Grade 9 · Social Studies · Unit 6 of 6
Canada, the US & Trade
Trading partners and trade agreements
What your child practises
Imports and exports, tariffs, trade agreements such as CUSMA, how Alberta's industries depend on trade with the United States, and how the two economies are alike and different.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: 9.2 · comparing the Canadian and American economies, and trade between them and the world
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Why do Canadian and American economies respond to each other's economic events?
- They share one currency
- They trade heavily and their businesses and workers are connected
- They have no connection
- They share one prime minister
Show answer
They trade heavily and their businesses and workers are connected
Hint: A slowdown in one country can reduce the sales of the other.
Question 2
A country has more imports than exports. This is called…
- a tariff
- a trade surplus
- a quota
- a trade deficit
Show answer
a trade deficit
Hint: A trade surplus is when exports are greater than imports.
Question 3
If US$1 equals C$1.25, how many Canadian dollars (C$) is US$100 worth?
answer box
Show answer
125
Hint: Multiply by the exchange rate: 100 × 1.25 = 125.
Question 4
A country exports $420 million of goods and imports $340 million. What is its trade balance?
- balanced exactly
- a surplus of $760 million
- a deficit of $80 million
- a surplus of $80 million
Show answer
a surplus of $80 million
Hint: Subtract imports from exports: 420 − 340 = 80. Exports are greater, so it is a surplus.
Question 5
Why might some workers worry about free trade?
- Trade stops all sales
- It closes the border
- It increases all wages
- Their industry may face competition from cheaper imports
Show answer
Their industry may face competition from cheaper imports
Hint: Trade creates winners and losers, so governments sometimes help workers move to new jobs.
Question 6
A product's supply chain crosses the Canada–US border several times. This shows…
- that the economies are separate
- that tariffs do not exist
- that the two economies are closely connected
- that exports cannot happen
Show answer
that the two economies are closely connected
Hint: Many goods, such as cars, have parts made in both countries.