What song is Canada's national anthem?
Quick answer: O Canada. In our practice tests 89% of 75 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “God Save the King”.
Why is this the correct answer?
"O Canada" is the national anthem. Originally composed in French in 1880, it was officially adopted as Canada's national anthem in 1980 after being sung for 100 years.
Study Tip
The national anthem is a song that is closely tied to Canadian identity and is sung on special occasions. It's a song that is officially recognized by the Canadian government and is a source of national pride.
What should you know about this topic?
"O Canada" is Canada's national anthem. It was proclaimed the official national anthem in 1980, a hundred years after it was first performed in Quebec City in 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, and the original lyrics were written in French by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The English lyrics are based on a version by Robert Stanley Weir.
The anthem is sung in English and French, and the two versions have different words. It is played at sports events, school assemblies, Canada Day celebrations on July 1, and citizenship ceremonies, where new citizens often sing it for the first time as Canadians. Canadians usually stand when it is played as a sign of respect.
Canada also has a royal anthem, "God Save the King," which can be sung or played on occasions honouring the Sovereign. It is not the national anthem. Discover Canada includes the words to both songs. This topic connects to questions about other symbols of Canada, such as the red and white flag adopted in 1965, the maple leaf, the beaver, the Crown, the coat of arms with the motto A mari usque ad mare (from sea to sea), and the two official languages. When you attend your citizenship ceremony, you will take the Oath of Citizenship and then usually sing "O Canada" with other new Canadians.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Amazing Grace: This is a well-known hymn with no official status in Canada.
- God Save the King: This is Canada's royal anthem, used to honour the Sovereign, not the national anthem.
- Star Spangled Banner: This is the national anthem of the United States.
What is the most common mistake?
Some newcomers choose "God Save the King" because it is also played in Canada. That is the royal anthem; "O Canada" is the national anthem.
How can you remember the answer?
The national anthem names the nation: "O Canada."
Original data
How many people get this question right?
89% of 75 practice answers from about 56 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "God Save the King", chosen 11% 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 39th 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.
Practice This Chapter
Test yourself with questions from Canadian Symbols. Timed mock tests, instant scoring, and detailed explanations.
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.