Quiz answers!

[meg_tdj]

Question #1: What is the main symbol on Canada's national flag?

Okay, so I started you off with an easy one. Everybody knows Canada's all about the maple leaf, right?

*sings boisterously*

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever!
God save our Queen, and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever!

Question #2: What is the capital city of Canada?

Everybody say it with me now... "Toronto is NOT the capital city of Canada." The capital of Ontario, yes... Canada, no. It is, in fact, Ottawa that has that honour. (And yes, honour is spelled with a U. Get over it. :P)

Question #3: One of our most famous Prime Ministers (Brian Mulroney) has a famous son (Ben). What is Ben Mulroney famous for?

LOL at least some of you have been paying attention... Ben Mulroney is the very enthusiastic host of Canadian Idol. He also co-hosts a Canadian entertainment show much like Entertainment Tonight (eTalk Daily), and writes articles for our TV Guide. No political aspirations or sitcoms for him, though. Half the country hates him, half the country loves him, but where would we be without him? *loves Ben*

Question #4: How many provinces are there in Canada?

This was kind of a trick question, heh. There's a difference here between provinces and territories, so even though Canada can be divided into 13 separate entities, only 10 of them are provinces - British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador. (Yes, that last one is one province with two names... long story.)

Question #5: What are Canada's official languages?

This one was tricky, because not everybody knows this - Canada's official languages are English, French, and in a couple of the territories and certain parts of Quebec, an aboriginal language called Inukitut also has official status. If you said "English and French," though, I'll give it to you, since they're the only languages that are official throughout the entire country.

Question #6: What are "the territories"?

Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory, and Nunavut. If you'd never heard of Nunavut before, it's probably because it's a relatively new territory that even stumps a lot of Canadians. ;)

Question #7: What are Canada's two official sports?

Notice I didn't even bother giving you an option without hockey? Haha! A lot of people don't know this, but our official national sports are hockey and lacrosse. Now you know. ;)

Question #8: What is the official "emblem" of Canada?

Nope, it's not our flag! Our official emblem is the beaver, that proud and noble animal we love so much. ;)

I wonder whether Frank and Gordon will become world famous once the Olympics are held here in Canada? They're our Olympic mascots and Bell spokesbeavers who have appeared in dozens of commercials since the last Olympics. They're HILARIOUS. I love them so much!

Question #9: When is Canadian Thanksgiving?

October, folks! Octoooooober... the second Monday in October, to be exact. Earlier harvest and all that. ;)

Question #10: Where does the symbol of our flag appear on Canada's official "wordmark" (Canada logo appearing on everything from knapsacks to gov. buildings)?

Okay, I admit, this one was pretty random. I mean, sure, that logo appears almost everywhere, but who's paying attention to where the flag is? The answer, though, is above the third A. Bonus points to those of you who got that one right. ;)

Question #11: Who is the Queen's representative in Canada?

The Queen can't make it to Canada every time we need to pass a law or hold a ceremony or whatever, so the Queen appoints someone to act on her behalf... and that someone is called the Governor General. Currently the office is held by Michaelle Jean, and before her it was Adrienne Clarkson. I've always been fascinated by the Governor General, because the only time I've really seen them is at Canada Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies when they (I should say "she", since I can't remember the last man who held the title) inspect the guards and stand there while they march past, saluting the Queen by proxy. It's kind of a neat thing to watch. :)

Question #12: Who is Canada's current Prime Minister?

Conservative leader Stephen Harper is our current Prime Minister. Jean Chretien was PM for about 10 years, but he stepped down about 4 years ago. Ben Mulroney is the son of one of our ex-PMs, but has nothing to do with politics himself. ;)

Question #13: How many female Prime Ministers has Canada had?

Yes, we have had a female Prime Minister! Granted, it was only for a few months between Brian Mulroney's retirement and the next election, but still. Answer - one!

Question #14: What is Laura Secord famous for doing?

Oy... American textbooks leave this one out, I see. Seriously, nobody even took a flying leap and guessed that she prevented an invasion? :P

*clears throat, heads into full teacher-mode* Laura Secord was instrumental in preventing an American invasion on the Niagara Peninsula during the War of 1812. After Americans invaded her area in 1814, she was forced to board American soldiers in her home, and she overheard them talking about their plans to lead a surprise attack against Fitzgibbon (Canadian army) at Beaver Dams. Her husband was ill, so she walked alone through enemy-occupied territory for miles until she came across a group of Natives who were allies of Fitzgibbon's. They took her to him, she told him of the American army's plans, and Fitzgibbon was able to plan a defense that resulted in the majority of American soldiers being taken prisoner. Girl frikkin' power. ;)

No wonder we named a chocolate franchise after her, eh? :P

Question #15: Who was Tim Horton?

Dude, seriously... who else would our most popular coffee shops be named after than a hockey player? Goes without saying. ;)

Question #16: When did Canada join in on World War 2?

