Who are the Acadians?
Quick answer: The descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. In our practice tests 84% of 89 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Aboriginal people of the arctic”.
Why is this the correct answer?
The Acadians are descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. Many were deported in 1755 (the Great Expulsion) but later returned.
Study Tip
The Acadians were a group of people who settled in a specific region of Canada, primarily in the Maritime provinces, and have a distinct cultural identity tied to their French heritage. They have a unique history that is closely tied to the early history of French colonization in North America.
What should you know about this topic?
The Acadians are the descendants of French colonists who began settling in what are now the Maritime provinces in 1604. Their colony, Acadia, was one of the first French settlements in North America, established a few years before Quebec City was founded in 1608.
Discover Canada explains that between 1755 and 1763, during the war between Britain and France, more than two-thirds of the Acadians were deported from their homeland. This event, known as the Great Upheaval, saw thousands of people forced from their farms and communities. Many died, and others were scattered to the American colonies, France and elsewhere. Some eventually settled in Louisiana, where their descendants became known as Cajuns.
Despite this hardship, the Acadians survived and kept their language and culture. Many returned to the Maritimes over time. Today, Acadian communities are found especially in New Brunswick, which is Canada's only officially bilingual province, as well as in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Acadians are proud of their French heritage and continue to contribute to Canada's identity. Related test topics include Canada's official languages, the early history of New France, the war between Britain and France, and the Atlantic Provinces. The Acadian flag, a French tricolour with a gold star, is flown proudly in many Maritime communities, and Acadian music, festivals and food remain strong parts of local culture. Learning about the Acadians helps you understand why French has deep roots across the Atlantic region.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- Aboriginal people of the arctic: This describes the Inuit, who are Indigenous people of the North, not the Acadians.
- French-speaking Catholics living in Ontario: There are francophones in Ontario, but the Acadians come from the Maritime provinces, not Ontario.
- English speaking refugees who settled in Louisiana: Acadians speak French, not English. Some Acadians were deported and settled in Louisiana, but they were not English-speaking refugees.
What is the most common mistake?
Learners sometimes confuse Acadians with Quebecers or with Indigenous peoples. Acadians are French-speaking descendants of early settlers in the Maritimes.
How can you remember the answer?
Acadians came to the Atlantic: A for Acadia and Atlantic, starting in 1604.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
84% of 89 practice answers from about 69 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Aboriginal people of the arctic", 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 67th easiest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Who We Are chapter is 79% 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 Who We Are questions.
Practice This Chapter
Test yourself with questions from Who We Are. Timed mock tests, instant scoring, and detailed explanations.
Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Who We Are 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 43 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.