Canadian Symbols: Citizenship Test Practice Questions

1. The Order of Canada
2. The Victoria Cross ✓ Correct answer
3. The Star of Military Valour
4. The Governor General's Medal

Why: The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is Canada's highest honour awarded for conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour, or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.

1. English and Inuktitut
2. English and French ✓ Correct answer
3. French and Gaelic
4. English and Spanish

Why: English and French are the two official languages of Canada, established under the Official Languages Act of 1969.

1. The Moose
2. The Beaver ✓ Correct answer
3. The Canada Goose
4. The Polar Bear

Why: The beaver was adopted centuries ago as a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company and trade in Canada. It became an official national symbol in 1975 and appears on the nickel (5-cent piece).

1. Over 400 years ✓ Correct answer
2. About 150 years
3. About 100 years
4. Over 1,000 years

Why: The Crown has been a symbol of the state in Canada for over 400 years.

1. Since 1982, under Queen Elizabeth II
2. Since 1931, under King George V
3. Since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria's reign ✓ Correct answer
4. Since 1763, under King George III

Why: Canada has been a constitutional monarchy in its own right since Confederation in 1867, during Queen Victoria's reign.

1. Queen Elizabeth II
2. Prince William
3. The Governor General
4. King Charles III ✓ Correct answer

Why: King Charles III became King of Canada in 2022, succeeding Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952.

1. Only the House of Commons
2. Only the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
3. Only provincial governments
4. Parliament, courts, police and the armed forces ✓ Correct answer

Why: The Crown symbolizes government, including Parliament, the legislatures, the courts, police services and the Canadian Forces.

1. 1965 ✓ Correct answer
2. 1867
3. 1921
4. 1982

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

1. The Canadian Red Ensign ✓ Correct answer
2. The Union Jack
3. The Fleur-de-lys flag
4. The Royal Military College flag

Why: The Canadian Red Ensign served as the Canadian flag for about 100 years.

1. The Hudson's Bay Company
2. The Royal Military College in Kingston ✓ Correct answer
3. The Parliament of Canada
4. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Why: The red-white-red pattern comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston, founded in 1876.

1. 1921 ✓ Correct answer
2. 1867
3. 1965
4. 1982

Why: Red and white were proclaimed the national colours by King George V in 1921.

1. The Canadian Red Ensign
2. The Maple Leaf flag
3. The Quebec flag
4. The Union Jack ✓ Correct answer

Why: The Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag (the Royal Union Flag).

1. In 496
2. In the 1700s ✓ Correct answer
3. In the 1850s
4. In 1965

Why: The maple leaf was adopted as a symbol by French Canadians in the 1700s.

1. The Royal Union Flag
2. Canadian military uniforms and insignia ✓ Correct answer
3. All provincial flags
4. The five-cent coin

Why: The maple leaf has appeared on Canadian uniforms and insignia since the 1850s and is carved on soldiers' headstones.

1. The beaver
2. The fleur-de-lys
3. The maple leaf ✓ Correct answer
4. The Crown

Why: The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol and is carved into the headstones of fallen soldiers.

1. 1066
2. 1534
3. 1700
4. 496 ✓ Correct answer

Why: The fleur-de-lys (lily flower) was adopted by the French king in 496.

1. About 100 years
2. About 400 years
3. More than 1,000 years ✓ Correct answer
4. About 250 years

Why: The fleur-de-lys was the symbol of French royalty for more than 1,000 years, including in New France.

1. Quebec ✓ Correct answer
2. New Brunswick
3. Manitoba
4. Nova Scotia

Why: Quebec adopted its own flag, based on a cross and the fleur-de-lys, in 1948.

1. Strong and free
2. Peace, order and good government
3. From sea to sea ✓ Correct answer
4. Unity in diversity

Why: Canada's motto, adopted after the First World War, means 'from sea to sea'.

1. England, France, Spain and Portugal
2. England, France, Scotland and Ireland ✓ Correct answer
3. England, the United States, France and Italy
4. Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Netherlands

Why: The arms contain symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, as well as red maple leaves.

