Comments on: Weekend Genius Challenge: Win a T-shirt at ‘State’ College

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:37:32 +0000

You’re right, Andrew — there are small single stars on those two flags as well (as part of the state seal that appears on them).

The stars on the other flags aren’t part of those seals, but we should have made the distinction. My bad!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:54:21 +0000

What about Maine and Massachusetts…I thought their flags only had one star.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:39:28 +0000

And we have a winner! (In fact, we have two.) Here are the answers as we had them written:

1) The only states to ratify the Constitution in the 20th century
2) The only states to border a Great Lake
3) The only states whose name contain consecutive double letters
4) The only states whose capital cities start with the same letter as the state
5) The only states whose flags depict a single star

Rachel wins a T-shirt for matching our answer almost exactly. Alex’s answer to #1 is a perfectly legitimate answer and uses the word “only” as we had specified, so Alex receives a shirt as well.

Ken, you were close, but your answer for #1 used “last” instead of “only.” Remember, we’re not looking for these states as part of a list, but as “the only states” that have something in common. But, because I’m in a good mood and I want you all to tell everyone you know how much fun this was, you earn a shirt as well. (I have a feeling that the cost for that one will be coming out of my pocket. Oh, well!)

Thanks for playing, everyone! If you’d like more of these or other brainteasers and puzzles, add a comment to this post and let us know.

By: alex naser

alex naser — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:14:33 +0000

i’m certainly willing to fight for my first post’s answer to #1. those states are indeed the only states to have state quarters released in 2008. i want my rhesus shirt!

thanks for such a fresh website and mag!

By: alex naser

alex naser — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:08:46 +0000

1. the only states to enter the union in the 20th century
2. the only states to border at least one great lake
3. the only states whose names contain double letters
4. the only states with capitals that start with the same letter as the state
5. the only states to feature a single star on their state flags

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:05:46 +0000

1. The only states to be admitted to the Union after 1900.
2. The only states that border at least one Great Lake.
3. The only states with double letters in their names.
4. The only states whose capitals begin with the same letter as the state does.
5. The only states whose flags have just one star on them.

By: kricket

kricket — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:01:10 +0000

Haven’t looked much at the rest, but I think precisely what they’re looking for on number one is that they’re the only five admitted in the 20th century right?

By: NewMexiKen

NewMexiKen — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:47:02 +0000

1. Last five admitted.
2. Great Lakes coastline.
3. Double letter in name.
4. Two pairs of vowels in name.
5. Single star in flag (thanks alex).

By: Sandy

Sandy — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:44:56 +0000

Sure; you’re free to do it however you like, but the winner will be the first person to get all five correct in the same post. So by posting a single correct one, you may give it away to someone else who hasn’t already figured it out. But that’s okay. Whatever works!

By: NewMexiKen

NewMexiKen — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:42:46 +0000

1. Last five admitted.
2. Great Lakes coastline.
3. Double letter in name.
4. Two pairs of vowels in name.
5. Five states that have something unique in common that is extremely difficult to figure out.