The Canada Quiz

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Canada Quiz
Image: Getty Images / Moment / Mariano Sayno

About This Quiz

From important figures and cultural stars to the country's history and geography, are you prepared to take this quiz on all things Canadian? Here's the perfect chance to find out, but be warned, you'll have to really know your country if you want to get more than 30 right on this quiz. 

Throughout the years, Canada has differed itself from other countries such as the United States, and it's not just because Canadians are known as some of the nicest people in the world. Everything about Canada has a unique touch, from its colonial beginnings which have a large French and English influence to its current status as a global player in the world, making Canada a country deserving of respect and study. 

Have you taken the time to learn all of the cool ins and outs of Canada? Do you know the most important events that have taken place in the country or the people who made them happen? Do you know everything the country holds dear or the things that have mystified Canadians for decades? 

If you're ready to find out what you really know about Canada, get started with this quiz on the country and prove you're a Canadian expert! 

When did Canada gain its independence?
September 16, 1810
July 1, 1867
December 10, 1898
August 15, 1947
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the 19th century, the future provinces of Canada began to realize that they needed a united government for the region to prosper. They particularly needed a common defense and a national railroad system to strengthen the region as it grew.

Who was the first prime minister of Canada?
Robert Borden
Lester Pearson
John Macdonald
Joe Clark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Macdonald served 19 years as the Prime Minister of Canada. He had an initial run from 1867 until 1973 and was reelected in 1978, serving until 1891.

What's the final line of the English version of "O Canada"?
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we love our country so.
O Canada, we are here to live and grow.
O Canada, our time is now to grow.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are two versions of "O Canada," one written in English and the other in French. The lyrics for the English version were written by Robert Stanley Weir, a lyricist from Montreal.

Advertisement

What's the only country larger than Canada in terms of land?
China
United States
India
Russia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though Canada is the second largest country, it has the longest coastline of any nation in the world. The coastline stretches over 150,000 miles.

An explorer from which European country named Canada?
Britain
Spain
Portugal
France
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada was named by Jacques Cartier, a 16th-century​ French explorer. Cartier famously mapped the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Saint Lawrence River.

Which of these hockey players is from Canada?
Alexander Ovechkin
Viacheslav Fetisov
Wayne Gretzky
Igor Larionov
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known as "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky is regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. Playing in the NHL for 20 seasons, Gretzky holds numerous records including most career goals and assists.

Advertisement

Where is the wrestler Bret Hart from?
Calgary
Toronto
Ottawa
Winnipeg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bret Hart spent most of his professional wrestling career competing in the WWE. He led the promotion after former stars like Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage went elsewhere.

According to folklore, what is the name of the lake monster that lives in Okanagan Lake?
Loch Ness Monster
Ogopogo
Leviathan
Morag
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The legend of Ogopogo comes from the First Nations people of Canada. The story goes that a murderer was cursed by the gods and cast into the lake to live as a "lake demon" for eternity.

The first female to climb Mount Everest was from Canada. What's her name?
Hazel Findlay
Sharon Wood
Shauna Coxsey
Angela Eiter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sharon Wood decided to share her experience as a climber after taking the journey up Mount Everest. Today, she is a motivational speaker who speaks on subjects of leadership and courage.

Advertisement

What is unique about the restaurant in the CN Tower?
The aquarium
The dinner theater
A glass floor
The train
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Opening in 1976, the CN Tower was the tallest building in the world for over three decades. Located in Toronto, the building stands 1,815 feet tall.

Which battle from WWI did Canada famously win?
Battle of Somme
First Battle of the Marne
Second Battle of the Marne
Battle of Vimy Ridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Battle of Vimy Ridge featured all four divisions of the Canadian Corps in an attack for the first time. The battle displayed the offensive capabilities of the Canadian military and helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.

Which of these former NBA MVPs is from Canada?
Steve Nash
Dirk Nowitzki
Kobe Bryant
Tim Duncan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve Nash had his greatest success in the NBA playing for the Phoenix Suns. The Suns originally drafted Nash in 1996, but he spent 1998 through 2004 with the Dallas Mavericks before rejoining the Suns in 2004.

Advertisement

Which sport did a Canadian invent?
Football
Soccer
Golf
Basketball
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Naismith was 30 years old when he founded basketball in 1891. The original game was much different, however, involving nine players on each side of the court and a peach basket as a bucket for scoring.

Which province formed a nation within a nation in 2006?
Quebec
Ontario
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quebec is derived from the Algonquin word "Kebec." It means "where the river narrows," referring to the intersection of the St. Lawrence River and the St. Charles River.

What is the largest lake entirely in Canada?
Lake Huron
Great Bear Lake
Great Slave Lake
Lake Erie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Located in Northwest Canada, Great Bear Lake spends most of the year frozen over. It only thaws out for about four months during the summer.

