Modern Canada: practice questions

The 8 questions

Choose your answer, then open “Show answer” to check it and read why.

1. Question 1 of 8

   When did Canada's modern energy industry begin?

   1. With the discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947
   2. With the completion of the CPR in 1885
   3. With Confederation in 1867
   4. With the founding of Hudson's Bay Company in 1670
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   Answer: A. With the discovery of oil in Alberta in 1947

   The 1947 discovery of oil in Alberta launched Canada's modern energy industry.

2. Question 2 of 8

   What is the modern name for unemployment insurance in Canada?

   1. Old Age Security
   2. Employment Insurance
   3. Canada Pension Plan
   4. Social Assistance
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   Answer: B. Employment Insurance

   Unemployment insurance was introduced in 1940 and is now called Employment Insurance (EI).

3. Question 3 of 8

   Who invented the sport of basketball?

   1. Wayne Gretzky
   2. James Naismith
   3. Terry Fox
   4. Michael Ondaatje
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   Answer: B. James Naismith

   Basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith.

4. Question 4 of 8

   What were the Quebec sovereignty referendums of 1980 and 1995?

   1. Votes on joining the United States
   2. Votes on whether Quebec should separate from Canada
   3. Votes on French language rights
   4. Votes on Confederation
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   Answer: B. Votes on whether Quebec should separate from Canada

   Both 1980 and 1995 referendums asked Quebecers whether the province should pursue sovereignty. Both were defeated.

5. Question 5 of 8

   When was unemployment insurance introduced in Canada?

   1. 1927
   2. 1940
   3. 1965
   4. 1982
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   Answer: B. 1940

   Unemployment insurance (now called Employment Insurance) was introduced in 1940.

6. Question 6 of 8

   When did Japanese Canadians gain the right to vote?

   1. 1918
   2. 1948
   3. 1960
   4. 1982
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   Answer: B. 1948

   Japanese Canadians gained the right to vote in 1948. Aboriginal peoples gained the right to vote in 1960.

7. Question 7 of 8

   Which of the following is a famous Canadian writer?

   1. William Shakespeare
   2. Margaret Laurence
   3. Ernest Hemingway
   4. Charles Dickens
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   Answer: B. Margaret Laurence

   Margaret Laurence is a celebrated Canadian writer. Michael Ondaatje is another famous Canadian author.

8. Question 8 of 8

   What is multiculturalism in Canada?

   1. A policy that requires everyone to speak three languages
   2. A defining feature of Canadian identity that celebrates diverse traditions
   3. A law that bans foreign cultural practices
   4. A temporary government program that ended in the 1990s
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   Answer: B. A defining feature of Canadian identity that celebrates diverse traditions

   Multiculturalism is a defining feature of Canadian identity. Canada celebrates the diverse traditions and cultures of its people.