West Virginia Tax Commission

Correct answer: West Virginia Department of Revenue

The West Virginia Department of Revenue, through its State Tax Division, is responsible for administering and collecting state taxes.

Question 15: What traditional craft is West Virginia especially known for that involves weaving colorful patterns by hand?

Quilting (Correct answer)
Pottery
Glassblowing
Silversmithing

Correct answer: Quilting

West Virginia has a strong quilting tradition, with intricate hand-stitched quilts passed down through Appalachian families for generations.

Question 16: Which sector has seen significant growth in West Virginia’s economy in recent years?

Technology and innovation (Correct answer)
Coal mining
Agriculture
Manufacturing

Correct answer: Technology and innovation

In recent years, West Virginia has seen significant efforts and growth in the technology and innovation sector, aiming to diversify its economy beyond traditional industries like coal. Initiatives focus on areas like cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and remote work opportunities. This shift is crucial for creating new jobs and a more resilient economic future for the state.

Question 17: Which branch of West Virginia state government is headed by the Supreme Court of Appeals?

Executive branch
Administrative branch
Judicial branch (Correct answer)
Legislative branch

Correct answer: Judicial branch

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state and heads the judicial branch of West Virginia's state government.

Question 18: Which agricultural product is West Virginia most known for?

Tobacco
Corn
Apples (Correct answer)
Wheat

Correct answer: Apples

West Virginia is particularly known for its apple production, especially in the Eastern Panhandle region. The state's climate and soil conditions are well-suited for growing a variety of apple cultivars. Apple orchards contribute significantly to the state's agricultural economy and are a source of local pride.

Question 19: How are members of a county commission chosen in West Virginia?

Selected by state legislature
Chosen by a judicial panel
Appointed by the governor
Elected by county residents (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Elected by county residents

Members of a county commission in West Virginia are chosen through popular election by the residents of their respective counties. This democratic process ensures that commissioners are accountable to the local populace they serve. They typically serve staggered terms, providing continuity in county governance.

Question 20: Which instrument is most closely associated with West Virginia's traditional mountain music heritage?

Trumpet
Banjo
Piano
Fiddle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Fiddle

The fiddle is the cornerstone of West Virginia's mountain music tradition, central to square dances and old-time music gatherings.

Question 21: Don Knotts, best known for playing Barney Fife on 'The Andy Griffith Show,' was born in which West Virginia city?

Morgantown (Correct answer)
Huntington
Wheeling
Charleston

Correct answer: Morgantown

Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, WV, and became one of America's most beloved comedic actors, winning five Emmy Awards for his role as Barney Fife.

Question 22: Which West Virginia waterway is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world, predating the Appalachian Mountains themselves?

Greenbrier River
Cheat River
Elk River
New River (Correct answer)

Correct answer: New River

The New River is paradoxically one of the oldest rivers in the world, having carved its gorge before the Appalachians uplifted around it.

Question 23: Which industry has historically been the most significant to West Virginia’s economy?

Agriculture
Coal mining (Correct answer)
Technology
Tourism

Correct answer: Coal mining

Coal mining has historically been the most significant industry to West Virginia's economy, profoundly shaping its development, culture, and demographics. The state's vast coal reserves led to a booming industry that provided jobs and energy for the nation for over a century. Despite recent declines, its legacy remains deeply embedded in the state's identity.

Question 24: West Virginia's highest point, Spruce Knob, reaches approximately what elevation?

5,400 feet
4,863 feet (Correct answer)
6,684 feet
3,200 feet

Correct answer: 4,863 feet

Spruce Knob rises to 4,863 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in West Virginia and the entire Allegheny Mountain range.

Question 25: Which song holds the distinction of being West Virginia's FIRST official state song?

The West Virginia Hills (Correct answer)
Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Take Me Home, Country Roads
This Is My West Virginia

Correct answer: The West Virginia Hills

'The West Virginia Hills,' written by Ellen King and H. E. Engle, was the first song officially designated as a West Virginia state song.

Question 26: What is the official state insect of West Virginia?

Honeybee (Correct answer)
Monarch Butterfly
Cricket
Firefly

Correct answer: Honeybee

The Honeybee is West Virginia's state insect, recognized for its essential role in pollinating crops and producing honey.

Question 27: Which of the following regions is West Virginia part of?

Great Plains
Rocky Mountains
Coastal Plains
Appalachian Mountains (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Appalachian Mountains

West Virginia is almost entirely situated within the Appalachian Mountain range, which is why it's often called the 'Mountain State.' Its rugged topography, characterized by numerous hills, valleys, and ancient mountain formations, is a defining feature of this region. This geographical placement significantly influences the state's climate, culture, and economy.

Question 28: Jennifer Garner, the actress known for the TV show 'Alias,' was born in which West Virginia city?

Houston, TX but raised in Charleston, WV (Correct answer)
Fairmont
Parkersburg
Wheeling

Correct answer: Houston, TX but raised in Charleston, WV

Jennifer Garner was born in Houston, TX, but grew up in Charleston, WV, and considers herself a West Virginian.

Question 29: Which Native American tribe was the primary inhabitant of West Virginia before European settlement?

Sioux
Iroquois
Shawnee (Correct answer)
Cherokee

Correct answer: Shawnee

Before extensive European settlement, the Shawnee tribe was the primary Native American inhabitant of the region that would become West Virginia. They utilized the land for hunting and established villages along its rivers, playing a significant role in the area's early history. While other tribes had a presence, the Shawnee are most closely associated with the territory.

Question 30: What is the name of the major national forest that covers large portions of eastern West Virginia?

Allegheny National Forest
Jefferson National Forest
Monongahela National Forest (Correct answer)
George Washington National Forest

Correct answer: Monongahela National Forest

The Monongahela National Forest covers nearly 1 million acres in eastern West Virginia, protecting spruce forests, wetlands, and wilderness areas.

West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Award

The West Virginia Golden Horseshoe Award is an academic competition for 8th grade students that tests comprehensive knowledge of West Virginia history, geography, civics and government, culture, geology, economy, and tourism. Winners are the top scorers in each county.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

70%

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