Government and democracy is one of the most tested areas. Practice these 20 questions to strengthen your knowledge. CitizenPass makes mastering this easy — read on, then start practicing for free.
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Practice Questions
1. What are the three parts of Parliament?
A) PM, Cabinet, Senate
B) King, Senate, House of Commons
C) House of Commons, Senate, Supreme Court
D) Governor General, PM, Cabinet
Answer: B — Parliament consists of the King, the Senate, and the House of Commons.
2. Who is the Head of State?
A) The Prime Minister
B) The Governor General
C) The King
D) The Chief Justice
Answer: C — The King is Canada's Head of State.
3. Who represents the King at the federal level?
A) The Prime Minister
B) The Lieutenant Governor
C) The Governor General
D) The Speaker of the House
Answer: C — The Governor General represents the King federally.
4. How many Members of Parliament are in the House of Commons?
A) 105
B) 308
C) 338
D) 350
Answer: C — 338 MPs represent 338 ridings.
5. What is the Senate sometimes called?
A) The Upper House
B) The chamber of sober second thought
C) The Red Chamber
D) All of the above
Answer: D — The Senate is known by all these names.
6. Which is a provincial responsibility?
A) National defense
B) Education
C) Criminal law
D) Immigration policy
Answer: B — Education is a provincial responsibility.
7. What electoral system does Canada use?
A) Proportional representation
B) First-past-the-post
C) Ranked ballot
D) Electoral college
Answer: B — Canada uses first-past-the-post.
8. What is Royal Assent?
A) When the PM approves a law
B) When the Governor General approves a bill, making it law
C) When citizens vote on a referendum
D) When the Supreme Court reviews a law
Answer: B — Royal Assent is the Governor General's approval that makes a bill law.
9. How are Senators appointed?
A) Elected by citizens
B) Chosen by provincial governments
C) Appointed by the Governor General on the PM's advice
D) Appointed by the Supreme Court
Answer: C — Senators are appointed by the GG on the PM's advice.
10. What is a riding?
A) A province
B) An electoral district
C) A political party
D) A senate region
Answer: B — A riding is an electoral district, each represented by one MP.
11. At what age can Canadians vote?
A) 16
B) 18
C) 19
D) 21
Answer: B — Citizens aged 18 and older can vote.
12. Who chooses Cabinet ministers?
A) Citizens vote for them
B) The Senate selects them
C) The Prime Minister chooses them
D) The Governor General appoints them independently
Answer: C — The PM chooses Cabinet ministers.
13. What is a municipal government responsible for?
A) Education
B) Criminal law
C) Local police, roads, and services
D) Immigration
Answer: C — Municipal governments handle local services.
14. Who represents the King in each province?
A) The Premier
B) The Lieutenant Governor
C) The Governor General
D) The MP
Answer: B — Lieutenant Governors represent the King in provinces.
15. How often must federal elections be held?
A) Every 2 years
B) Every 4 years exactly
C) At least every 5 years
D) Every 6 years
Answer: C — Elections must be held at least every 5 years.
16. How is voting conducted in Canada?
A) Online voting
B) Show of hands
C) Secret ballot
D) Public declaration
Answer: C — Voting is by secret ballot.
17. Which is a federal responsibility?
A) Highways
B) Natural resources
C) National defense
D) Property law
Answer: C — National defense is federal; highways and natural resources are provincial.
18. How many justices sit on the Supreme Court of Canada?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 12
Answer: C — The Supreme Court has 9 justices.
19. Who can run for public office in Canada?
A) Any resident over 18
B) Canadian citizens aged 18 and older
C) Permanent residents over 21
D) Any citizen over 21
Answer: B — Canadian citizens aged 18+ can run for office.
20. What does the PM do?
A) Represents the King
B) Heads the federal government and leads Cabinet
C) Presides over the Senate
D) Judges legal disputes
Answer: B — The PM heads the federal government and leads Cabinet.
Score Your Results
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 18-20 | Excellent — government is your strength |
| 14-17 | Good — review the questions you missed |
| 10-13 | Needs work — re-read Chapters 5 and 6 |
| Below 10 | Focus area — spend extra time on government |
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Frequently Asked Questions
1What is the most common government question?
The most frequently asked government questions involve the three parts of Parliament, the role of the Governor General, and the difference between federal and provincial responsibilities.
2Do I need to know the current Prime Minister?
While the test focuses on government structure rather than current officials, knowing the current PM demonstrates civic awareness. Focus more on understanding how the role works.