Classifying the States Name_____________________
Today, you will be classifying various states in the United States using a taxonomic key. A taxonomic or classification key is a listing of specific characteristics. For this activity, you will need a map of the United States. Feel free to use other reference materials as well.
Read each phrase and follow the directions given. Write the name of the state on the line provided. Choose your answers from the following list.
Arkansas Kentucky New York
California Louisiana North Carolina
Colorado Minnesota Tennessee
Illinois Missouri Wisconsin
Iowa Mississippi
1. A. Borders on the Mississippi River .Go to 2
B. Does not border on the Mississippi River ..Go to 11
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2. A. Begins with the letter M ... Go to 3
B. Does not begin with the letter M ..Go to 5
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3. A. Shares a border with Tennessee Go to 4
B. Does not share a border with Tennessee ..____________________
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4. A. Its capital is Jackson ..____________________________
B. Its capital is not Jackson ____________________________
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5. A. Has 8 or more letters in its name . .Go to 6
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6. A. Entire state lies south of 40 degrees latitude Go to 7
B. Entire state does not lie south of 40 degrees latitude Go to 10
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7. A. Borders on the Gulf of Mexico __________________________
B. Does not border on the Gulf of Mexico Go to 8
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8. A. Is East of the Mississippi River Go to 9
B. Is West of the Mississippi River ..__________________________
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9. A. Is nicknamed the Volunteer State ..______________________
B. Is not nicknamed the Volunteer State.._____________________
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10. A. Is well-known for dairy products .._________________________
B. Is not well-known for dairy products ..______________________
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11. A. Was one of the original 13 colonies .Go to 12
B. Was not one of the original 13 colonies ...Go to 13
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12. A. Borders on the Great Lakes ..______________________________
B. Does not border on the Great Lakes .._______________________
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13. A. Contains the Sierra Nevada Mountains .._____________________
B. Does not contain the Sierra Nevada Mountains ..______________