Here are the answers to our April quiz on key news topics, plus some additional background information.

1. What is the Emergency Measures Act? 

Answer: d

Additional notes: Prior to 1988 this act was called the War Measures Act. It was enforced during both world wars and the 1970 October crisis by then-Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s father.

2. What does ‘flatten the curve’ mean? 

Answer: a

Additional notes: Flatten the curve is language used to describe reducing the escalation of the spread of Covid-19.

3. Which country ranks as the happiest in the world? 

Answer: c

Additional notes: This was based on a global survey of 156 countries and published by the United Nations.

4. Where does Canada rank in terms of the happiness survey?

Answer: d

Additional notes: The survey ranks how citizens perceive their happiness based on technologies, social norms, conflicts and government policies.

5. When is personal income tax due in 2020? 

Answer: b

Additional notes: Filing of income tax returns has been extended from April 30 to June 1. Paying has been extended to August

6. What is populism? 

Answer: d

Additional notes: Populism has swept the world lately. It is a divisive politics that proposes that the common people are exploited by a privileged elite. Often people are promised that they will have their concerns addressed even when their concerns are wrong — like bringing back coal, for example.

7. Who is Canada’s new ambassador to the United States? 

Answer: b

Additional notes: She was acting ambassador until she was given the permanent job, making her the first woman ever to serve in the role.

8. How many people are vying for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada? 

Answer: a

Additional notes: The verified candidates are Erin O’Toole, Peter MacKay, Leslyn Lewis, and Derek Sloan. A verified candidate has to have raised $200,000, put forward an additional $100,000 as a compliance fee and gathered 3,000 signatures from members.

9. What job did Meghan Markle secure since stepping down from royal duties? 

Answer: c

Additional notes: Markle will do voiceover for Elephant. Apparently she agreed to this in exchange for a donation to the charitable organization Elephants without Borders. According to some media reports both Markle and Prince Harry are being offered voiceovers for the Simpsons.

10. What is the Quarantine Act? 

Answer: d

Additional notes: The federal government implemented the Quarantine Act to protect Canadians from Covid-19.

11. What does it mean to repatriate? 

Answer: a

Additional notes: Currently governments around the world are working to repatriate citizens. This involves bringing them home due to Covid-19.

12. What solar system event takes place April 29, 2020?

Answer: b

Additional notes: A large and potentially hazardous asteroid will come “close” to earth. It has an estimated diameter of 1.8-4.1 kilometres. It will pass 6.3 million km from earth. That’s equal to 16 times the distance between earth and the moon.

Click here to view the questions.