What is the highest military honour a Canadian can receive?
Quick answer: Victoria Cross. In our practice tests 81% of 85 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Badge of Courage”.
Why is this the correct answer?
The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest military honour a Canadian can receive. It is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
Study Tip
The answer is related to a specific historical event and a British monarch. It's a prestigious award that has been given to Canadians for acts of bravery.
What should you know about this topic?
The Victoria Cross (V.C.) is the highest honour a Canadian can receive. It is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. Created by Queen Victoria in 1856 for the British Empire, it has been awarded to more than 90 Canadians since 1854.
Discover Canada highlights several recipients. Lieutenant Alexander Roberts Dunn was the first Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross, for his bravery in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. Able Seaman William Hall of Nova Scotia, whose parents were American slaves, was the first Black person to receive the V.C., for his role at the Relief of Lucknow in India in 1857. Corporal Filip Konowal, born in Ukraine, received it for bravery in 1917. Captain Paul Triquet earned it for leading an attack in Italy in 1943, and Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a pilot, was the last Canadian to receive the V.C. during the Second World War.
Canada created its own version, the Canadian Victoria Cross, in 1993. Canada also has a national system of honours, including the Order of Canada, established in 1967 for Canada's centennial. Related test topics include Remembrance Day, Canada's role in the World Wars, and other Canadian symbols. Canadians wear poppies before Remembrance Day.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Purple Cross: The Purple Cross is not a Canadian military honour. It may be confused with the Purple Heart, which is an American medal.
- Order of Merit: The Order of Merit is a British honour for distinguished service in areas like the arts and science, not Canada's highest military honour.
- Badge of Courage: There is no Canadian military honour with this name. The phrase is linked to an American novel, not to Canada's honours system.
What is the most common mistake?
Learners sometimes confuse the Victoria Cross with the Order of Canada or with honours from other countries. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour; the Order of Canada recognizes lifetime contributions.
How can you remember the answer?
V.C. stands for Victoria Cross and also for Very Courageous.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
81% of 85 practice answers from about 65 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Badge of Courage", chosen 8% of the time. The data covers practice tests on BecomeACitizen.ca from March 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
How hard is this question compared with others?
It is the 84th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Canadian Symbols chapter is 74% correct, and the average across all questions is 75%. You need 75% to pass the real test.
These are practice questions written from the official Discover Canada guide. IRCC does not publish the real test questions. See the full ranking in the 20 most-missed citizenship test questions or browse more Canadian Symbols questions.
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Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Canadian Symbols section of the Canadian citizenship test. The test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official Discover Canada study guide. You need to score at least 75% (15 out of 20 correct) to pass.
This chapter has 24 questions in our database. Studying chapter by chapter is one of the most effective ways to prepare, as it helps you build deep understanding of each topic before moving to the next.
How should you study for the citizenship test?
Start by reading the complete how-to-pass guide, then work through each chapter in the study mode. When you feel ready, take a full exam simulation with the real 45-minute time limit.