1. On currency, government documents and public buildings ✓ Correct answer
2. Only on the Peace Tower
3. Only on military uniforms
4. Only on provincial licence plates

Why: Today the arms appear on currency, government documents and public buildings.

1. In the 1760s
2. In the 1920s
3. In the 1960s
4. In the 1860s ✓ Correct answer

Why: The Parliament Buildings were completed in the 1860s.

1. 1917
2. 1927
3. 1945
4. 1922 ✓ Correct answer

Why: The Centre Block was destroyed by fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1922.

1. The First World War ✓ Correct answer
2. Confederation
3. The War of 1812
4. The Second World War

Why: The Peace Tower was completed in 1927 in memory of the First World War.

1. The Books of Remembrance listing those who died serving Canada ✓ Correct answer
2. The original Constitution Act, 1867
3. The Stanley Cup
4. The Crown Jewels of Canada

Why: The Memorial Chamber contains the Books of Remembrance, with the names of soldiers who died serving Canada.

1. Curling
2. Hockey ✓ Correct answer
3. Skiing
4. Lacrosse

Why: Hockey, developed in Canada in the 1800s, is the national winter sport and most popular spectator sport.

1. A Prime Minister of Canada
2. The first NHL commissioner
3. A Governor General of Canada ✓ Correct answer
4. A famous hockey player

Why: The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892.

1. Prime Minister of Canada
2. Governor General of Canada ✓ Correct answer
3. Olympic hockey coach
4. Premier of Ontario

Why: The Clarkson Cup was established in 2005 by Adrienne Clarkson, the 26th Governor General.

1. Soccer
2. Basketball
3. Baseball
4. Canadian football ✓ Correct answer

Why: Canadian football is the second most popular sport in Canada.

1. Ireland
2. Scotland ✓ Correct answer
3. France
4. England

Why: Curling was introduced to Canada by Scottish pioneers.

1. Lacrosse ✓ Correct answer
2. Soccer
3. Canadian football
4. Baseball

Why: Lacrosse, an ancient sport first played by Aboriginal people, is Canada's official summer sport.

1. Hockey
2. Lacrosse
3. Soccer ✓ Correct answer
4. Curling

Why: Soccer has the most registered players of any game in Canada.

1. The North West Company
2. Research In Motion
3. The Hudson's Bay Company ✓ Correct answer
4. The Canadian Pacific Railway

Why: The beaver was adopted centuries ago as a symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company.

1. The one-dollar coin
2. The two-dollar coin
3. The 25-cent coin
4. The five-cent coin ✓ Correct answer

Why: The beaver appears on the five-cent coin and on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montreal and Toronto.

1. Ontario and Quebec
2. Manitoba and British Columbia
3. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
4. Saskatchewan and Alberta ✓ Correct answer

Why: The beaver is on the coats of arms of Saskatchewan and Alberta and of the cities of Montreal and Toronto.

1. Both English and French
2. English, French and one Aboriginal language
3. English or French ✓ Correct answer
4. Any language spoken in Canada

Why: Applicants aged 18–54 must show adequate knowledge of English or French; those 55 and older are exempt.

1. 1867
2. 1965
3. 1969 ✓ Correct answer
4. 1982

Why: The Official Languages Act was passed in 1969.

1. Making English the only language of the courts
2. Requiring all Canadians to speak both languages
3. Making French the only language of Quebec's schools
4. Establishing equality between French and English in Parliament and the Government of Canada ✓ Correct answer

Why: The Act aims to establish equality of English and French in Parliament and federal institutions, support minority-language communities and promote both languages.

1. 1867
2. 1880
3. 1965
4. 1980 ✓ Correct answer

Why: 'O Canada' was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980.

1. In Ottawa in 1867
2. In Toronto in 1921
3. In Quebec City in 1880 ✓ Correct answer
4. In Montreal in 1980

Why: 'O Canada' was first sung in Quebec City in 1880.

1. Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier
2. Sir Ernest MacMillan
3. Calixa Lavallée ✓ Correct answer
4. Healey Willan

Why: Calixa Lavallée composed the music; the French lyrics were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

1. Calixa Lavallée
2. Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier ✓ Correct answer
3. John McCrae
4. Émile Nelligan

Why: Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, a judge and poet, wrote the original French lyrics.

