1: What is Portland, Oregon’s nickname that reflects its association with a particular flower?
A: Tree City
B: City of Roses
C: Flower Town
D: Blossom City
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Portland has been called the “City of Roses” for over a century due to its ideal climate for growing roses.
2: In what year was Portland, Oregon founded?
A: 1776
B: 1804
C: 1845
D: 1901
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland was founded in 1845, making it 179 years old as of 2024.
3: Which two rivers meet in Portland?
A: Willamette and Columbia
B: Mississippi and Ohio
C: Hudson and East
D: Snake and Salmon
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Portland is situated where the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet, providing an advantageous location for transportation and trade.
4: Who is the current mayor of Portland as of 2024?
A: Charlie Hales
B: Ted Wheeler
C: Sam Adams
D: Vera Katz
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ted Wheeler is the mayor of Portland, guiding the city’s commission-based government.
5: What is the elevation of downtown Portland, making it relatively flat?
A: 50 ft
B: 161 ft
C: 250 ft
D: 523 ft
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Downtown Portland is situated at an elevation of 161 feet.
6: What major event caused massive floods in Portland during the prehistoric period?
A: Tornado
B: Lake Missoula glacial dams collapse
C: Earthquake
D: Volcanic eruption
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The collapse of glacial dams from Lake Missoula caused massive floods in Portland during the prehistoric period.
7: Which nickname did Portland earn due to its growing liberal and progressive political values starting in the 1960s?
A: Tree City
B: Liberal City
C: Counterculture Hub
D: Stumptown
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland became noted for its growing liberal and progressive political values, earning a reputation as a bastion of counterculture.
8: What was the major factor behind Portland’s early economic growth?
A: Technology industry
B: Timber industry
C: Automobile manufacturing
D: Gold mining
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The timber industry was a major force in Portland’s early economy, helping the city grow rapidly.
9: How did Portland get its name?
A: Voted by community members
B: Named after a famous explorer
C: Named via a coin toss
D: Named by the government
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland got its name after a coin toss between founders Asa Lovejoy and Francis W. Pettygrove, who wanted to name it after their respective hometowns, Boston and Portland, Maine.
10: What catastrophic event struck downtown Portland in August 1873?
A: Tsunami
B: Earthquake
C: Major fire
D: Severe snowstorm
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A major fire swept through downtown Portland, destroying 20 blocks and causing $1.3 million in damages.
11: What is Portland’s highest point within city limits?
A: Council Crest Park
B: Mount Hood
C: Rocky Butte
D: Palatine Hill
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Council Crest Park, at 1,073 feet, is often quoted as the highest point in Portland.
12: What natural disaster significantly affected Portland in the 1980s?
A: Flood
B: Earthquake
C: Volcanic eruption
D: Hurricane
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland was dusted with volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
13: What contributed to Portland’s post-World War II population surge?
A: Entertainment industry
B: Shipbuilding contracts
C: Gold rush
D: Oil discovery
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Henry J. Kaiser’s shipbuilding contracts during World War II led to a significant population surge in Portland.
14: In the late 20th century, which industry began to thrive in Portland?
A: Technology
B: Film
C: Automotive
D: Agricultural
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The technology industry began to thrive in Portland, especially with the establishment of companies such as Intel.
15: What climate classification does Portland have?
A: Tropical
B: Desert
C: Mediterranean
D: Tundra
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters.
16: Portland is known for an annual festival celebrating what type of music?
A: Jazz
B: Rock
C: Classical
D: Indie
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Portland has a vibrant indie music scene and is known for festivals celebrating this genre.
17: Which year did the major geographical renumbering and renaming of Portland streets take place?
A: 1891
B: 1931
C: 1965
D: 2000
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Great Renumbering, which standardized street names and addresses, took place in 1931.
18: Which Portland neighborhood is known for its upscale art galleries and retail stores?
A: Alberta Arts District
B: St. Johns
C: Pearl District
D: Hawthorne
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Pearl District is known for its upscale art galleries, restaurants, and retail stores.
19: What nickname does the Portland area reserve for itself due to its trail networks and outdoor culture?
A: Trail Town
B: Rip City
C: Hiking Hub
D: Silicon Forest
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Portland is nicknamed the Silicon Forest due to its high density of technology companies integrated with its outdoor culture.
20: What significant environmental law affects Portland’s urban development?
A: National Environmental Policy Act
B: Clean Water Act
C: Urban Growth Boundary Law
D: Coastal Zone Management Act
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundary law limits where urban development can occur, preserving rural land and concentrating urban growth.
21: What was Portland historically known for regarding crime?
A: Highest theft rate
B: Organized crime and racketeering
C: High white-collar crime
D: Corruption in judiciary
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: At the turn of the 20th century, Portland was known as a hub for organized crime and racketeering.
