Dates & Core Facts
Q1. Australia Day is observed on…
a) 25 January
b) The last Friday in January
c) 26 January
d) 26 June
c) 26 January
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Q1. The Traditional Owners of the area around Sydney Cove are…
a) Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
b) Noongar people.
c) Kaurna people.
d) Māori iwi.
a) Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
IF THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION, YOU WIN!
Q1. Which activities are most typical for many communities on/around Australia Day?
a) Going door‑to‑door for Halloween sweets.
b) Community barbecues, beach trips, and free concerts.
c) ANZAC Day dawn services.
d) The Melbourne Cup parade.
b) Community barbecues, beach trips, and free concerts.
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Q1. In “Our office will be closed for the public holiday,” public holiday most nearly means…
a) A day when the public can visit government buildings.
b) A local market day.
c) A school excursion day.
d) A national or state day off recognised by law.
d) A national or state day off recognised by law.
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Q1. Who sets the specific public‑holiday arrangements in Australia?
a) States and territories (even for nationally recognised days).
b) Local councils decide all national public holidays alone.
c) The British government.
d) The federal government sets every holiday with no state involvement.
a) States and territories (even for nationally recognised days).
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Q2. Which statement about the public holiday is MOST accurate?
a) It’s a national public holiday, and if 26 January falls on a weekend, it’s usually observed on the following Monday.
b) Only New South Wales and Victoria treat it as a holiday.
c) It is always moved to the nearest Friday.
d) It is not a public holiday anywhere in Australia.
a) It’s a national public holiday, and if 26 January falls on a weekend, it’s usually observed on the following Monday.
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Q2. Which term is used by many First Nations people to refer to 26 January?
a) Celebration Day
b) Union Day
c) Empire Day
d) Invasion Day
d) Invasion Day
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Q2. Which foods are commonly associated with the day?
a) Roast turkey with cranberry sauce.
b) Pavlova and hot cross buns.
c) Snags on the barbie and lamingtons.
d) Samosas and naan as the official national dish.
c) Snags on the barbie and lamingtons.
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Q2. In “This is a contentious issue,” contentious is closest in meaning to…
a) complicated
b) controversial
c) ceremonial
d) unanimous
b) controversial
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Q2. The Australian of the Year awards are usually announced…
a) 26 January at midday.
b) 1 January at midnight.
c) On federal election night.
d) On the evening of 25 January in Canberra.
d) On the evening of 25 January in Canberra.
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Q3. What historical event does 26 January mark?
a) Captain Cook’s 1770 landing at Botany Bay.
b) The first federal election after Federation in 1901.
c) The Eureka Stockade protest in 1854.
d) The First Fleet’s arrival at Sydney Cove and the raising of the British flag in 1788.
d) The First Fleet’s arrival at Sydney Cove and the raising of the British flag in 1788.
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Q3. Which statement best summarises the national debate about the date?
a) Everyone agrees it should always stay on 26 January.
b) For many, it’s a national celebration; for many Indigenous Australians, it’s also a day of mourning because it marks the start of colonisation.
c) The only issue is the fireworks budget.
d) The debate is mostly about the timing in summer, not history.
b) For many, it’s a national celebration; for many Indigenous Australians, it’s also a day of mourning because it marks the start of colonisation.
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Q3. Which sports often feature on/around the day?
a) AFL Grand Final and State of Origin.
b) The Sydney to Hobart yacht race finish.
c) The Super Bowl.
d) Big Bash cricket and the Australian Open tennis.
d) Big Bash cricket and the Australian Open tennis.
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Q3. Which sentence is the most formal way to invite discussion about the date?
a) Let’s argue about the date right now!
b) I reckon we should change the date, yeah?
c) Could we consider discussing alternative dates to make the day more inclusive?
d) The buses will be late because of roadworks.
c) Could we consider discussing alternative dates to make the day more inclusive?
TRIPLE BOMB!
Q3. What’s the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?
a) Anyone can deliver a Welcome to Country if they practise first.
b) Only Elders can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country.
c) A Welcome to Country is given by Traditional Owners; an Acknowledgement can be offered by anyone.
d) Both terms mean the national anthem.
c) A Welcome to Country is given by Traditional Owners; an Acknowledgement can be offered by anyone.
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Q4. Which official ceremonies are most typical on/around Australia Day?
a) The Melbourne Cup horse race.
b) Citizenship ceremonies and the Australian of the Year awards.
c) ANZAC Day dawn services.
d) State and federal elections.
b) Citizenship ceremonies and the Australian of the Year awards.
HALF POINTS!
Q4. What recent approach has been taken regarding citizenship ceremonies near 26 January?
a) The federal government now requires ceremonies only on 26 January.
b) Many councils have cancelled all ceremonies for January.
c) Councils have been given flexibility to hold ceremonies in the week of 23–29 January.
d) Only the Defence Force can now run citizenship ceremonies.
c) Councils have been given flexibility to hold ceremonies in the week of 23–29 January.
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Q4. Which statement about flag etiquette is accurate?
a) The flag may be flown day and night if properly illuminated and treated with respect.
b) The flag must always be flown upside down to show celebration.
c) It must be taken down at sunset in all circumstances.
d) Writing words on the flag is recommended for celebrations.
a) The flag may be flown day and night if properly illuminated and treated with respect.
DOUBLE POINTS!
Q4. Which sentence uses appropriate hedging for a class discussion?
a) Many Australians would argue that the date could be reconsidered.
b) Every Australian thinks the date must change.
c) The date changed years ago.
d) The date is bad.
a) Many Australians would argue that the date could be reconsidered.
DOUBLE FREE POINTS!
Q4. Which practice best follows flag etiquette?
a) Using the national flag as a tablecloth at a barbecue.
b) Ensuring a flag flown at night is illuminated and in good condition.
c) Adding words to the flag for decoration is recommended.
d) Boiling the flag to change its colour shows respect.
b) Ensuring a flag flown at night is illuminated and in good condition.
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Q5. What changed about triple j’s Hottest 100 in relation to 26 January?
a) It still runs on 26 January every year.
b) From 2018 it moved off 26 January, usually to a nearby weekend.
c) It is now broadcast on the Friday before 26 January every year.
d) It was renamed and now runs on 25 December.
b) From 2018 it moved off 26 January, usually to a nearby weekend.
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Q5. Which proposal is often discussed in media and public forums?
a) Changing the date to be more inclusive.
b) Holding two Australia Days, one in January and one in May.
c) Moving the day to 1 January has already been approved by Parliament.
d) Keeping the date but making it a completely apolitical celebration.
a) Changing the date to be more inclusive.
BOMB!
Q5. What typically happens at a citizenship ceremony?
a) New citizens sing the anthem but do not make any pledge.
b) Only people born in Australia can attend.
c) New citizens make the pledge and often receive certificates; many events include a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country.
d) Ceremonies are held only in Parliament House, Canberra.
c) New citizens make the pledge and often receive certificates; many events include a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country.
BONUS 500!
Q5. Which is the most neutral rewrite of “Australia Day is obviously perfect for everyone”?
a) Australia Day is perfect for everyone.
b) Views differ: many celebrate the day, while others see it as a time of mourning.
c) Only uninformed people oppose Australia Day.
d) Australia Day is the only day that matters.
b) Views differ: many celebrate the day, while others see it as a time of mourning.
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Q5. If 26 January falls on a weekend, which statement is most accurate?
a) Most states and territories observe the public holiday on the following Monday.
b) There is no public holiday that year.
c) It automatically moves to the Friday before in every state.
d) Only the Northern Territory receives the day off.
a) Most states and territories observe the public holiday on the following Monday.
BONUS 1,000!