Name six responsibilities of citizenship.

What should you know about this topic?

Discover Canada explains that citizenship brings both rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities listed in the guide are: obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, serving on a jury when called, voting in elections, helping others in the community, and protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment. These six are the answer test writers expect.

Obeying the law means no person or group is above it, which reflects the rule of law. Taking responsibility for oneself means getting a job, caring for your family and working hard. Jury duty is a legal obligation; serving on a jury makes the justice system work because accused people have the right to be judged by their peers. Voting is described as both a right and a responsibility, at federal, provincial or territorial and local levels. Helping others includes volunteering. Protecting heritage and the environment means caring for Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations.

Discover Canada also mentions that defending Canada is a duty, although there is no compulsory military service; Canadians can serve in the Canadian Forces, the Coast Guard or police by choice. This topic connects to test questions on rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) and on the oath of citizenship. Many of these duties, like voting and jury service, only become available once you are a citizen, which is one reason citizenship matters so much.

Why are the other answers wrong?

• Caring for the environment, not littering, paying taxes, obeying the law, helping others, respecting others: This list leaves out key responsibilities such as voting, jury duty and responsibility for oneself and family.
• Getting a job, making money, raising a family, paying taxes, mowing your lawn, voting in provincial elections: Mowing a lawn is not a citizenship duty, and voting applies to all levels, not just provincial.
• Voting in municipal elections only, joining a political party, getting a job, obeying the law, driving safely, picking up litter: Joining a party is a choice, not a duty, and voting is not limited to municipal elections.

What is the most common mistake?

Learners often choose an answer with some good items mixed with things that are not official responsibilities, such as mowing the lawn. Look for the list that includes jury duty and voting.

How can you remember the answer?

Use "LOJ VHP": Law, Oneself and family, Jury, Vote, Help others, Protect heritage and environment.