22: What type of government structure does Portland have?
A: Mayor-Council
B: City Council
C: Commission-based
D: Responsibly governed district
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland operates with a commission-based government, where the mayor and commissioners each oversee different city bureaus.
23: How did the Portland Penny decide the city’s name?
A: Betting game
B: Coin toss
C: Triple draw
D: Secret ballot
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Portland Penny, used in a coin toss, determined that the city would be named Portland after Portland, Maine, instead of Boston.
24: What kind of planning organization is Metro, unique to Portland?
A: National agency
B: Statewide Planning Council
C: Directly-elected metropolitan planning organization
D: Local government advisory panel
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Metro is the only directly-elected metropolitan planning organization in the United States.
25: Which Portland bridge is known as the first new bridge since 1973?
A: Steel Bridge
B: Fremont Bridge
C: Tilikum Crossing
D: St. Johns Bridge
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Tilikum Crossing, opened in 2015, is the first new bridge in Portland since 1973.
26: What is the name of the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest located in Portland?
A: City Hall
B: Pioneer Courthouse
C: Union Station
D: OHSU Tower
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Pioneer Courthouse, built in 1869, is the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest.
27: What year did Portland experience its lowest recorded temperature of -3°F?
A: 1990
B: 1950
C: 1924
D: 1888
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The lowest overnight temperature recorded in Portland was -3°F on February 2, 1950.
28: What form of natural feature is Mount Tabor, located in Portland’s east side?
A: Glacier
B: Cinder cone
C: Waterfall
D: Limestone ridge
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Mount Tabor is an extinct volcanic cinder cone located in Southeast Portland.
29: Which area outside of Portland has named the Boring Lava Field after it?
A: Hillsboro
B: Tualatin
C: Boring
D: Gresham
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Boring Lava Field is named after the nearby community of Boring, Oregon.
30: What is the name of the annual summer event in Portland celebrating craft beer?
A: Portland Brew Fest
B: Great Oregon Beer Bash
C: Oregon Brewers Festival
D: Willamette Beer Gala
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Oregon Brewers Festival, held each summer, is the largest outdoor craft beer festival in North America.
31: Which Portland public institution was the first youth orchestra in the United States?
A: Portland Symphony
B: Portland Youth Philharmonic
C: Rose City Youth Orchestra
D: Oregon Symphony
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Portland Youth Philharmonic, established in 1924, was the first youth orchestra in the United States.
32: Name the prominent technology company with a significant presence in Portland.
A: Microsoft
B: Google
C: Intel
D: Apple
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Intel has a significant presence in the Portland metro area, being one of its largest employers.
33: What event did the George Floyd protests in Portland primarily concern?
A: Economic inequality
B: Gun control
C: Racial injustice and police brutality
D: Climate change
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The George Floyd protests in Portland were primarily focused on racial injustice and police brutality.
34: Which zone represents Portland’s USDA Plant Hardiness as within Downtown?
A: 7b
B: 8b
C: 9a
D: 6a
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland’s Downtown falls within the USDA Plant Hardiness zone 9a.
35: What is Portland’s significant volcanic origin area called?
A: West Coast Lava Basin
B: Boring Lava Field
C: Portland Volcanic Region
D: Cascade Lava Area
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Portland lies on top of the dormant Boring Lava Field.
36: Which street grid system maximum blocks follow numerical addresses per block renamed in 1931?
A: 50 blocks
B: 80 blocks
C: 20 blocks
D: 100 blocks
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Great Renumbering in Portland set house numbers from 20 per block to 100 per block.
37: In what year did Portland hold its first Pride festival?
A: 1965
B: 1975
C: 1983
D: 1990
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Portland’s first Pride festival took place in 1975 on the Portland State University campus.
38: Which Portland neighborhood is known historically for its ethnic diversity and economic disparity?
A: Nob Hill
B: Pearl District
C: St. Johns
D: South Waterfront
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The St. Johns neighborhood in North Portland is historically one of the city’s most ethnically diverse and poorest neighborhoods.
39: What was the focus of Portland’s streetcars introduced in 2012?
A: Transporting goods
B: Interstate travel
C: Linking residential areas
D: Loop service expansion
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The streetcars introduced in 2012 completed a loop to connect the tracks on the east side of the river with those on the west side.
40: Who is the prominent coach of the disbanded Nike Oregon Project caused by a doping ban?
A: Alberto Salazar
B: Steve Prefontaine
C: Mark Parker
D: Phil Knight
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Nike Oregon Project, central to elite running in Portland, was disbanded following a doping ban of coach Alberto Salazar.
41: Which Portland-based TV series satirized the city’s lifestyle starting in 2011?
