Is Memphis a state?

Today all of my classes went to the library to dive into some research. Yesterday and today, we focused on getting specific topics and researching only those topics and nothing else. I told them to get into groups of three and choose any country in the world, then focus on something very specific about the country (Mexican food, Canadian sports, Italian fashion, etc.)

First problem, a lot of the girls didn't know any countries past the United States and an embarrassing majority of them thought that Africa is a country.

The most terrible conversation of them all went as follows:

CG: "Hey, Mr. Lowe, we need your help. Is Memphis a state?"

Me: "Is Memphis a state? No."

At this point, I thought they were kidding. They are 14 years old. 14 years old. I soon realized that they were dead serious.

BJ: "Well, then, what is it?"

Me: "It's a city in Tennessee."

BJ: "So Tennessee is a country?"

Me: "No, it's a state. What country do you live in?"

The three of them looked at each other doubtfully and uncomfortably.

Me: "What is the name of our country?"

KM: "Don't we live in (she mumbled something)?"

BJ: "Yeah, what she said."

Me: "Ladies, what's the name of the country that you are in right now?"

KM: "Is it the Uni...ted States?"

Me: "Yes, yes it is the United States. Ladies, it should not have taken you that long to answer that question."

14 years old. 14 years old.