Remember that giant, pull-down map at the front of your classroom? The one with the faded continents and the slightly mysterious, rolled-up scent? For many of us, that map was our first real window into a world far beyond our own neighborhood. We spent hours tracing borders with our fingers, memorizing state capitals for a test, and dreaming of places with names like Timbuktu and Kilimanjaro.
But how much of that foundational knowledge has stuck with you? We like to think we have the basics down, but you might be surprised at what has been forgotten, updated, or simply misremembered over the years. That’s why we’ve created a simple challenge: a geography quiz pulled straight from a standard 5th-grade curriculum.
Grab a piece of paper, put your thinking cap on, and let’s see if you’re smarter than a 5th grader. No peeking!
The Building Blocks: Continents & Oceans
Let’s start with the absolute fundamentals. A 5th grader should be able to identify the world’s largest landmasses and bodies of water. It sounds simple, but can you name all of them off the top of your head?
Quiz Question #1: Can you name all seven continents?
Take a moment… got them all? Don’t forget that one down south!
Answer: The seven continents are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
Fun Fact: Geographically, Europe and Asia are a single, continuous landmass known as Eurasia. The concept of seven distinct continents is based on a historical and cultural convention rather than a strict geological one!
Quiz Question #2: There are five officially recognized oceans. Can you name them?
This one trips up more adults than you’d think, especially since the “official” number changed in recent decades.
Answer: The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans.
Did you get it? Many of us learned only four oceans in school. The Southern Ocean, the body of water surrounding Antarctica, was officially recognized as the fifth ocean by the National Geographic Society in 2021, though geographers have long considered it distinct. A 5th grader today is learning this as standard fact!
A Trip Across the USA: States & Landmarks
For students in the United States, 5th grade is often a deep dive into national geography. This goes beyond just knowing the shape of Texas. Let’s see how you do.
Quiz Question #3: What is the capital of New York?
It’s a classic trick question. The most famous city isn’t always the seat of government.
Answer: The capital of New York is Albany.
Explanation: This is a great example of how capitals are often chosen for strategic, central, or historical reasons, rather than being the largest economic or cultural hub. The same is true for Sacramento (not Los Angeles) in California and Tallahassee (not Miami) in Florida.
Quiz Question #4: What is the longest river in the United States?
Everyone thinks of one mighty river, but there’s a slight catch.
Answer: The Missouri River is technically the longest river in the U.S., clocking in at approximately 2,341 miles.
Details, Details: The Mississippi River is often given this title, and it is indeed the most famous. However, the Missouri (a tributary of the Mississippi) is longer. When combined, the Mississippi-Missouri River system is the fourth-longest in the world. A sharp 5th grader would know the distinction!
Quiz Question #5: Which four U.S. states meet at the “Four Corners” monument?
This is the only spot in the entire country where four states touch. Can you picture the map?
Answer: The four states are Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. You can actually place a limb in each state at the very same time!
Around the World: Countries & Physical Features
Now let’s broaden our horizons. A 5th grader’s view of the world includes knowing key countries, landmarks, and major physical features that define our planet.
Quiz Question #6: What is the world’s largest hot desert?
Think vast, sandy, and incredibly hot. A famous cartoon coyote might run around a landscape like this.
Answer: The Sahara Desert in Northern Africa.
A Point of Clarification: We specify “hot desert” for a reason! The two largest deserts on Earth are actually polar deserts: the Antarctic and the Arctic. The Sahara is the third largest overall, but the largest of the hot, sandy variety we typically picture.
Quiz Question #7: The Amazon River is the largest river by volume, but which river is the longest in the world?
This is a classic piece of geographical trivia that you definitely covered in school.
Answer: The Nile River, flowing through northeastern Africa, is credited as the longest river in the world, stretching for about 4,132 miles.
Quiz Question #8: In which country would you find the ancient city of Petra?
Hint: It’s a stunning city carved directly into rose-red cliffs and was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Answer: Petra is located in the country of Jordan. While the Pyramids in Egypt get a lot of attention, Petra is one of the most breathtaking archaeological sites in the world.
Getting Technical: Geo-Lingo 101
Finally, a geography education isn’t complete without understanding the core concepts and vocabulary that help us describe the Earth.
Quiz Question #9: What is the key difference between a peninsula and an island?
They both stick out and are surrounded by a lot of water. But one key feature separates them.
Answer: An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water on all sides. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on most sides but remains connected to a larger mainland.
Easy Examples: Think of Australia (an island continent) versus Italy or Florida (both peninsulas).
Quiz Question #10: What is the Prime Meridian?
We all know the Equator divides the North and South, but what’s its equally important counterpart?
Answer: The Prime Meridian is the imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, passing through Greenwich, England. It marks 0° longitude and divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
So, How Did You Do?
If you breezed through with a perfect 10/10, congratulations! Your inner 5th grader is alive and well. If you stumbled on a few, you’re in good company. As adults, we often lose touch with these fundamental facts as our knowledge becomes more specialized.
But this little quiz is a great reminder that geography is more than just memorizing names on a map. It’s about understanding the physical and human canvas of our world—the rivers that feed civilizations, the mountains that separate them, and the imaginary lines we created to make sense of it all. It’s a living, breathing subject that’s still as fascinating today as it was when you first stared up at that giant, pull-down map.