A: Grimm
B: Leverage
C: Portlandia
D: Nowhere Man
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: “Portlandia,” which aired from 2011 to 2018, satirized the lifestyle and culture of Portland.
42: What annual Portland event allows cyclists to ride naked as a form of protest?
A: Naked Freedom Ride
B: Portland Freewheel
C: World Naked Bike Ride
D: Independence Pedal Parade
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride permits cyclists to protest against car culture and fossil fuel dependency.
43: The primary source of Portland’s drinking water comes from which watershed?
A: Willamette Watershed
B: Columbia Source
C: Bull Run Watershed
D: Cascade Springs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Bull Run Watershed is the main source of drinking water for Portland.
44: What significant historic structure in Portland serves as a federal building since 1869?
A: Liberty Hall
B: Pioneer Courthouse
C: Fort Vancouver
D: Veteran Memorial
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Pioneer Courthouse built in 1869, is the oldest federal building in the Pacific Northwest.
45: In what year did Portland experience its record all-time high temperature of 116°F?
A: 1981
B: 1995
C: 2021
D: 2022
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland recorded an all-time high temperature of 116°F on June 28, 2021.
46: By what percent did Portland’s population grow between 2000 and 2014?
A: 15,000
B: Over 50,000
C: Over 90,000
D: 25,000
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland’s population rose by over 90,000 between the years 2000 and 2014.
47: Portland is home to how many breweries/microbreweries?
A: 24
B: 55
C: 95
D: 139
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: As of December 2018, Portland was home to 139 breweries/microbreweries.
48: How did Portland manage to earn the nickname “Stumptown” in its early years?
A: Due to its timber industry
B: Because of mining activities
C: Following industrialization
D: From agricultural growth
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Portland was nicknamed “Stumptown” because of the large number of trees cut down to allow for its early settlement’s growth.
49: Which two U.S. Senators are from Portland?
A: Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders
B: Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley
C: Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein
D: Cory Booker and Tim Kaine
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Both of Oregon’s senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, are from Portland.
50: Portland’s average annual snowfall is typically how many inches?
A: 10.5 inches
B: 4.3 inches
C: 6.0 inches
D: 7.5 inches
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The city of Portland experiences an average annual snowfall of 4.3 inches.
51: Portland’s Japantown was known primarily for what industry in the early 20th century?
A: Maritime trade
B: Textile manufacturing
C: Lumber industry
D: Agricultural produce
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Portland’s Japantown grew significantly due to the city’s early reliance on textile manufacturing and trading with Japan.
52: The climate in Portland creates perfect conditions for growing which type of flower?
A: Lilies
B: Orchids
C: Roses
D: Tulips
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland’s climate is highly conducive to growing roses, earning it the title “City of Roses.”
53: What kind of crime was Portland notorious for in the early 20th century?
A: Cybercrimes
B: Racketeering
C: Identity theft
D: Embezzlement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: In the early 20th century, Portland was notorious for being a hub of organized crime and racketeering.
54: Portland’s interstate bridge provides access to which U.S. state?
A: California
B: Idaho
C: Nevada
D: Washington
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Interstate Bridge provides access from Portland, Oregon, across the Columbia River into Washington state.
55: Which ethnic group grew fastest in the Portland area during the 1970s?
A: Chinese
B: Pacific Islanders
C: Vietnamese
D: Mexican
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: By the 1970s, the Mexican community was growing rapidly in the Portland area, contributing to a wider ethnic diversity.
56: As of 2022, how many major league sports franchises does Portland, Oregon, host?
A: One
B: Two
C: Three
D: Four
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland is home to three major league sports franchises: the Portland Trail Blazers, the Portland Timbers, and the Portland Thorns FC.
57: What is the current zoning sector count of Portland?
A: Four quadrants
B: Five general districts
C: Six sextants
D: Ten regions
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Portland is now divided into six addressing sections or sextants: N, NW, NE, S, SE, and SW.
58: Where does the lengthy Hood to Coast Relay long-distance race culminate?
A: Mount Hood
B: Central Park
C: Rainer Beach
D: Cannon Beach
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Hood to Coast Relay, held annually, culminates at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast.
59: The NRA’s annual oldest-running non-major tournament in the LPGA Tour is based in which Portland suburb?
A: Lake Oswego
B: West Linn
C: Gresham
D: Beaverton
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Cambia Portland Classic, held in September, is the longest-running non-major tournament on the LPGA Tour, played in the southern suburb of West Linn.
60: Which educational institution founded in 1869 holds the title for the oldest high school in Portland?
A: Lincoln High School
B: Cleveland High School
C: Reed College
D: Grant High School
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Established in 1869, Lincoln High School is the oldest public high school in Portland.
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