Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Ottawa
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of North American geography by asking for the capital city of Canada. Many learners are familiar with Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal because of their size and popularity, but these are not the capital. For exam purposes, it is important to remember that the political capital of a country may differ from its largest or most famous city. In Canada, the national capital and seat of the federal government is Ottawa.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The key concept here is that the capital city is the administrative and political center of a country, not necessarily its largest or best known city. Canada has several provincial capitals and major metropolitan areas. Ottawa, located in the province of Ontario along the Ottawa River, is the national capital where the Parliament of Canada and the official residence of the Prime Minister are situated. Regina is the capital of the province of Saskatchewan, and Victoria is the capital of the province of British Columbia. None of the above is a distractor, which should not be chosen if you know that Ottawa is correct.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is asking for the capital city of Canada, not for a provincial capital.Step 2: Recall that Ottawa is recognized as the national capital where federal institutions operate.Step 3: Compare Ottawa with Regina and Victoria, remembering that those are provincial capitals in Saskatchewan and British Columbia respectively.Step 4: Eliminate Regina and Victoria as incorrect answers for the national capital.Step 5: Because Ottawa is listed among the options, there is no need to consider None of the above, so choose Ottawa as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done using a school atlas, a reputable online encyclopedia, or Canadian government sources. All official references clearly state that Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. Ottawa is home to major landmarks such as Parliament Hill, federal government buildings, and national museums. Maps often highlight Ottawa with a special symbol to indicate its status as the capital. None of the other options is ever identified as the national capital, confirming that Ottawa is the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Regina is a significant city but serves as the capital of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, not the entire country. Victoria is similarly important but is the capital of British Columbia, a province on the west coast. Both play regional roles but do not host the federal government. None of the above is incorrect because the correct capital, Ottawa, appears explicitly among the options. Therefore, Ottawa is the only answer that correctly matches the question about the capital of Canada.
Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume that the most famous or largest city is also the capital. Many people wrongly believe that Toronto or Montreal must be the capital because of their size and international recognition. Others may confuse provincial capitals with the national capital. To avoid these errors, remember that Ottawa is the political heart of Canada, while other cities are economic, cultural, or provincial centers. Building a mental map that distinguishes between national and provincial capitals will help you answer such questions accurately under exam pressure.
Final Answer:
The capital city of Canada is Ottawa.
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