Who had played an important part in building the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)?
Quick answer: Chinese railroad workers. In our practice tests 69% of 102 answers were correct, and the most common mistake is choosing “Acadian railroad workers”.
Why is this the correct answer?
Chinese labourers played a vital role in building the CPR through dangerous mountain terrain in British Columbia. Thousands came from China, and many lost their lives during construction.
Study Tip
The answer can be linked to a significant event in Canadian history that involved immigration and labor. Consider the large group of workers who came from a specific country to help build this railway.
What should you know about this topic?
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was completed in 1885, connecting Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Discover Canada explains that building the railway was a huge challenge and that it was a powerful symbol of national unity. British Columbia had joined Confederation in 1871 on the promise that a railway would link it to the rest of Canada, and the CPR fulfilled that promise. The "last spike" was driven at Craigellachie, British Columbia, in 1885.
Discover Canada notes that European and American investors financed the railway and that it was built by labourers including many Chinese workers. Chinese railway workers did some of the most dangerous work, such as blasting tunnels through the Rocky Mountains, and many died. After the railway was finished, the federal government placed a head tax on Chinese immigrants to discourage them from coming to Canada. The Government of Canada apologized in 2006 for this discriminatory policy.
This question connects to test topics on Confederation, the expansion of Canada westward, the settlement of the Prairies by immigrants, and past injustices that Canada has acknowledged. The railway also helped move troops during the North-West Rebellion of 1885. Remember that the CPR made it possible for millions of people to settle the West and helped create the Canada we know today. Today the CPR is remembered as a great achievement built through the hard work of many people.
Why are the other answers wrong?
- African American slaves: Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834, long before the CPR was built in the 1880s.
- Acadian railroad workers: Acadians are French-speaking descendants of early settlers in the Maritimes; they are not known for building the CPR.
- American railroad engineers: Some American investors and experts were involved, but Discover Canada highlights Chinese workers as having played the important part in building the CPR.
What is the most common mistake?
Some learners pick American engineers because American investors helped finance the CPR. Discover Canada highlights the important role of Chinese railway workers in building it.
How can you remember the answer?
Remember "1885, last spike": the CPR was finished in 1885, and Chinese workers built much of the hardest mountain section in British Columbia.
Original data
How many people get this question right?
69% of 102 practice answers from about 70 people were correct. The most common wrong answer is "Acadian railroad workers", chosen 18% 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 40th hardest of the 167 questions we have enough data to rank. The average for the Canada's History chapter is 68% 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 Canada's History questions.
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Which part of Discover Canada is this question from?
This question is from the Canada's History 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 61 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.