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Canadian citizenship practice test 23

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. Who represents the Sovereign in Canada at the federal level?

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

    Answer: The Governor General. The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  2. According to the study guide, where are Aboriginal and treaty rights set out?

    1. In municipal bylaws
    2. In the Canadian Constitution
    3. In the Criminal Code only
    4. In provincial regulations
    Show answer

    Answer: In the Canadian Constitution. Aboriginal and treaty rights are in the Canadian Constitution, and the rights guaranteed in the Charter do not adversely affect them.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  3. What is habeas corpus?

    1. The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state
    2. The right to own firearms
    3. The duty to report crimes to the police
    4. The power of the Senate to veto bills
    Show answer

    Answer: The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state. Habeas corpus is the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, a right that comes from English common law.

    Study this in The justice system.

  4. The majority of Métis live in the Prairie provinces, and many traditionally spoke their own dialect, Michif.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. The Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, and most live in the Prairie provinces. They come from both French- and English-speaking backgrounds and speak their own dialect, Michif.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  5. Which explorer's use of the Iroquoian word 'kanata', meaning 'village', led to the name 'Canada'?

    1. John Cabot
    2. Samuel de Champlain
    3. Henry Hudson
    4. Jacques Cartier
    Show answer

    Answer: Jacques Cartier. Jacques Cartier heard two captured guides use the Iroquoian word 'kanata', meaning 'village', and by the 1550s the name Canada began appearing on maps.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  6. After a federal election, which party usually forms the government?

    1. The party chosen by the Senate
    2. The party with the most seats in the House of Commons
    3. The party with the most members in the provincial legislatures
    4. The oldest registered political party
    Show answer

    Answer: The party with the most seats in the House of Commons. After an election, the party with the most seats in the House of Commons is usually invited to form the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister.

    Study this in Federal elections.

  7. Which fundamental freedom in the Charter includes freedom of speech and of the press?

    1. Freedom of peaceful assembly
    2. Freedom of association
    3. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression
    4. Mobility rights
    Show answer

    Answer: Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression includes freedom of speech and of the press.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  8. In what year did most Canadian female citizens aged 21 and over gain the right to vote in federal elections?

    1. 1918
    2. 1927
    3. 1940
    4. 1867
    Show answer

    Answer: 1918. In 1918, most Canadian female citizens aged 21 and over were granted the right to vote in federal elections.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  9. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) serve as the provincial police in Ontario and Quebec.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. The RCMP enforce federal laws across Canada and serve as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec, which have their own provincial forces.

    Study this in The justice system.

  10. Which of the following areas is mainly a responsibility of the provinces?

    1. National defence
    2. Currency
    3. Citizenship
    4. Education
    Show answer

    Answer: Education. The provinces are responsible for areas such as education, health care, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  11. The Victoria Cross, the highest honour available to Canadians, is awarded for what?

    1. Excellence in the arts
    2. The most conspicuous bravery or valour in the presence of the enemy
    3. Long service in Parliament
    4. Outstanding scientific discovery
    Show answer

    Answer: The most conspicuous bravery or valour in the presence of the enemy. The Victoria Cross is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  12. Who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons, in 1921?

    1. Laura Secord
    2. Emily Carr
    3. Agnes Macphail
    4. Thérèse Casgrain
    Show answer

    Answer: Agnes Macphail. Agnes Macphail, a farmer and teacher, became the first woman MP in 1921.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  13. What is the capital city of Canada?

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

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

    Study this in Canada’s regions.

  14. Which of the following does Discover Canada list as a responsibility of citizenship?

    1. Voting in federal, provincial or territorial and local elections
    2. Displaying the flag on your home
    3. Buying only Canadian-made products
    4. Purchasing private health insurance
    Show answer

    Answer: Voting in federal, provincial or territorial and local elections. Voting in elections is on the guide's list of citizenship responsibilities, along with obeying the law, serving on a jury, helping others in the community, and protecting our heritage and environment.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  15. The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. The Peace Tower, part of the Parliament Buildings, was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  16. Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?

    1. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
    2. George-Étienne Cartier
    3. Alexander Mackenzie
    4. Sir John Alexander Macdonald
    Show answer

    Answer: Sir John Alexander Macdonald. Sir John Alexander Macdonald, a Father of Confederation, became Canada's first Prime Minister in 1867.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  17. What is the final step for a bill to become law in Canada?

    1. Royal assent, granted by the Governor General in the Sovereign's name
    2. A national referendum
    3. Approval by the Supreme Court
    4. The signature of the Prime Minister
    Show answer

    Answer: Royal assent, granted by the Governor General in the Sovereign's name. After passing the House of Commons and the Senate, a bill becomes law once it receives royal assent, granted by the Governor General in the Sovereign's name.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  18. In 1994, Canada joined the United States and Mexico in which agreement?

    1. The Commonwealth Charter
    2. The Auto Pact
    3. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
    4. The G7 Accord
    Show answer

    Answer: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In 1994, Canada, the United States and Mexico became partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  19. In a federal election, Canadians vote directly for the Prime Minister.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. Voters elect a member of Parliament for their electoral district; the leader of the party with the most seats usually becomes Prime Minister.

    Study this in Federal elections.

  20. Which ocean lies along Canada's west coast?

    1. The Atlantic Ocean
    2. The Pacific Ocean
    3. The Arctic Ocean
    4. The Indian Ocean
    Show answer

    Answer: The Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean lies along Canada's west coast; the Atlantic is to the east and the Arctic to the north.

    Study this in Canada’s regions.

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.