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Canadian citizenship practice test 17

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. Why did the armed rebellions of 1837–38 fail?

    1. The rebels did not have enough public support
    2. The rebels ran out of money and weapons
    3. The United States sent troops to stop them
    4. The rebels signed a peace treaty with Britain
    Show answer

    Answer: The rebels did not have enough public support. The rebels did not have enough public support to succeed. They were defeated by British troops and Canadian volunteers; some were hanged or exiled.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  2. In a system of responsible government, to whom is the government responsible?

    1. The Sovereign personally
    2. The British Parliament
    3. The courts
    4. The elected representatives of the people
    Show answer

    Answer: The elected representatives of the people. Responsible government means ministers must retain the confidence of the people's elected representatives.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  3. Lord Durham recommended that French Canadians be given a separate, independent government.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. Durham recommended uniting the two Canadas and, controversially, assimilating French Canadians — not a separate government.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  4. Who was Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine?

    1. Canada's first Prime Minister
    2. The first head of a responsible government in the Canadas
    3. Canada's first Governor General
    4. The leader of the Upper Canada rebellion
    Show answer

    Answer: The first head of a responsible government in the Canadas. La Fontaine, a champion of democracy and French language rights, became the first head of a responsible government in the Canadas in 1849.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  5. For how long does a Governor General usually serve?

    1. One year
    2. Ten years
    3. Five years
    4. For life
    Show answer

    Answer: Five years. The Governor General is appointed by the Sovereign on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  6. What right is protected by habeas corpus?

    1. The right to vote in elections
    2. The right to go on strike
    3. The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state
    4. The right to own property
    Show answer

    Answer: The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state. Habeas corpus, inherited from English common law, protects against unlawful detention.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  7. Besides Canada and the United States, which country joined the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994?

    1. Mexico
    2. The United Kingdom
    3. France
    4. Japan
    Show answer

    Answer: Mexico. NAFTA added Mexico in 1994, creating one of the world's largest free trade zones.

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  8. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. Senators are appointed, not elected, on the advice of the Prime Minister.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  9. What is the royal anthem of Canada?

    1. O Canada
    2. The Maple Leaf Forever
    3. Vive la Canadienne
    4. God Save the King
    Show answer

    Answer: God Save the King. God Save the King (or Queen) is the royal anthem; O Canada is the national anthem.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  10. Which governor of United Canada introduced responsible government in 1848-49?

    1. Lord Durham
    2. Lord Elgin
    3. Sir Guy Carleton
    4. General Isaac Brock
    Show answer

    Answer: Lord Elgin. Lord Elgin, with encouragement from London, introduced responsible government in 1848-49.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  11. Which chamber of Parliament is elected by voters?

    1. The House of Commons
    2. The Senate
    3. Both the Senate and the House of Commons
    4. Neither chamber
    Show answer

    Answer: The House of Commons. Voters elect the members of the House of Commons; Senators are appointed.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  12. Which lake does Discover Canada call the largest freshwater lake in the world?

    1. Lake Ontario
    2. Lake Superior
    3. Lake Erie
    4. Lake Huron
    Show answer

    Answer: Lake Superior. Lake Superior, one of the five Great Lakes between Ontario and the United States, is the largest freshwater lake in the world.

    Study this in Canada’s regions.

  13. Canada's economy depends mostly on manufacturing exports to Europe.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. Service industries are Canada's largest employer and the United States is by far its largest trading partner.

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  14. What does the phrase "the rule of law" mean?

    1. Judges write all of Canada's laws
    2. No person or group is above the law
    3. The police may act without limits
    4. Laws can never be changed
    Show answer

    Answer: No person or group is above the law. One of Canada's founding principles is that everyone, including governments, is subject to the law.

    Study this in The justice system.

  15. Which document, dating from 1215, is an early source of Canadian liberties such as freedom of conscience?

    1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
    2. The British North America Act
    3. Magna Carta
    4. The Quebec Act
    Show answer

    Answer: Magna Carta. Magna Carta, the Great Charter of Freedoms of 1215, is a root of many liberties later confirmed in Canada.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  16. Who is Canada's head of government?

    1. The Governor General
    2. The Sovereign
    3. The Chief Justice of Canada
    4. The Prime Minister
    Show answer

    Answer: The Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is head of government; the Sovereign is head of state.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  17. Voting in Canadian federal elections is by secret ballot.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. No one but you has the right to know how you voted.

    Study this in Federal elections.

  18. What were the rebels of 1837–38 mainly seeking?

    1. Higher wages for farm workers
    2. Faster progress toward full democracy
    3. A return to French rule
    4. Free land grants
    Show answer

    Answer: Faster progress toward full democracy. Reformers in Upper and Lower Canada believed progress toward full democracy was too slow. Their armed rebellions lacked public support and were defeated; Lord Durham then recommended responsible government.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  19. The Peace Tower is part of which landmark?

    1. Casa Loma in Toronto
    2. The Supreme Court of Canada building
    3. Province House in Halifax
    4. The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa
    Show answer

    Answer: The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. The Peace Tower, completed after the First World War, is the centrepiece of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  20. Canada is part of a group of leading industrialized countries. Which of these countries is also a member of that group?

    1. Japan
    2. Brazil
    3. China
    4. Mexico
    Show answer

    Answer: Japan. Discover Canada names the G8, which included the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan and Russia. Russia has since been suspended and the group now meets as the G7, and Japan is still a member.

    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.