1. O Canada
2. The Maple Leaf Forever
3. Rule, Britannia
4. God Save the King ✓ Correct answer

Why: The royal anthem, 'God Save the King' (or Queen), can be played or sung on any occasion when Canadians wish to honour the Sovereign.

1. 1867
2. 1917
3. 1967 ✓ Correct answer
4. 1982

Why: Canada used British honours until 1967, when it created the Order of Canada for the centennial of Confederation.

1. Any Canadian ✓ Correct answer
2. Only the Prime Minister
3. Only Members of Parliament
4. Only the Governor General

Why: Any Canadian can nominate a fellow citizen whom they feel deserves recognition.

1. The Victoria Cross ✓ Correct answer
2. The Order of Canada
3. The Stanley Cup
4. The Clarkson Cup

Why: The Victoria Cross is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring act of valour or self-sacrifice.

1. 9
2. 96 ✓ Correct answer
3. 54
4. 196

Why: Discover Canada states that 96 Canadians have been awarded the Victoria Cross since 1854.

1. Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn ✓ Correct answer
2. Able Seaman William Hall
3. Captain Billy Bishop
4. Corporal Filip Konowal

Why: Lt. Alexander Roberts Dunn, born in present-day Toronto, served in the Charge of the Light Brigade and was the first Canadian VC.

1. The Battle of Vimy Ridge, 1917
2. The Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854
3. The Siege of Lucknow, 1857 ✓ Correct answer
4. The Battle of Hill 70, 1917

Why: William Hall, whose parents were American slaves, won the VC at the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

1. Hill 70 ✓ Correct answer
2. Vimy Ridge
3. Amiens
4. Casa Berardi

Why: Konowal showed exceptional courage at Hill 70 in 1917, the first Canadian Corps member not born in the British Empire to win the VC.

1. A navy pilot in the Second World War
2. A tank commander in Italy
3. A flying ace in the First World War ✓ Correct answer
4. A sailor at Lucknow

Why: Flying ace Billy Bishop earned the VC in the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War and was later an honorary Air Marshal.

1. Juno Beach, France
2. Casa Berardi, Italy ✓ Correct answer
3. Dieppe, France
4. Hong Kong

Why: Paul Triquet of Cabano, Quebec, led his men and a few tanks in the attack on Casa Berardi in Italy in 1943.

1. Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray ✓ Correct answer
2. Captain Paul Triquet
3. Captain Billy Bishop
4. General Sir Arthur Currie

Why: Navy pilot Robert Hampton Gray of Trail, B.C., was killed sinking a Japanese warship in August 1945 and was the last Canadian VC recipient.

1. The first Monday of June
2. May 24 every year
3. The last Monday of May
4. The Monday preceding May 25 ✓ Correct answer

Why: Victoria Day, the Sovereign's birthday, is celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25.

1. Canada Day
2. Vimy Day
3. Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day
4. Fête nationale (Feast of Saint John the Baptist) ✓ Correct answer

Why: June 24 is the Fête nationale, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist.

1. The second Monday of October
2. The first Monday of September ✓ Correct answer
3. May 1
4. The last Monday of August

Why: Labour Day is the first Monday of September.

1. The fourth Thursday of November
2. The second Monday of October ✓ Correct answer
3. The first Monday of October
4. The last Monday of September

Why: Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday of October.

1. July 1
2. January 11 ✓ Correct answer
3. November 20
4. April 9

Why: January 11 is Sir John A. Macdonald Day, honouring Canada's first Prime Minister.

1. November 11
2. November 20 ✓ Correct answer
3. January 11
4. June 24

Why: November 20 is Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day, honouring the first French-Canadian Prime Minister since Confederation.

1. December 25
2. January 1
3. December 26 ✓ Correct answer
4. December 31

Why: Boxing Day is December 26, the day after Christmas.

1. Remembrance Day
2. Canada Day ✓ Correct answer
3. Victoria Day
4. Fête nationale

Why: July 1 is Canada Day, marking Confederation in 1867 (formerly called Dominion Day).