Believe it or not, we were one of the first to pick up those muskets and head off to war. It was just days after the German invasion in 1939. Britain was invested, so we were, too.

Question #17: What does the word Canada mean?

Haha, I always remember the Part of Our Heritage commercial for this one... the Native guide was gesturing to his camp, saying "Ka-na-da", and the explorer was like, "He's saying the country's name is Canada!" Some random guy with him was going, "Uh, no, I think he means the village..." but nobody would listen to him, LOL! But yes... Canada does, in fact, mean "village" or "settlement." Not really appropriate for the second-largest country in the world, but it sounds good. ;)

Question #18: Up until the 1980's, Canada's official name was much longer. It's sometimes used even today to distinguish modern Canada from the "Upper" and "Lower Canada"s of long ago. What is it?

Canada's official name is The Dominion of Canada, or just Dominion. It came about when one of the early members of Parliament (who was that... Tilley?) was reading a Bible verse that said, "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea." Since this new nation stretched from sea to sea, they felt it was rather appropriate. Made me laugh when I was watching DS9 way back when and the enemy were called "the Dominion," but we're here to talk about history not scifi... *cough*

Question #19: Who was Canada's first Prime Minister?

I'm impressed, most of you got this right... Sir John A. MacDonald was our first Prime Minister. Funny how I know more about George Washington than MacDonald, though...

Question #20: L.M. Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables) was a prolific Canadian writer. Where were the majority of her novels set?

Heh, I don't know why I threw this one in... just to see how many people outside Canada have read Anne of Green Gables, I guess! Most of L.M. Montgomery's books were set in the province of Prince Edward Island, arguably the most beautiful place on the face of the earth.

Question #21: And finally, who won the Battle of Detroit in 1812, with barely any bloodshed?

Oooooh, another one the American textbooks tend to gloss over or leave out altogether. Dude, Canadians kicked BUTT during the War of 1812! We didn't want to be Americanized then, and we still don't now, haha! So no... William Hull did NOT win the Battle of Detroit. It was our very own Isaac Brock who claimed that victory, with hardly a bullet fired. And as David pointed out in the comments to the quiz, I should have mentioned his right-hand man, Tecumseh, who was also instrumental in winning that battle. Come on, people, that's one of the shining moments in Canadian history! We can't gloat about it if you guys don't even know it happened! :P

Comments

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

There's not much to know about MacDonald except that he was a boozer and the first PM to be impeached for suspicious railway contracts.

It's interesting that Canada waited two or three days to declare war because we were taking advantage of our newfound independence from the Statute of Westminster. As a result, George VI was at war with Germany as Britain's head of state and at peace with Germany as Canada's :P

I think the last male G-G was named Romeo something. As for royal visits, her second son will be in town in a couple weeks!

And yes, much love for Frank and Gordon!

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

Romeo? Seriously? Definitely don't remember that...

I'd forgotten Edward is coming to town! It'd be so cool if one of my nieces got to meet him, because my dad got to meet the Queen when he was a kid and she paid a visit to his hometown in England. Nice little family tradition. ;)

[mylittleredgirl.livejournal.com]

SHE INVENTED CHOCOLATE.

THAT IS ALL.

*insists*

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

LOL!! If you say so... ;)

[mylittleredgirl.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your understanding in this delicate matter.

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

Meh, the whole "official language" thing confuses me. It seems like every year there's a new clause put in. :P

I thought the part about the cow was just a myth? 'Tis funny, though. ;)

[procraftinator.livejournal.com]

I so bombed this quiz. I'm glad you're not my history teacher! Actually, if you were I might actually know some history! The two history teachers I had in high school were 1 - a really old guy who would speak without ever stopping to breathe. All I remember from his classes is that the quizzes he had gave you MINUS points if you guessed wrong on a question, so it was actually possible to have a negative result. The other one were short and fat and redheaded. She also liked wearing leather pants. Preferably lime green or orange. She could not finish a sentence. She would say half of one, then go "eeeehhh" and start on something else! Yeah, I was lucky to get a D in those classes, that's for sure.

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

Ugh, what awful people to have as your teachers. I don't understand why more teachers don't make history fun! It's the only way you can really learn it and retain it, imo.

[(Anonymous)]

Love your quiz. I even learned a few things. : ) PEI is indeed quite beautiful. I was born and raised there.

LOL @ your line "We can't gloat about it if you guys don't even know it happened! :P" : )

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

LOL thanks! Wow, you were born and raised on PEI? *is jealous*

[6beforelunch.livejournal.com]

Wow, I did better than I thought. I must have absorbed it through osmosis from the Canadians on my flist. You're all assimilating me. ;)

(I have no Canada icon, but at least Michael Shanks is Canadian. *g*)

[meg-tdj.livejournal.com]

Mwahahahaha... resistance is futile. ;)

I bet that's a Canadian teddy bear, too. :P