The Willis Tower stands as a defining symbol of Chicago’s skyline. For decades, this massive skyscraper held the record for the tallest building in the world.
This quiz looks at the engineering behind its bundled-tube design and the history of its name. You will see questions about its dimensions, the famous Skydeck, and the construction timeline.
Once you finish, explore other skyscrapers and towers around the globe. We also have quizzes on cities of the world and famous architects.
In which U.S. city is the Willis Tower located?
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
New York City
New York City
Houston
Houston
Chicago
Chicago
What was the original name of the Willis Tower when it opened in 1973?
Chrysler Building
Chrysler Building
Empire State Building
Empire State Building
Sears Tower
Sears Tower
John Hancock Center
John Hancock Center
How many floors does the Willis Tower officially have?
100 stories
100 stories
105 stories
105 stories
110 stories
110 stories
115 stories
115 stories
In what year was the construction of the Willis Tower completed?
1977
1977
1973
1973
1971
1971
1975
1975
What is the name of the popular observation deck located on the 103rd floor?
Observation Deck
Observation Deck
Skydeck
Skydeck
Cloud City
Cloud City
Summit View
Summit View
Which architectural firm designed the Willis Tower?
Perkins&Will
Perkins&Will
Gensler
Gensler
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners
What innovative structural engineering system was used to design the tower?
Bundled-tube structure
Bundled-tube structure
Cantilevered truss design
Cantilevered truss design
Suspension cable design
Suspension cable design
Exoskeleton grid system
Exoskeleton grid system
Which celebrated structural engineer is credited with developing the bundled-tube design for the tower?
Bruce Graham
Bruce Graham
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Louis Sullivan
Louis Sullivan
Fazlur Rahman Khan
Fazlur Rahman Khan
During which years did the tower hold the title of the world’s tallest building?
1975 to 2000
1975 to 2000
1980 to 2005
1980 to 2005
1973 to 1998
1973 to 1998
1973 to 2010
1973 to 2010
Which building officially surpassed the tower in 1998 to become the world’s tallest?
Taipei 101
Taipei 101
Burj Khalifa
Burj Khalifa
World Trade Center (New York)
World Trade Center (New York)
Petronas Towers
Petronas Towers
The Willis Tower’s structural frame is primarily made of what material?
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Steel
Steel
Aluminum composite
Aluminum composite
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer
Carbon fiber reinforced polymer
In what year were the iconic glass floor balconies (The Ledge) added to the Skydeck?
2009
2009
2007
2007
2008
2008
2010
2010
What is the structural roof height of the Willis Tower (excluding antennas)?
1,500 feet
1,500 feet
1,400 feet
1,400 feet
1,450 feet
1,450 feet
1,350 feet
1,350 feet
Before being renamed in 2009, the tower was named after which retail company?
Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Woolworth
Woolworth
Montgomery Ward
Montgomery Ward
J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
How many glass-bottomed ‘Ledge’ boxes currently extend out from the 103rd floor?
5 retractable boxes
5 retractable boxes
3 retractable boxes
3 retractable boxes
4 retractable boxes
4 retractable boxes
2 retractable boxes
2 retractable boxes
Approximately how far do the glass boxes of The Ledge extend out from the building’s facade?
4.8 feet
4.8 feet
5.8 feet
5.8 feet
5.3 feet
5.3 feet
4.3 feet
4.3 feet
The bundled-tube design was specifically chosen as a solution to provide rigidity against what environmental force?
Weight of the elevators
Weight of the elevators
Winds at high altitudes
Winds at high altitudes
Ground subsidence prevention
Ground subsidence prevention
Earthquake resistance codes
Earthquake resistance codes
The tower design consists of how many “bundled” tubes that form its floor plates?
8 square tubes
8 square tubes
7 square tubes
7 square tubes
10 square tubes
10 square tubes
9 square tubes
9 square tubes
What is the approximate weight capacity of a single glass box on the Skydeck?
Approximately 11,000 pounds
Approximately 11,000 pounds
Approximately 8,000 pounds
Approximately 8,000 pounds
Approximately 9,000 pounds
Approximately 9,000 pounds
Approximately 10,000 pounds
Approximately 10,000 pounds
What gives the Willis Tower its distinct, dark exterior appearance?
Polished granite cladding and tinted windows
Polished granite cladding and tinted windows
Black anodized aluminum and bronze-tinted glass
Black anodized aluminum and bronze-tinted glass
Stainless steel panels and clear glass
Stainless steel panels and clear glass
Limestone blocks and reflective glass
Limestone blocks and reflective glass
What was the primary reason for the addition of the long-standing antenna structures on top of the tower?
Installation of heavy telecommunications equipment
Installation of heavy telecommunications equipment
Maintenance required for glass cleaning
Maintenance required for glass cleaning
1990s movie sets
1990s movie sets
Changes in safety regulations
Changes in safety regulations
What was the primary business driver for building such a massive structure in downtown Chicago in the early 1970s?
A city-wide competition for the tallest structure
A city-wide competition for the tallest structure
The company’s desire to consolidate its distributed workforce
The company’s desire to consolidate its distributed workforce
City planning regulations
City planning regulations
Chicago Cubs fans
Chicago Cubs fans
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If you enjoyed this, check out our trivia on famous landmarks. You can also test your knowledge on famous buildings or learn more about complex bridges and engineering.
