How Well Do You Know About Mount Rushmore? Check Quiz Questions With Answers and Facts

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of the most revered landmarks in the United States and is carved from granite in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The monument features the 60-foot high faces of four of our most honored U.S. Presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, commemorating their respective contributions to the creation, growth, preservation, and development of the United States. Millions of people visit Mount Rushmore every year to witness its magnificence and its historical relevance. 

So, how much do you actually know about this marvelous monument? There is more to it than the famous faces. There is an interesting story about how it was created, the people involved, and the details that make the monument unique. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge and explore some lesser-known facts about Mount Rushmore. Whether you are a history addict or you just want to know more about this famous icon, you have come to the right place!

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How Well Do You Know Mount Rushmore? 

Let's begin with questions to test your knowledge of this monumental work of art.

Question 1: Which U.S. state is Mount Rushmore located in?

a) Colorado

b) Wyoming

c) South Dakota

d) Montana

Answer: c) South Dakota

Explanation: Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, near the town of Keystone.

Question 2: Who was the chief sculptor responsible for carving Mount Rushmore?

a) Augustus Saint-Gaudens

b) Gutzon Borglum

c) Daniel Chester French

d) Alexander Calder

Answer: b) Gutzon Borglum

Explanation: Gutzon Borglum was the visionary artist and chief sculptor who oversaw the monumental task of carving the faces into the granite

Question 3: Which president was originally intended to be placed to Washington's right?

a) Theodore Roosevelt

b) Abraham Lincoln

c) Thomas Jefferson

d) Andrew Jackson

Answer: c) Thomas Jefferson

Explanation: Thomas Jefferson was initially placed on Washington's right, but cracks in the granite led to his unfinished face being blasted away.

Question 4: How tall are the faces of the presidents on Mount Rushmore?

a) 30 feet

b) 60 feet

c) 90 feet

d) 120 feet

Answer: b) 60 feet

Explanation: The faces of the four presidents are 60 feet tall, as measured from chin to hairline. Each president's head is about 18 feet wide, and their noses are all over 20 feet long.

Question 5: What was the primary tool used by the workers to carve the faces on Mount Rushmore?

a) Hand chisels and hammers

b) Jackhammers and dynamite

c) Lasers

d) Power saws

Answer: b) Jackhammers and dynamite

Explanation: To cut away the large pieces of rock, the sculptors used dynamite. Then they carved and refined the features of the faces using jackhammers, drills, and chisels. 

Question 6: Which of these presidents on Mount Rushmore is known for his role in the Louisiana Purchase?

a) George Washington

b) Thomas Jefferson

c) Theodore Roosevelt

d) Abraham Lincoln

Answer: b) Thomas Jefferson

Explanation: Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is also recognized as the person who orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 which increased the size of the United States greatly.

Question 7: How long did it take to complete the carving of Mount Rushmore, from start to finish?

a) 5 years

b) 14 years

c) 25 years

d) 42 years

Answer: b) 14 years

Explanation: The carving of Mount Rushmore began in 1927 and was mostly completed in 1941, taking 14 years total. 

Question 8: What natural event has caused the most significant weathering to the faces of Mount Rushmore over time?

a) Earthquakes

b) Volcanic eruptions

c) Wind and water erosion

d) Extreme temperatures

Answer: c) Wind and water erosion

Explanation: While the granite is extremely durable over time wind, rain, snow, and ice have eroded the granite over the decades. There is a need for ongoing maintenance and crack sealing.

Question 9: What was the original purpose proposed for the carving project in the Black Hills before it became Mount Rushmore?

a) To depict famous Native American leaders

b) To create a "Hall of Records" inside the mountain

c) To attract tourism to South Dakota

d) To honor local pioneers

Answer: c) To attract tourism to South Dakota

Explanation: The larger-than-life sculpture was the idea of South Dakota historian Doane Robinson who had the idea for a monument that would attract tourists to South Dakota.

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Question 10: Which president on Mount Rushmore is primarily honoured for his leadership during the Civil War and the preservation of the Union?

a) George Washington

b) Thomas Jefferson

c) Theodore Roosevelt

d) Abraham Lincoln

Answer: d) Abraham Lincoln

Explanation: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is regarded as a pivotal leader during the American Civil War, as the president who led the effort to abolish slavery, and quite simply a man who fought most vigorously to preserve the United States of America as one nation.