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149 questions · Australia and its people

Australia and its people practice questions

This part covers who Australians are: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the history of settlement and migration, the states and territories, and national symbols such as the flags, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and national days.

What this topic covers

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures
  • European settlement, Federation and migration to Australia
  • The states, territories and their capital cities
  • National symbols: flags, coat of arms, colours, gemstone and anthem
  • National days and celebrations such as Australia Day and Anzac Day
Study notes: Australia and its people

Sample questions with answers

  1. 1.What is the capital city of Australia?

    • ASydney
    • BMelbourne
    • CBrisbane
    • DCanberra
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Canberra

    Canberra is Australia’s capital city. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory, between Sydney and Melbourne.

  2. 2.Which statement best describes Australian society today?

    • AA society where migrants are discouraged
    • BA stable and successful multicultural nation
    • COnly one culture is accepted
    • DA society with no connection to the world
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A stable and successful multicultural nation

    Australia has developed into a stable and successful multicultural nation. While we celebrate the diversity of Australia’s people, we also aim to build a cohesive and unified nation.

  3. 3.Which statement about the Torres Strait Islands is correct?

    • AThey are where the First Fleet’s convict ships landed in January 1788
    • BThey are home to Torres Strait Islander peoples, one of Australia’s First Peoples
    • CThey are an island state separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait
    • DThey are where gold was first discovered, starting the 1851 gold rush
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They are home to Torres Strait Islander peoples, one of Australia’s First Peoples

    Torres Strait Islander people are from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Together with Aboriginal peoples, they were Australia’s first inhabitants.

  4. 4.Who were the first people to live in Australia?

    • AAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
    • BConvicts from Great Britain on the First Fleet
    • CChinese migrants who came during the gold rush
    • DFree settlers from Great Britain and Ireland
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

    Australia’s first inhabitants are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world. The archaeological record indicates Aboriginal peoples arrived between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago.

  5. 5.What does the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag represent?

    • AOur history of British settlement
    • BThe six states and territories
    • CStars seen in the southern sky
    • DThe six state capital cities
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The six states and territories

    The Commonwealth Star has seven points: one for each of the six states and one for the territories.