Grade 5 Social Studies practice sheet
BC Curriculum · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
Question 1
Who leads the federal government of Canada?
🍁- a Mayor
- the Governor General
- a Premier
- the Prime Minister
Show answer
the Prime Minister
Hint: The Prime Minister leads the federal government. Premiers lead provinces and territories, and mayors lead cities and towns.
Question 2
Put the steps for a federal bill becoming a law in order.
- ✋MPs vote to pass the bill
- 🏛️The Senate reviews it and votes
- 📄A bill is introduced in the House of Commons
- 💬MPs debate it and a committee studies it
- ✍️The Governor General gives Royal Assent
Show answer
A bill is introduced in the House of Commons → MPs debate it and a committee studies it → MPs vote to pass the bill → The Senate reviews it and votes → The Governor General gives Royal Assent
Hint: A bill starts in the House of Commons, where it's debated and voted on. Then the Senate reviews it. Royal Assent is always the last step.
Question 3
Section 1 of the Charter says rights can have 'reasonable limits.' Which is an example?
- freedom of expression doesn't protect spreading hatred against a group
- people may practise religion only on weekends
- people must ask permission before having an opinion
- only adults have freedom of thought
Show answer
freedom of expression doesn't protect spreading hatred against a group
Hint: Limits are allowed only when they are fair and needed in a free and democratic society, such as protecting people from hate.
Question 4
Put these events about immigration and citizenship in order, oldest first.
- 🪶The citizenship oath is updated to recognize Indigenous rights
- 📜Canadian citizenship is created by law
- 🌾Canada begins a big campaign to attract settlers to the Prairies
- 🚢Pier 21 opens as an immigration gateway in Halifax
Show answer
Canada begins a big campaign to attract settlers to the Prairies → Pier 21 opens as an immigration gateway in Halifax → Canadian citizenship is created by law → The citizenship oath is updated to recognize Indigenous rights
Hint: Check the years, then put the earliest first. Canadian citizenship is created by law (1947). The citizenship oath is updated to recognize Indigenous rights (2021). Canada begins a big campaign to attract settlers to the Prairies (1896). Pier 21 opens as an immigration gateway in Halifax (1928).
Question 5
Put these events in order, oldest first.
- 🏚️Japanese Canadians are forced from the BC coast
- 💵The Chinese Head Tax begins
- 🧡The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- 🤝Canada apologizes to Japanese Canadians and offers redress
Show answer
The Chinese Head Tax begins → Japanese Canadians are forced from the BC coast → Canada apologizes to Japanese Canadians and offers redress → The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Hint: Check the years, then put the earliest first. Japanese Canadians are forced from the BC coast (1942). The Chinese Head Tax begins (1885). The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (2021). Canada apologizes to Japanese Canadians and offers redress (1988).
Question 6
Ana's grandparents grow canola on their farm. Which region of Canada is this most likely in?
Regions of Canada Region Provinces and territories Key resources and industries West Coast British Columbia forestry, salmon fishing, mining, Pacific ports Prairies Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba wheat and canola farming, oil and gas, potash Central Canada Ontario, Quebec manufacturing, hydroelectricity, maple syrup Atlantic Canada N.L., N.S., N.B., P.E.I. lobster fishing, offshore oil, potato farming The North Yukon, N.W.T., Nunavut diamond and gold mining, tourism - the West Coast
- the North
- Atlantic Canada
- the Prairies
Show answer
the Prairies
Hint: Each region's resources come from its land and water: the Pacific coast, the flat Prairies, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, the Atlantic Ocean, or the far North.
Question 7
Ravi's family needs passports for a trip. Which level of government is responsible for this?
Canada's levels of government Level Leader Elected representatives Looks after (examples) Federal Prime Minister Members of Parliament (MPs) passports, the military, money Provincial or territorial Premier Members of the legislature (MLAs in most provinces) schools, hospitals, highways Municipal Mayor Councillors garbage pickup, local streets, tap water - provincial (the legislature and the Premier)
- municipal (the city or town council)
- federal (Parliament and the Prime Minister)
Show answer
federal (Parliament and the Prime Minister)
Hint: Think about which level of government is responsible. Local services are municipal; schools and health care are provincial; things for the whole country are federal.
Question 8
How does someone usually become Prime Minister?
- by leading the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons
- by being the longest-serving MP
- by being chosen by the Senate
- by winning a separate vote of all Canadians
Show answer
by leading the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons
Hint: Canadians vote for an MP in their riding. The leader of the party with the most MPs usually becomes Prime Minister.
Question 9
The Charter mainly protects you from unfair actions by…
- governments and their laws
- other countries
- your friends
- private businesses
Show answer
governments and their laws
Hint: The Charter applies to governments. Human rights laws in each province and territory protect people from discrimination by businesses and landlords.
Question 10
What is an immigrant?
🧳- a person who moves to a new country to live there
- a person visiting on a short holiday
- a person who never leaves their hometown
- a person who moves to another city in the same country
Show answer
a person who moves to a new country to live there
Hint: Immigrants come from another country to make a new home.
Answer key
- 1. the Prime Minister (Levels of Government)
- 2. A bill is introduced in the House of Commons → MPs debate it and a committee studies it → MPs vote to pass the bill → The Senate reviews it and votes → The Governor General gives Royal Assent (Making Laws)
- 3. freedom of expression doesn't protect spreading hatred against a group (Rights & Freedoms)
- 4. Canada begins a big campaign to attract settlers to the Prairies → Pier 21 opens as an immigration gateway in Halifax → Canadian citizenship is created by law → The citizenship oath is updated to recognize Indigenous rights (Immigration & Multiculturalism)
- 5. The Chinese Head Tax begins → Japanese Canadians are forced from the BC coast → Canada apologizes to Japanese Canadians and offers redress → The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Learning from the Past)
- 6. the Prairies (Regions & Resources)
- 7. federal (Parliament and the Prime Minister) (Levels of Government)
- 8. by leading the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons (Making Laws)
- 9. governments and their laws (Rights & Freedoms)
- 10. a person who moves to a new country to live there (Immigration & Multiculturalism)
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback. See all social studies units.