Advertisement

Which of these country singers is from Canada?
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Shania Twain
Miranda Lambert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the top-selling female artists of all time, Shania Twain released her first studio album in 1993. However, it wasn't until her second album, "The Woman in Me," that she started to have global success.

Which waterfall straddles the border of Canada and the United States?
Iguazu Falls
Angel Falls
Niagara Falls
Athirappilly Falls
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Niagara Falls is actually made up of three separate waterfalls. These include the American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Canadian Falls.

Who was the longest-serving prime minister in Canadian history?
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Paul Martin
John Turner
Robert Borden
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

William Lyon Mackenzie King helped guide Canada through WWII. He was particularly instrumental in mobilizing resources for the war and maintaining morale at home.

Advertisement

Which comic book character did Joe Shuster co-create?
Batman
Superman
Spiderman
Wolverine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Superman is one of the most popular characters in DC Comics. The character is known for his superhuman powers and invulnerability but also for his kind heart and desire to help others.

Which city in Canada is the second largest French-speaking city in the world?
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
Montreal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada is home to over 7 million French-speaking Canadians. In fact, French is actually recognized as an official language in Canada along with English.

What's the highest mountain in Canada?
Mount Lucania
Mount Peak
Mount Saint Elias
Mount Logan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mount Logan is still rising in height due to the process of tectonic plates shifting. The height of the mountain currently sits at 19,551 feet.

Advertisement

Who was the first female prime minister in Canada?
Kim Campbell
Kathleen Wynne
Christy Clark
Rachel Notley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Serving in 1993, Kim Campbell was the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, defeating Jean Charest in the election. She remains the only female to hold the office.

What is the longest highway in Canada?
Queen Elizabeth II Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
Mackenzie Highway
Crowsnest Highway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Trans-Canada Highway stretches across all 10 provinces in Canada, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. The highway runs 4,860 miles.

Located in Canada, what is the northernmost permanent settlement in the world?
Dawson City
Yellowknife
Alert
Inuvik
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Temperatures in Alert have dropped as low as -50C. That makes the conditions cold enough to freeze your eyeballs if they aren't protected.

Advertisement

What is the boundary between Canada and the United States called?
The Southern Border
The International Boundary
The Freedom Boundary
The North American Border
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The boundary between the United States and Canada stretches over 5,500 miles long, including Alaska. It's the longest unprotected border in the world.

Which city in Canada is famous for the Chinook winds?
Calgary
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Montreal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chinook winds occur on the downward slope of a mountain. In Canada, the winds come from the drying of moisture from the Pacific Ocean.

Canada is home to the largest island located in a freshwater lake. What is it?
Isle Royal
Olkhon Island
Soisalo
Manitoulin Island
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Manitoulin Island is located inside Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes splitting the United States and Canada. The island separates Georgian Bay, which was almost classified as a separate lake.

Advertisement

What is the national animal of Canada?
Eagle
Rattlesnake
Beaver
Fox
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beavers are known for their large teeth which they use to gnaw through timber. These teeth continue to grow throughout a beaver's lifetime.

What is the largest territory in Canada?
Newfoundland
Yukon
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nunavut was the last territory to become part of Canada when it was added in 1999. It was the first change to the Canadien map since Newfoundland was incorporated in 1949.

Which of the following is tax deductible in Canada?
Dog food
Funeral costs
Child support
Hobby supplies
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Farmers in Canada aren't afraid of putting animals to work because of the tax benefits they can gain from it. These benefits are even provided for animals who guard crops, such as dogs.

Advertisement

What is the national summer sport of Canada?
Tennis
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Canadien men's national lacrosse team has placed first in the World Lacrosse Championship three times in the team's history. The team's latest championship came in 2014.

Where were the Olympic Games hosted in 2010?
Calgary
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada won 14 gold medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the most of any nation. It was the first time the host nation won the most gold medals since Norway in 1952.

Which Canadian NHL team has the most Stanley Cups?
The Canadiens
Maple Leafs
Senators
Oilers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Canadiens were founded in 1909 by Ambrose O'Brien. The team is currently the longest-running​ professional hockey team in the world.

Advertisement

Located in Canada, what is the oldest golf club in continuous operation in North America?
Cabot Links Golf Course
Red Tail Golf Course
Banff Spring Golf Course
Royal Montreal Golf Club
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1884, the Montreal Golf Course gained the right from Queen Victoria to use the prefix "Royal." Founded only 11 years earlier, the original golf course included nine holes.

Who wrote the novel "Beautiful Joe"?
Margaret Atwood
Alice Munro
Marshall Saunders
Yann Martel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Beautiful Joe" was based on a real dog that lived in Meaford, Ontario. Abused throughout his early life, the novel helped open awareness toward animal cruelty.

You Got:
/35
Getty Images / Moment / Mariano Sayno