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Canadian citizenship practice test 16

20 questions drawn from Discover Canada, the official study guide, in the format of the citizenship test: multiple choice and true or false, with 15 correct answers needed to pass. The real test allows 45 minutes; aim to finish this one in 30.

16 multiple-choice and 4 true-or-false questions · free, no account needed · answers explained

The 20 questions

  1. In the 1830s, what did reformers in Upper and Lower Canada believe?

    1. That progress toward full democracy was too slow
    2. That the colonies should return to French rule
    3. That the elected assemblies should be abolished
    4. That only landowners should be allowed to vote
    Show answer

    Answer: That progress toward full democracy was too slow. In the 1830s, reformers in Upper and Lower Canada believed progress toward full democracy was too slow. Some favoured American republican values or even joining the United States.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  2. What did Lord Durham recommend after the rebellions of 1837–38?

    1. Uniting Upper and Lower Canada and granting responsible government
    2. Joining the United States
    3. Giving the vote to all men and women
    4. Abolishing the elected assemblies
    Show answer

    Answer: Uniting Upper and Lower Canada and granting responsible government. Durham recommended that Upper and Lower Canada be merged and given responsible government.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  3. Under responsible government, when must a ministry resign?

    1. When the Sovereign requests a new election
    2. When the Senate rejects a bill
    3. When a new Governor General is appointed
    4. When it loses a confidence vote in the elected assembly
    Show answer

    Answer: When it loses a confidence vote in the elected assembly. Responsible government means the ministry must keep the support of a majority of the elected representatives, and must resign if it loses a confidence vote.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  4. Which was the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government?

    1. The Province of Canada
    2. Nova Scotia
    3. New Brunswick
    4. Upper Canada
    Show answer

    Answer: Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia was the first British North American colony to attain full responsible government, in 1847–48. United Canada followed in 1848–49 under Lord Elgin.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  5. In Canada, the Sovereign is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. As a constitutional monarchy, Canada's head of state is the Sovereign while the Prime Minister leads the government.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  6. Who represents the Sovereign in each province?

    1. The Premier
    2. The Lieutenant Governor
    3. The province's senior Senator
    4. The Speaker of the legislature
    Show answer

    Answer: The Lieutenant Governor. A Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each province.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  7. Which country is Canada's largest trading partner?

    1. The United Kingdom
    2. China
    3. Mexico
    4. The United States
    Show answer

    Answer: The United States. The United States is Canada's largest trading partner, and millions of Canadian jobs depend on that trade.

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  8. In what year was the current maple leaf flag raised for the first time?

    1. 1965
    2. 1867
    3. 1982
    4. 1931
    Show answer

    Answer: 1965. The new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  9. In Canada, people accused of a crime must prove their own innocence.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty; the burden of proof is on the prosecution.

    Study this in The justice system.

  10. Why is Joseph Howe remembered in Canadian history?

    1. He was Canada's first Prime Minister
    2. He led the 1837 rebellion in Upper Canada
    3. He was a champion of responsible government in Nova Scotia
    4. He was Canada's first Governor General
    Show answer

    Answer: He was a champion of responsible government in Nova Scotia. Joseph Howe, a Nova Scotia journalist and politician, campaigned peacefully and helped win responsible government for his colony.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  11. Which of the following is a responsibility of Canadian citizenship?

    1. Owning property
    2. Serving on a jury when asked
    3. Joining a political party
    4. Working for the government
    Show answer

    Answer: Serving on a jury when asked. Serving on a jury when called upon is a citizenship responsibility; the jury system depends on citizens taking part.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  12. What is the capital city of Canada?

    1. Toronto
    2. Montreal
    3. Vancouver
    4. Ottawa
    Show answer

    Answer: Ottawa. Ottawa, chosen as capital by Queen Victoria in 1857, is the capital of Canada.

    Study this in Canada’s regions.

  13. What are the three parts of Parliament?

    1. The Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the civil service
    2. The House of Commons, the Senate and the Supreme Court
    3. The federal, provincial and municipal governments
    4. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons
    Show answer

    Answer: The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons. Parliament consists of the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  14. More than 75 percent of working Canadians have jobs in service industries.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. Service industries employ more than 75 percent of working Canadians.

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  15. Which of the following describes who may vote in a federal election?

    1. Anyone 21 or older who owns property
    2. Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on voting day
    3. Anyone who has lived in Canada for ten years
    4. Permanent residents who are at least 18 years old
    Show answer

    Answer: Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on voting day. To vote you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 on voting day, and on the voters' list.

    Study this in Federal elections.

  16. What happened to Upper and Lower Canada in 1840?

    1. Gave women the right to vote
    2. Created the Dominion of Canada
    3. United Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada
    4. Ended the seigneurial system of landholding
    Show answer

    Answer: United Upper and Lower Canada into the Province of Canada. In 1840, Upper and Lower Canada were united as the Province of Canada.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  17. What is the highest court in Canada?

    1. The Supreme Court of Canada
    2. The Federal Court
    3. A provincial court of appeal
    4. The Senate
    Show answer

    Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada is the country's highest court.

    Study this in The justice system.

  18. The Union Jack has no official status in Canada.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. False. Discover Canada calls the Union Jack Canada’s official Royal Flag.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  19. Who chooses the Cabinet ministers?

    1. The Governor General acting alone
    2. The House of Commons by a vote
    3. The Prime Minister
    4. The Senate
    Show answer

    Answer: The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers, who are responsible for running the federal government.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  20. What did Canada enact with the United States in 1988?

    1. Free trade
    2. A shared currency
    3. A joint parliament
    4. A military draft
    Show answer

    Answer: Free trade. In 1988 Canada enacted free trade with the United States. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) added Mexico in 1994.

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

What your score means

15 or more correct is a pass. Below that, open the questions you missed and follow the link under each answer: the test is drawn entirely from Discover Canada, so the chapter it points to is exactly what to revise. A score that is a pass here is a good sign, not a guarantee; the real test draws different questions from the same guide.

More practice

Questions are written from the Government of Canada study guide, Discover Canada, which is the authority on what the test covers. They are practice questions, not the official test.