The whole bank, free
Canadian symbols questions
There are 42 canadian symbols practice questions here, each with its correct answer and an explanation, written from Discover Canada. The real Canadian Citizenship Test is 20 questions in 45 minutes and you need 15 correct to pass. Reading is free and needs no account.
You will learn more by taking a timed test than by reading answers.
1.In which year was the Canadian flag first raised?
- A1965
- B1921
- C1867
- D1876
A new Canadian flag was raised for the first time in 1965. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
2.What appears at the centre of the Canadian flag?
- AA fleur-de-lis
- BA crown
- CA red maple leaf
- DA beaver
The red-white-red pattern of the Canadian flag comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston, founded in 1876. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
3.What is Canada’s best-known symbol?
- AThe fleur-de-lys
- BThe beaver
- CThe Crown
- DThe maple leaf
The maple leaf is Canada's best-known symbol. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
4.Since when have red and white been Canada’s national colours?
- ASince 1867
- BSince the Middle Ages
- CSince 1921
- DSince 1965
Red and white have been the national colours of Canada since 1921. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
5.Where does the flag’s red-white-red pattern come from?
- AThe Canadian Red Ensign, flown for a century
- BThe flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston
- CThe flag Quebec adopted in 1948
- DThe Union Jack, Canada’s official Royal Flag
The red-white-red pattern of the Canadian flag comes from the flag of the Royal Military College, Kingston, founded in 1876. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
6.Which flag is Canada’s official Royal Flag?
- AThe maple leaf flag
- BThe Canadian Red Ensign
- CThe Union Jack
- DThe Royal Arms of Canada
The Union Jack is Canada's official Royal Flag. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
7.For about how long did the Canadian Red Ensign serve as the Canadian flag?
- AAbout 100 years
- BAbout 50 years
- CAbout 20 years
- DAbout 200 years
The Canadian Red Ensign served as the Canadian flag for about 100 years. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
8.When did French Canadians adopt maple leaves as a symbol?
- AIn the 1700s
- BIn the 1850s
- CIn 1965
- DIn 1921
Maple leaves were adopted as a symbol by French Canadians in the 1700s. (The Canadian flag and the maple leaf)
9.What does the Latin motto A mari usque ad mare mean?
- APeace, order and good government
- BOur land
- CFrom sea to sea
- DStrong and free
Canada's national motto is A mari usque ad mare, which in Latin means from sea to sea. (Other Canadian symbols)
10.On which coin does the beaver appear?
- AThe ten-cent coin
- BThe twenty-five-cent coin
- CThe five-cent coin
- DThe one-cent coin
The beaver can be seen on the five-cent coin. (Other Canadian symbols)
11.Which company first adopted the beaver as its symbol?
- AThe Bank of Canada
- BThe Canadian Pacific Railway
- CThe Hudson’s Bay Company
- DThe North West Company
The beaver was adopted centuries ago as the symbol of the Hudson's Bay Company. (Other Canadian symbols)
12.In which year is the fleur-de-lys said to have been adopted by the French king?
- A1534
- B496
- C1608
- D1948
The fleur-de-lys is said to have been adopted by the French king in the year 496. (Other Canadian symbols)
13.In which year did Quebec adopt its own flag?
- A1921
- B1965
- C1948
- D1867
In 1948 Quebec adopted its own flag, based on the Cross and the fleur-de-lys. (Other Canadian symbols)
14.Which symbols does the Canadian coat of arms contain?
- ASymbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland, and red maple leaves
- BA crown, a beaver and an eagle set above a shield
- CA beaver and a single maple leaf, and nothing else
- DThe fleur-de-lys and the Union Jack, and nothing else
The Canadian coat of arms contains symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland as well as red maple leaves. (Other Canadian symbols)
15.When did Canada adopt an official coat of arms and national motto?
- AAt Confederation
- BWhen the Charter of Rights was entrenched
- CWhen the maple leaf flag was first raised
- DAfter the First World War
As an expression of national pride after the First World War, Canada adopted an official coat of arms and a national motto. (Other Canadian symbols)
16.Name two Canadian symbols.
- AThe maple leaf and the beaver
- BThe eagle and the oak
- CThe thistle and the rose
- DThe lion and the unicorn
The Canadian coat of arms contains symbols of England, France, Scotland and Ireland as well as red maple leaves. (Other Canadian symbols)
17.What is the highest honour that Canadians can receive?
- AThe Victoria Cross
- BThe Order of Canada
- CThe Order of Military Merit
- DThe Grey Cup
The Victoria Cross is the highest honour available to Canadians. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
18.How many Canadians have received the Victoria Cross since 1854?
- A196
- B96
- C69
- D9
The Victoria Cross has been awarded to 96 Canadians since 1854. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
19.What is Canada’s national anthem?
- AA mari usque ad mare
- BGod Save the King
- CO Canada
- DThe Maple Leaf Forever
O Canada was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
20.In which year was O Canada proclaimed the national anthem?
- A1880
- B1980
- C1967
- D1965
O Canada was proclaimed as the national anthem in 1980. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
21.Where was O Canada first sung?
- AQuébec City
- BToronto, then the largest city
- COttawa, at the opening of Parliament
- DHalifax, at a naval review
O Canada was first sung in Québec City in 1880. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
22.In which year did Canada start its own honours system with the Order of Canada?
