A red, white and blue pattern with a centre star

A red, white and red pattern with a centre beaver

Canadian-Citizenship Practice Test - Canadian Symbols 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is celebrated on January 11th?

Sir John A. Macdonald Day (Correct answer)
Vimy Day
Victoria Day
Canada Day

Correct answer: Sir John A. Macdonald Day

January 11th is celebrated as Sir John A. Macdonald Day, commemorating the birth of Canada's first Prime Minister. Macdonald was a principal architect of Confederation and played a crucial role in shaping the early Canadian nation, uniting the provinces and establishing key institutions. This day honours his significant historical contributions to the country's formation.

Question 2: Which flag served as the Canadian flag for over 100 years?

The French flag
The Royal flag
The Canadian Red Ensign flag (Correct answer)
The Union Jack

Correct answer: The Canadian Red Ensign flag

Before the adoption of the current Maple Leaf flag in 1965, the Canadian Red Ensign served as Canada's de facto national flag for over a century. It featured the Union Jack in the canton and the Canadian Coat of Arms on the fly, symbolizing Canada's ties to Britain while also representing its distinct identity. It was a widely recognized symbol of Canada until the modern flag was introduced.

Question 3: What is the highest honour that Canadian's can receive?

Order of the British Empire
Purple Cross
Victoria Cross (Correct answer)
Purple Heart

Correct answer: Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration for valour in the Commonwealth, including Canada. It is awarded for 'most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.' It represents the highest honour a Canadian can receive for military gallantry and exceptional courage.

Question 4: When was the National Anthem of Canada proclaimed?

1880
1876
1921
1980 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1980

'O Canada' was officially proclaimed as Canada's national anthem on July 1, 1980, a century after it was first performed in Quebec City in 1880. While it had been widely used and recognized as the de facto anthem for many years, 1980 marked its formal legal adoption. This proclamation solidified its status as a national symbol.

Question 5: What honour system did Canada start using in 1967 to honour its citizens?

Order of the British Empire
Order of the Crown
Medal of the Purple Cross
Order of Canada (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Order of Canada

The Order of Canada is a national honour system established in 1967, the year of Canada's Centennial. It recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation across all sectors of Canadian society. It is the highest civilian honour in Canada, celebrating individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the country.

Question 6: The Crown is a symbol of?

The Courts
Police services and the Canadian Forces
Government, Parliament and legislatures
All the answers are correct (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All the answers are correct

The Crown in Canada is a powerful and multifaceted symbol representing the authority of the state and is integral to all branches of government. It symbolizes the executive (Government), legislative (Parliament and legislatures), and judicial (Courts) branches, as well as the police services and the Canadian Armed Forces. All these institutions derive their authority from the Crown, making it a comprehensive symbol of Canadian governance.

Question 7: Chose the two that are NOT Canadian symbols.

Stars and Stripes, Stanley Cup (Correct answer)
Canadian Crown, Coat of Arms
Maple Leaf, Parliament Buildings
Canadian flag, Fleur-de-Lys

Correct answer: Stars and Stripes, Stanley Cup

The Stars and Stripes is the national flag of the United States, making it distinctly not a Canadian symbol. While the Stanley Cup is a prestigious trophy in ice hockey, a sport deeply ingrained in Canadian culture, it is not considered a national symbol in the same vein as the flag, anthem, or Coat of Arms, which represent the nation itself. The other options are all recognized Canadian national symbols.

Question 8: Canada's flag is:

A red, white and blue pattern with a centre star
A red, white and red pattern with a centre beaver
Red and white stripes only
A red, white and red pattern with a centre mapleleaf (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A red, white and red pattern with a centre mapleleaf

Canada's national flag, often called the Maple Leaf flag, features a prominent red maple leaf in its center. This central white square is flanked by two red vertical stripes on either side. This distinctive design was officially adopted in 1965.

Question 9: What is the championship for the woman's hockey cup called?

The Clarkson Cup (Correct answer)
The Stanley Cup
The Woman's National League Hockey Cup
The Cup

Correct answer: The Clarkson Cup

The Clarkson Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Canadian women's ice hockey league. It is named after Adrienne Clarkson, a former Governor General of Canada, and serves as the equivalent of the Stanley Cup for women's professional hockey.

Question 10: Why does the Canadian flag have the two colors red and white ?

Because the Fathers of Confederation chose those colours
Red and white have been the colours of France and England since the middle ages and Canada's colours since 1921 (Correct answer)
Because they represent the monarchy
Because they represent the Aboriginal and First Nation's people

Correct answer: Red and white have been the colours of France and England since the middle ages and Canada's colours since 1921

The colours red and white have deep historical roots for Canada. They were proclaimed Canada's national colours by King George V in 1921, drawing from the red of the St. George's Cross (England) and the white of the French royal emblem. These colours symbolize the country's British and French heritage.

Question 11: Canada's national anthem begins with which words?

Long live our Queen (King)
O Canada (Correct answer)
God Save the Queen (King)
True patriot love

Correct answer: O Canada

Canada's national anthem is titled 'O Canada.' It officially begins with the words 'O Canada! Our home and native land!' The anthem was originally composed in French in 1880 and later adopted as the national anthem in 1980, with an English version also becoming official.

Question 12: Where does the red-white-red pattern of the flag come from?

The St. George's Cross flag
The French flag
The flag of the Royal Military College (Correct answer)
The Union Jack

Correct answer: The flag of the Royal Military College

The red-white-red pattern on Canada's flag is inspired by the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. This pattern, known as the Canadian Pale, was a key element proposed by the parliamentary committee that designed the current national flag. It provides a strong visual balance for the central maple leaf.

Question 13: When was current day's Canada flag raised?

1921
1945
1965 (Correct answer)
1876

Correct answer: 1965

The current design of Canada's national flag, featuring the red maple leaf, was officially raised on February 15, 1965. This marked a significant moment in Canadian history, as the country adopted its own distinct flag after years of debate and various proposals.

Question 14: Which part of the Parliament building was destroyed by fire in 1916?

The Centre Block (Correct answer)
The Library
The Peace Tower
All of it

Correct answer: The Centre Block

In 1916, a devastating fire destroyed the Centre Block of the Parliament building in Ottawa. This section housed the House of Commons and the Senate chambers. Only the Library of Parliament survived the blaze, thanks to quick-thinking staff who closed its heavy iron doors.

Question 15: Which is incorrect concerning the maple leaf symbol?

It is on the headstone of fallen soldiers both overseas and in Canada
It is on the Union Jack flag (Correct answer)
It was adopted by French-Canadians as a symbol in the 1700's
It has appeared on Canadian unifors since the 1850s

Correct answer: It is on the Union Jack flag

The statement that the maple leaf symbol is on the Union Jack flag is incorrect. The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom and features the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick. It does not incorporate the Canadian maple leaf, which is a distinct Canadian emblem.

Question 16: Which province has adopted the Fleur-de-lys symbol as a part of it own flag?

Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Quebec (Correct answer)
Ontario

Correct answer: Quebec

Quebec is the Canadian province that has adopted the Fleur-de-lys symbol as a central part of its own flag. The flag of Quebec, known as the Fleurdelisé, prominently displays four white fleurs-de-lis on a blue background. This symbol reflects Quebec's French heritage and its historical ties to the French monarchy.

Canadian-Citizenship Practice Test - Canadian Symbols 1

What is celebrated on January 11th?