A STROLL DOWN MAIN STREET
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
July 24, 2011
Will Shortz

The following words observe a certain pattern related to US Geography. Can you determine what it is?

1. MAIN
2. TREY
3. PITA
4. CORE
5. TA - DA
6. SALON
7. PROD
8. COMING
9. AUGUSTINE

HINT:
It has to do with states and their capitals.

Answers:

Each word can be broken at a certain point, such that the first group of letters will begin the name of the state's capital, and the second group of letters will end the state's name. A group of letters can have one or more letters in it. 

1. MAdison wisconsIN
2. TRenton new jersEY
3. PIerre south dakoTA
4. COncord new hampshiRE
5. TAllahassee floriDA 
6. SALem oregON
7. PROvidence rhode islanD
8. Cheyenne wyOMING
9. AUGUSTa maINE