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Rights and Responsibilities: Citizenship Test Practice Questions

Rights and Responsibilities is one of the seven topics in Discover Canada, the official guide every real test question comes from. It covers: The rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, legal and equality rights, and duties such as voting, obeying the law and serving on a jury.

Of the 280 questions in our practice bank, 40 are Rights and Responsibilities questions. On a typical 20-question test you can expect roughly 3 from this topic. Below are 9 sample questions with answers and explanations to show you exactly what to prepare for.

Sample Rights and Responsibilities Questions and Answers

Try each question before expanding the answer. Every question below also appears in one of our free practice tests.

1. What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

AA federal law passed by Parliament in 1967
BA part of the Constitution, entrenched in 1982
CAn international treaty signed with the United Nations
DA provincial agreement between the territories
Show answer and explanation
BA part of the Constitution, entrenched in 1982 (Correct answer)

Explanation

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution of Canada. It was entrenched in the Constitution Act, 1982, and guarantees the rights and freedoms of all people in Canada.

2. From where does habeas corpus originate?

AFrench civil law
BThe United States Constitution
CEnglish common law
DRoman canon law
Show answer and explanation
CEnglish common law (Correct answer)

Explanation

Habeas corpus originates from English common law. This centuries-old legal principle was inherited by Canada through its British legal traditions and ensures that a person cannot be detained without being brought before a judge to determine the lawfulness of their detention.

3. Which of the following is a list of fundamental freedoms in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

ARight to own property, right to bear arms, right to travel, right to work
BFreedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thought and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association
CRight to free healthcare, right to housing, right to employment, right to education
DFreedom from taxation, freedom from military service, freedom from jury duty, freedom from arrest
Show answer and explanation
BFreedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thought and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association (Correct answer)

Explanation

The fundamental freedoms listed in Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are: freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association.

4. What does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms say about Aboriginal Peoples' Rights?

AThe Charter guarantees that rights within it will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoples
BThe Charter gives Aboriginal peoples the right to self-govern without any federal oversight
CThe Charter states that Aboriginal rights are secondary to federal law
DThe Charter does not mention Aboriginal peoples' rights at all
Show answer and explanation
AThe Charter guarantees that rights within it will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoples (Correct answer)

Explanation

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms explicitly states that the rights guaranteed within it shall not be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from any Aboriginal, treaty, or other rights or freedoms that pertain to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. This protection ensures that the Charter strengthens rather than undermines Indigenous rights.

5. What responsibility do citizens have regarding the environment?

AProtecting Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations, and avoiding waste and pollution
BBuilding as many houses as possible on available land
CUsing natural resources as quickly as possible for economic growth
DLeaving environmental protection entirely to the government
Show answer and explanation
AProtecting Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations, and avoiding waste and pollution (Correct answer)

Explanation

Citizens have the responsibility of protecting Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations. This includes avoiding waste and pollution. Environmental stewardship is an important part of Canadian citizenship and ensures that Canada's beauty and resources are preserved.

6. What are the three branches of the Canadian Forces?

ANavy, army and air force
BArmy, marines and air force
CNavy, army and coast guard
DArmy, air force and special forces
Show answer and explanation
ANavy, army and air force (Correct answer)

Explanation

The three branches of the Canadian Forces are the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. These branches work together to defend Canada and contribute to international peace and security.

7. Besides the Canadian Forces, name another way to serve your community.

AJoining a social media group
BCoast guard, police force, or fire department
CStarting a private business
DAttending community festivals
Show answer and explanation
BCoast guard, police force, or fire department (Correct answer)

Explanation

Besides the Canadian Forces, Canadians can serve their community by joining the coast guard, a police force, or a fire department. These services play a vital role in protecting Canadian communities and keeping citizens safe.

8. What does Canada's openness and generosity NOT extend to?

AImmigrants who speak different languages
BBarbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence
CPeople who practise different religions
DCitizens who hold dual citizenship
Show answer and explanation
BBarbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence (Correct answer)

Explanation

Canada's openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, 'honour killings,' female genital mutilation, forced marriage, or other gender-based violence. Those guilty of these crimes are severely punished under Canada's criminal laws.

9. What is the role of volunteering in Canadian citizenship?

AVolunteering is mandatory for all Canadian citizens
BMillions of Canadians donate their time freely to help others without pay, and it is an excellent way to gain useful skills and develop friends and contacts
CVolunteering is only for new immigrants during their first year
DVolunteering is discouraged because it takes away paid employment opportunities
Show answer and explanation
BMillions of Canadians donate their time freely to help others without pay, and it is an excellent way to gain useful skills and develop friends and contacts (Correct answer)

Explanation

Volunteering is a valued part of Canadian citizenship. Millions of Canadians donate their time freely to help others without pay. It is an excellent way to gain useful skills, develop friends and contacts, and contribute to community life. Volunteering is an important Canadian tradition and civic responsibility.

Practise Rights and Responsibilities Until It Sticks

The app has 14 dedicated category tests, so you can practise Rights & Responsibilities questions on their own. All 16 mock exams, every question in 13 languages, and weak-spot tracking, all in the app.

Study This Topic First

Prefer to read before you practise? Our Rights and Responsibilities study guide breaks down everything this part of Discover Canada tests.

Read the Rights and Responsibilities study guide

Take a Full Practice Test

Every full test includes Rights & Responsibilities questions alongside the other six topics, in the same mix as the real exam.

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