Australia and its people. Practice questions
20 questions, no clock, with the answer explained as you go. Use the timed exams when you want to know if you are ready.
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All 20 questions and answers
Every question here was checked by hand against Our Common Bond. How we check
1.On what date did the First Fleet arrive?
- A26 January 1851
- B26 January 1788
- C1 January 1901
- D25 April 1915
European settlement started when the first 11 convict ships, known as the First Fleet, arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788. (Early days of European settlement)
2.Which is the nation’s largest city?
- AMelbourne
- BPerth
- CSydney
- DCanberra
Sydney is the nation's largest city. (The states)
3.Which is Australia’s second largest state?
- AVictoria
- BNew South Wales
- CTasmania
- DQueensland
Queensland is the second largest state. (The states)
4.In which year were the colonies united into the Commonwealth of Australia?
- A1901
- B1788
- C1851
- D1967
In 1901 the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. (The nation of Australia)
5.How many states and mainland territories does Australia have?
- ASix states and six territories
- BFive states and three mainland territories
- CSix states and two mainland territories
- DEight states and no territories
Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories. (States, territories and capital cities)
6.What is Anzac Day named after?
- AThe Australian Defence Force
- BThe Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
- CThe Australian Naval Zone and Army Command
- DThe Anzac Memorial in Sydney
Anzac Day is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. (Anzac Day)
7.Where are Torres Strait Islander people from?
- AIslands in the Bass Strait to the south of Victoria
- BIslands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea
- CIslands lying off the coast of Western Australia
- DIslands of the Southern Ocean lying near Tasmania
Torres Strait Islander people are from islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
8.What does the blue panel in the centre of the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent?
- AThe people
- BThe sky
- CThe sea
- DThe land
The blue panel in the centre of the Torres Strait Islander Flag represents the sea. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)
9.What is the capital city of New South Wales?
- ANewcastle
- BMelbourne
- CCanberra
- DSydney
Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales. (States, territories and capital cities)
10.What is Australia’s capital city?
- ACanberra
- BSydney
- CMelbourne
- DBrisbane
Canberra is Australia's capital city. (States, territories and capital cities)
11.What do the black lines on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent?
- AThe reefs of the Torres Strait
- BNight and day
- CThe shipping routes to Papua New Guinea
- DThe Torres Strait Islander people
The black lines on the Torres Strait Islander Flag represent the Torres Strait Islander people. (The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag)
12.The Melbourne Cricket Ground and the 12 Apostles are icons of which state?
- AVictoria
- BSouth Australia
- CNew South Wales
- DQueensland
Victoria's icons include the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 12 Apostles and the Royal Exhibition Building. (The states)
13.Why are a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country performed?
- ATo open the parliamentary sitting year
- BTo mark the anniversary of federation
- CTo satisfy a legal requirement for public events
- DTo show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
These practices are performed to show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. (Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country)
14.What are the colours of the Australian National Flag?
- AGreen and gold
- BGreen, blue, black and white
- CBlack, red and yellow
- DBlue, white and red
The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red. (The Australian National Flag)
15.Approximately what share of the Australian population is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander?
- AAbout fifteen per cent
- BAbout half of one per cent
- CApproximately three per cent
- DAbout thirty per cent
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up approximately three per cent of the Australian population. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
16.To which new colony were the first convicts transported?
- ASouth Australia
- BQueensland
- CNew South Wales
- DVictoria
The British Government decided to transport convicts to the new colony of New South Wales. (Early days of European settlement)
17.Which icons are in the Northern Territory?
- AUluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- BCradle Mountain and Port Arthur
- CThe Barossa Valley and Flinders Ranges
- DThe Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island
Northern Territory icons include Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. (The territories)
18.What is Australia’s national anthem?
- AWaltzing Matilda
- BGod Save the King
- CI Am Australian
- DAdvance Australia Fair
Australia's national anthem is 'Advance Australia Fair'. (Australia’s national anthem)
19.What is said about the cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- AThey are the newest in the region
- BThey are the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world
- CThey began with the arrival of the First Fleet
- DThey were established after federation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
20.How many distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages does Australia value?
- AExactly 12
- BAbout 30
- CFewer than 10
- DMore than 100
Australia values other languages, including more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. (Language and diversity)