20 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Full Practice Test. Free, no account needed.
Answer: B — It began an 800-year tradition of ordered liberty, and is also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms
Canadian freedoms trace back to an 800-year-old tradition of ordered liberty dating to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 in England, also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms. Source: Discover Canada, "Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship".
Answer: C — The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, which comes from English common law
Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, comes from English common law. Source: Discover Canada, "Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship".
Answer: A — John Cabot, an Italian immigrant to England, in 1497
European exploration began in earnest in 1497 with the expedition of John Cabot, an Italian immigrant to England, who was the first to draw a map of Canada's East Coast, setting foot on Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island and claiming the New Founde Land for England. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — The First Europeans".
Answer: B — The Iroquoian word "kanata", meaning "village"
Jacques Cartier heard two captured guides speak the Iroquoian word kanata, meaning "village." By the 1550s, the name of Canada began appearing on maps. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Exploring a river, naming Canada".
Answer: D — Samuel de Champlain
In 1608 Champlain built a fortress at what is now Québec City. The colonists struggled against a harsh climate, and Champlain allied the colony with the Algonquin, Montagnais and Huron. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Royal New France".
Answer: A — It allowed religious freedom for Catholics and restored French civil law while maintaining British criminal law
The Quebec Act of 1774, one of the constitutional foundations of Canada, allowed religious freedom for Catholics and permitted them to hold public office, and restored French civil law while maintaining British criminal law. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — A tradition of accommodation".
Answer: B — People loyal to the Crown who fled the American Revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec
In 1776 the 13 British colonies declared independence. More than 40,000 people loyal to the Crown, called "Loyalists," fled the oppression of the American Revolution to settle in Nova Scotia and Quebec. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — United empire loyalists".
Answer: C — If the government loses a confidence vote in the assembly, it must resign
Responsible government — the system we have today — means that if the government loses a confidence vote in the assembly it must resign. Nova Scotia was the first British North American colony to attain it, in 1847–48. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Responsible government".
Answer: D — A Métis leader who led two uprisings and is seen by many as the father of Manitoba
Louis Riel led an armed uprising at the Red River in 1869–70 and a second rebellion in 1885. He was executed for high treason, but is seen by many as a hero, a defender of Métis rights and the father of Manitoba. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Challenge in the west".
Answer: B — It was a powerful symbol of unity, fulfilling the promise that brought British Columbia into Canada
British Columbia joined Canada in 1871 after Ottawa promised to build a railway to the West Coast. On November 7, 1885, Donald Smith (Lord Strathcona) drove the last spike — the CPR's "ribbons of steel" fulfilled a national dream and were a powerful symbol of unity. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — A Railway from Sea to Sea".
Answer: A — Manitoba
In 1916, Manitoba became the first province to grant voting rights to women. The founder of the women's suffrage movement in Canada was Dr. Emily Stowe, the first Canadian woman to practise medicine in Canada. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — Women get the vote".
Answer: C — The sacrifices of veterans and the brave fallen in all wars, wearing the red poppy
Canadians remember the sacrifices of our veterans and brave fallen in all wars each year on November 11, Remembrance Day. Canadians wear the red poppy and observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — The First World War".
Answer: B — The Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge, securing the Canadians' reputation for valour as the "shock troops of the British Empire"
The Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge in April 1917, with 10,000 killed or wounded, securing the Canadians' reputation for valour as the "shock troops of the British Empire." One officer said: "In those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day. Source: Discover Canada, "The First World War".
Answer: D — 15,000 Canadian troops stormed and captured Juno Beach in the Allied invasion of Normandy
In the epic invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, 15,000 Canadian troops stormed and captured Juno Beach from the German Army. Approximately one in ten Allied soldiers on D-Day was Canadian. Source: Discover Canada, "Canada's History — The Second World War".
Answer: A — On the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election
Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election. The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections".
Answer: B — The party with the most seats in the House of Commons, whose leader is invited by the Governor General to form the government
Ordinarily, after an election, the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government, and becomes Prime Minister. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections — After an election".
Answer: A — When the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons
If the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is called a majority government; with less than half, it is a minority government. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections — After an election".
Answer: C — To peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals
The parties not in power are the opposition parties; the largest is the Official Opposition (Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition). Their role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals. Source: Discover Canada, "Federal Elections — After an election".
Answer: D — 1980
O Canada was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980. It was first sung in Québec City in 1880. French and English Canadians sing different words to the national anthem. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — National Anthem".
Answer: B — 1965
A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. The red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston, and red and white have been the national colours of Canada since 1921. Source: Discover Canada, "Canadian Symbols — Flags in Canada".