# Federal Elections: practice questions > 10 free practice questions on Federal Elections, based on Discover Canada, each with its answer and an explanation. No signup. - Canonical URL: https://canadatest.ca/practice-questions/federal-elections - Last verified: 2026-10-22 - Based on: Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship (IRCC), https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/discover-canada/read-online.html - Independent; not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Test what you know about federal elections: who can vote, when elections are held, how to vote, how a government is formed, and the role of the Opposition. These practice questions are based on Discover Canada, the official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test. ## The 10 questions ### 1. How are Members of Parliament chosen? A. Appointed by the Prime Minister B. Elected by voters in their local electoral district (riding) C. Selected by provincial premiers D. Appointed by the Governor General Answer: B. Elected by voters in their local electoral district (riding) MPs are elected by voters in their local riding (electoral district). The candidate with the most votes becomes the MP. ### 2. When are federal elections held in Canada? A. On the first Tuesday in November every four years B. On the third Monday in October every four years C. Every five years on July 1 D. On the third Monday in October every five years Answer: B. On the third Monday in October every four years Federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years. The PM may also request an earlier election. ### 3. What is a majority government? A. A government formed by two parties together B. A government holding at least half the seats in the House of Commons C. A government supported by all provinces D. A government appointed by the Senate Answer: B. A government holding at least half the seats in the House of Commons A majority government holds at least half the seats in the House of Commons. A minority government holds fewer than half. ### 4. What is the role of the Official Opposition? A. To choose the Cabinet ministers B. To peacefully oppose or try to improve the government's proposals C. To control the budget D. To appoint Senators Answer: B. To peacefully oppose or try to improve the government's proposals The Official Opposition's role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals. ### 5. What is the National Register of Electors? A. A list of citizenship applicants B. The database used to produce the voters' lists for federal elections C. A list of MPs and Senators D. A list of party members Answer: B. The database used to produce the voters' lists for federal elections The voters' lists used during federal elections and referendums are produced from the National Register of Electors. ### 6. Federal ballots in Canada are: A. Public B. Secret C. Signed D. Verbal Answer: B. Secret Voting in Canadian federal elections is by secret ballot. ### 7. Before election day, each registered voter receives: A. A ballot in the mail B. A voter information card with their polling station location C. A telephone reminder from the PM D. A list of all candidates' platforms Answer: B. A voter information card with their polling station location Registered voters receive a voter information card that tells them where and when to vote. ### 8. What is a minority government? A. A government that represents only minority groups B. A government holding fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons C. A government formed by three or more parties D. A government that only lasts one year Answer: B. A government holding fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons A minority government holds fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons, compared to a majority government which holds at least half. ### 9. You are a permanent resident of Canada, not a citizen. Can you vote in a federal election? A. Yes, all residents can vote B. Yes, after living in Canada for five years C. No, only Canadian citizens can vote in federal elections D. Yes, if you own a home in Canada Answer: C. No, only Canadian citizens can vote in federal elections Only Canadian citizens who are at least 18 and on the voters' list may vote in federal elections. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections. ### 10. After the ballot is marked, the voter places it in: A. An electronic scanner B. A ballot box C. An envelope mailed to Ottawa D. A recycling bin Answer: B. A ballot box After marking the ballot with an X, the voter places it in the ballot box at the polling station. ## More practice - [A free summary of this chapter](https://canadatest.ca/blog/discover-canada-chapter-by-chapter-summary#chapter-7-federal-elections) in the Discover Canada chapter-by-chapter summary - [All 25 questions on this chapter](https://canadatest.ca/pricing) come with a 7-Day or 90-Day Pass - Previous: [How Canadians Govern Themselves practice questions](https://canadatest.ca/practice-questions/how-canadians-govern-themselves) - Next: [The Justice System practice questions](https://canadatest.ca/practice-questions/justice-system) - [Practice questions for every chapter](https://canadatest.ca/practice-questions) --- Next step: [take the free 10-question practice test](https://canadatest.ca/free-practice-test), based on the official Discover Canada guide. No sign-up. Informational only; not legal or immigration advice. 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