TrackMyPRCanadian immigration workspace
Citizenship study / Free practice test 35 of 52

Canadian citizenship practice test 35

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. Which three terms describe Canada's system of government?

    1. A republic, a direct democracy and a union of states
    2. A federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
    3. A unitary state, a presidential democracy and a commonwealth
    4. A confederation, an absolute monarchy and an oligarchy
    Show answer

    Answer: A federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  2. In New France, what were the French fur traders who travelled by canoe and formed close ties with First Nations called?

    1. Voyageurs and coureurs des bois
    2. Habitants
    3. Loyalists
    4. Sons of Liberty
    Show answer

    Answer: Voyageurs and coureurs des bois. The fur trade, driven by the demand for beaver pelts in Europe, was carried on by traders known as voyageurs and coureurs des bois, while the farmers of New France were called habitants.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  3. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms begins with the words: 'Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.'

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. True. The Charter, entrenched in the Constitution in 1982, opens with these words, underlining the importance of religious traditions and the rule of law in Canadian society.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  4. For what is the Victoria Cross, Canada's highest honour, awarded?

    1. Lifetime contributions to Canadian culture
    2. Outstanding public service by elected officials
    3. The most conspicuous bravery, valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy
    4. Excellence in international sport
    Show answer

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

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  5. Who suggested the term 'Dominion of Canada' in 1864?

    1. Sir John A. Macdonald
    2. Sir George-Etienne Cartier
    3. Sir Etienne-Paschal Tache
    4. Sir Leonard Tilley
    Show answer

    Answer: Sir Leonard Tilley. Sir Leonard Tilley suggested the term Dominion of Canada in 1864; he was inspired by Psalm 72, which speaks of dominion 'from sea to sea.'

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  6. The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. What does due process mean?

    1. That the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law
    2. That every trial must have a jury
    3. That all court decisions are final
    4. That judges are elected by the public
    Show answer

    Answer: That the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law. Due process is the principle that the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law.

    Study this in The justice system.

  7. By law, on what schedule are federal general elections normally held?

    1. On the first Tuesday of November every four years
    2. Whenever the Senate demands one
    3. On the third Monday of October every four years following the previous general election
    4. Every five years on Canada Day
    Show answer

    Answer: On the third Monday of October every four years following the previous general election. Federal elections must be held on the third Monday of October every four years following the most recent general election.

    Study this in Federal elections.

  8. The first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross was Alexander Roberts Dunn, for his actions in the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: True. True. Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn was the first Canadian awarded the Victoria Cross, for his actions in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War in 1854.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  9. Which fundamental freedom protects your right to practise your religion?

    1. Freedom of association
    2. Freedom of mobility
    3. Freedom of peaceful assembly
    4. Freedom of conscience and religion
    Show answer

    Answer: Freedom of conscience and religion. Freedom of conscience and religion is one of the fundamental freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  10. Who was Louis Riel?

    1. The engineer who built the Canadian Pacific Railway
    2. A Metis leader who led two uprisings and is seen by many as a defender of Metis rights and the father of Manitoba
    3. The first mayor of Winnipeg
    4. A fur trader who founded the Hudson's Bay Company
    Show answer

    Answer: A Metis leader who led two uprisings and is seen by many as a defender of Metis rights and the father of Manitoba. Louis Riel led two Metis uprisings and was executed in 1885; today many see him as a defender of Metis and minority rights and the father of Manitoba.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  11. Who represents the Sovereign in each of the ten provinces?

    1. A Commissioner
    2. A Senator
    3. The Lieutenant Governor
    4. The Premier
    Show answer

    Answer: The Lieutenant Governor. In each province the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, while in the territories a Commissioner represents the federal government.

    Study this in How Canadians govern themselves.

  12. In 1988, Canada enacted free trade with which country?

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

    Answer: The United States. In 1988 Canada enacted free trade with the United States; the agreement was later expanded in 1994 to include Mexico in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

    Study this in Canada’s economy.

  13. The Centre Block was the only part of the original Parliament Buildings to survive the fire of 1916.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. False. The Centre Block was destroyed by the 1916 fire and later rebuilt; the Library of Parliament is the only part of the original building that remains.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  14. In 1916, which province became the first to grant women the right to vote?

    1. Ontario
    2. Quebec
    3. Manitoba
    4. Nova Scotia
    Show answer

    Answer: Manitoba. In 1916 Manitoba became the first province to grant voting rights to women; most female Canadians could vote in federal elections by 1918.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

  15. Which of the following is described as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity?

    1. Multiculturalism
    2. A single national culture
    3. Compulsory bilingualism for all citizens
    4. A state religion
    Show answer

    Answer: Multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity; Canadians work hard to respect pluralism and live in harmony.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  16. Which court deals with matters concerning the federal government?

    1. The Federal Court of Canada
    2. The Court of Appeal
    3. The Small Claims Court
    4. The Municipal Court
    Show answer

    Answer: The Federal Court of Canada. The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government, while the Supreme Court of Canada is the country's highest court.

    Study this in The justice system.

  17. Canada's coastline touches the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    Answer: False. False. Canada is bounded by three oceans: the Atlantic to the east, the Pacific to the west and the Arctic to the north.

    Study this in Canada’s regions.

  18. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Canadian forces captured which beach in Normandy?

    1. Omaha Beach
    2. Juno Beach
    3. Utah Beach
    4. Sword Beach
    Show answer

    Answer: Juno Beach. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, about 15,000 Canadian troops stormed and captured Juno Beach from the German army during the invasion of Normandy.

    Study this in Canada’s history.

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

    1. 1867
    2. 1927
    3. 1948
    4. 1965
    Show answer

    Answer: 1965. The new Canadian flag with the maple leaf was raised for the first time in 1965; its red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College in Kingston.

    Study this in Canadian symbols.

  20. Which of the following is described in Discover Canada as a noble way to contribute to Canada and an excellent career choice?

    1. Working for a private security company
    2. Serving in the Canadian Forces (navy, army or air force)
    3. Studying military history
    4. Joining a political party
    Show answer

    Answer: Serving in the Canadian Forces (navy, army or air force). Although military service is not compulsory, serving in the regular Canadian Forces or the reserves is described as a noble way to contribute to Canada and an excellent career choice; young people can also serve in the Coast Guard or emergency services.

    Study this in Rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

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.