- A1921
- B1980
- C1967
- D1854
Confederation's centennial year, 1967, brought Canada its own honours system, opening with the Order of Canada. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
23.What is the Royal Anthem of Canada?
- AO Canada
- BGod Save the King or Queen
- CThe Maple Leaf Forever
- DVive la Canadienne
The Royal Anthem of Canada can be played or sung on any occasion when Canadians wish to honour the Sovereign. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
24.What does the Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower contain?
- AThe Victoria Crosses awarded to Canadians
- BThe original Constitution
- CThe Books of Remembrance
- DThe Crown Jewels of Canada
The Memorial Chamber within the Peace Tower contains the Books of Remembrance. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
25.In which year was the Peace Tower completed?
- A1927
- B1916
- C1867
- D1922
Completed in 1927, the Peace Tower commemorates the First World War. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
26.Which part of the original Parliament building survived the 1916 fire?
- AThe Senate chamber
- BThe Peace Tower
- CThe Centre Block
- DThe Library
The Library is the only part of the original Parliament building remaining. (Parliament buildings, the anthem and honours)
27.Which language must you know adequately to become a Canadian citizen?
- ABoth English and French
- BEnglish or French
- CEnglish only
- DFrench only
You must have adequate knowledge of English or French to become a Canadian citizen. (Official languages and popular sports)
28.Which adult applicants are exempt from the language requirement?
- AThose born in a Commonwealth country
- BThose aged 65 or over
- CThose aged 45 or over
- DAdult applicants 55 years of age or over
Adult applicants 55 years of age or over are exempted from the language requirement. (Official languages and popular sports)
29.In which year did Parliament pass the Official Languages Act?
- A1867
- B1969
- C1982
- D1963
Parliament passed the Official Languages Act in 1969. (Official languages and popular sports)
30.Which trophy does the National Hockey League play for?
- AThe Clarkson Cup
- BThe Queen’s Cup
- CThe Grey Cup
- DThe Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892. (Official languages and popular sports)
31.Who donated the Stanley Cup, and in which year?
- AAdrienne Clarkson in 2005
- BQueen Victoria in 1867
- CLord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892
- DLord Grey, the Governor General, in 1909
The Stanley Cup was donated by Lord Stanley, the Governor General, in 1892. (Official languages and popular sports)
32.Which sport has the most registered players in Canada?
- ACurling
- BHockey
- CSoccer
- DCanadian football
Soccer has the most registered players of any game in Canada. (Official languages and popular sports)
33.Which sport was introduced to Canada by Scottish pioneers?
- ABasketball
- BSoccer
- CCurling
- DLacrosse
Curling was introduced by Scottish pioneers and is popular in Canada. (Official languages and popular sports)
34.For how long have Anglophones and Francophones lived together in Canada?
- AMore than 800 years
- BMore than 500 years
- CMore than 300 years
- DMore than 150 years
Anglophones and Francophones have lived together in partnership and creative tension for more than 300 years. (Official languages and popular sports)
35.On what date is Canada Day?
- A24 June
- B1 January
- C1 July
- D11 November
Canada Day is July 1. (National holidays and important dates)
36.Which holiday marks the Sovereign’s birthday?
- ACanada Day
- BVimy Day
- CThanksgiving Day
- DVictoria Day
Victoria Day is the Monday preceding May 25 and marks the Sovereign's birthday. (National holidays and important dates)
37.When is Victoria Day?
- AThe first Monday of September
- BThe Monday preceding 25 May
- CThe second Monday of October
- D9 April
Victoria Day is the Monday preceding May 25 and marks the Sovereign's birthday. (National holidays and important dates)
38.On what date is Fête nationale celebrated in Quebec?
- A24 June
- B20 November
- C11 January
- D1 July
Fête nationale in Quebec is June 24, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. (National holidays and important dates)
39.When is Thanksgiving Day in Canada?
- AThe first Monday of September
- BThe second Monday of October
- CThe fourth Thursday of November
- DThe Monday preceding 25 May
Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday of October. (National holidays and important dates)
40.When is Labour Day?
- AThe first Monday of September
- BThe Monday preceding 25 May
- C1 May
- DThe second Monday of October
Labour Day is the first Monday of September. (National holidays and important dates)
41.On what date is Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day?
- A20 November
- B26 December
- C9 April
- D11 January
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Day is November 20. (National holidays and important dates)
42.On what date is Boxing Day?
- A26 January
- B25 December
- C1 January
- D26 December
Christmas Day is December 25 and Boxing Day is December 26. (National holidays and important dates)
Common questions
- How many questions are in the Canadian Citizenship Test?
- The real test is 20 multiple-choice questions with 45 minutes to answer them, and you need 15 correct to pass. This page lists 42 practice questions drawn from the same official material, which is far more than any single sitting will ask you.
- Are these the real Canadian Citizenship Test questions?
- No, and nobody has them. No government publishes its live exam questions. These are written from Discover Canada, the official study guide the real questions are drawn from, so the facts being tested are the same even though the wording is ours.
- Do I need an account to read the questions and answers?
- No. Every question, its correct answer and its explanation is on this page with no signup and no payment. An account only matters if you want your progress saved across devices.
- How should I use the question bank?
- Reading answers is the weakest form of revision. Sit a timed test first to find out which chapters you are losing marks on, then come back here and read only those. Recognition feels like knowledge and is not the same thing.